anybodys chickens died because they ate their poop

[sophiesmith]

My younger chickens died of their poo.

 

[leadwolf1]

They didn't die because they ate their poo. They probably died from Coccidiosis. Coccidia is a protozoan that is found in their poop and will kill them if left untreated. All chickens eat poop. You need to keep Corid on hand so that when they start behaving ill, you can treat them for this disease.

 

[sophiesmith]

Ohhhhh.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

Thats what I was going to say, except I use Sulmet it has worked very fast for mine when I brought infection home on a new turkey...

 

[leadwolf1]

Sulmet will only treat a couple strains of Coccidia and is hard on their systems whereas, Corid treats more strains and is much gentler. I'm glad your turkey recovered This is just an FYI in case in the future you run into a strain that sulmet will not treat

 

[sophiesmith]

I get it now. Thank you for the info.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

Sulmet will only treat a couple strains of Coccidia and is hard on their systems whereas, Corid treats more strains and is much gentler. I'm glad your turkey recovered This is just an FYI in case in the future you run into a strain that sulmet will not treat

Oh great I did not know that.. can you get corid at farm stores like you can sulmet? I would love to have some of that on hand.

 

[FuzzyMugz]

I was going to ask the same thing -- I don't think I've ever seen it. Would it be something PetCo would carry? Also, how do you know if your chickens have coccidia? I mean, what are the symptoms? Isn't it normal for them to occasionally have slightly loose poop? And isn't a cecal discharge sort of wetter looking anyway? I'm just wondering how you can keep on the lookout for it without turning into the Jillian McKieth of Chickendom or driving yourself crazy.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

lol,, yes its something like every 10th poo is kind of wet and frothy, its like a total clean up clear out... Keep on the look out for blood in the stool, but be aware that occasionally there will be a pastey redish orange material in the poo which is shed intestinal lining and normal.. Now blood big give away, excessive thirst, constant runny poo

 

[leadwolf1]

Coccidiosis can be deadly before you ever see blood in the droppings. Poofed up feathers, lethargic, general look of illness is more the way to tell. Diarrhea doesn't have to be present. Keep an eye on your chicks. You will learn what their normal behavior is. If they start acting overly tired, poofing up, standing alone, there is something more going on. If there isn't any sign of other illness, sneezing, coughing, runny nose, runny eyes, wheezing, etc...then more than likely you are looking at a case of Coccidiosis. You need to act quickly and start treatment ASAP. I keep Corid in my chicken first aid kit just so I have it when I need it.

You can find Corid at Tractor Supply and plenty of other feed stores also carry it. You may need to look for it in the cattle section. You can also purchase it online. I would get some to have at your disposal...once chickens show signs/symptoms of an illness, they are already extremely ill. Even waiting a day can make the difference between recovery and death. Coccidiosis is deadly but, it is so easily treated! It's a shame to lose babies to it.