Blackhead or Histomoniasis case in Chicken

[dawg53]

So today was the last dose of wormer (valbazen) for Sylvia.  She continues to thrive and is down right mean and bossy to the other girls in her flock. She makes us laugh.  I will tell you this that I never saw one worm on the poop boards after worming 10 birds (twice).  And I somewhat question any infestation with any of them.  I the oocytes I saw on some excrement in the yard...I think, were actually fly eggs and early maggots.   IDK...what to think...  But all I know is Sylvia is better and looks great, strong and keeps us smiling. Hopefully there will be some eggs again soon...but only when she's ready.  :cd

Keep in mind that it's entirely possible that you'll never see a worm in feces after worming. Once the wormer paralyzes or kills the worms, the worms are released from the intestinal lining and then absorbed as protein in the digestive tract.

 

[casportpony]

Keep in mind that it's entirely possible that you'll never see a worm in feces after worming. Once the wormer paralyzes or kills the worms, the worms are released from the intestinal lining and then absorbed as protein in the digestive tract.

X2. And cecal worms are very hard to see.

-Kathy

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Huh...well that's interesting. I just remember worming my dog when she was a pup and seeing a white round worm after her morning duties. I assumed a chicken would slough worms in a similar fashion. That's interesting. Thanks Dawg for posting here. I've read a lot of your posts from other threads when I first started reading up on this mess with Sylvia.

Can you tell me more about the acidified Copper Sulfate and when you should use that. Specific reasons to use it. How often, etc...etc. My chickens are free ranging. Low lying areas surround us. It's been dry the last month or so...now. It's either too wet or too dry around here it seems. I assume it's used as a supplement every once in a while. Does it have other applications for things other than Blackhead?

 

[dawg53]

Huh...well that's interesting.  I just remember worming my dog when she was a pup and seeing a white round worm  after her morning duties. I assumed a chicken would slough worms in a similar fashion.  That's interesting.  Thanks Dawg for posting here.  I've read a lot of your posts from other threads when I first started reading up on this mess with Sylvia.

Can you tell me more about the acidified Copper Sulfate and when you should use that. Specific reasons to use it. How often, etc...etc.  My chickens are free ranging.  Low lying areas surround us.  It's been dry the last month or so...now.  It's either too wet or too dry around here it seems.  I assume it's used as a supplement every once in a while. Does it have other applications for things other than Blackhead?

Acidified copper sulfate is also used as a preventative for canker. Dosage is 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water for 3 days once a month. Eggs are safe to eat.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Thanks, Dawg for the information.

just an update on Sylvia: She started laying eggs 2 weeks ago and is quite regular with it as well. Super impressed with her recovery. seems like she's back on top...and it took no time at all. Thanks all for following our story about Miss Sylvia!

 

[dawg53]

Sylvia is one beautiful hen! She almost looks like a Black Star I had several years ago.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Thanks Dawg...She's a Wyandotte something or other...I saw a barnevelder hen photo here yesterday and wondered if the lackidasical hatchery worker may have mixed up some breeding stock....Anyhow I do wonder about her background...but she is beautiful in her own Heinz 57 way.

 

[casportpony]

She is very pretty, but I don't think she's a Wyandotte simply because she does not have a rosecomb.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyandotte_(chicken)

Glad to hear she is better!

-Kathy

 

[Bogtown Chick]

She was sold to me as a Silver laced Wyandotte. But yes, when I saw her comb develop I knew something else got in that cookie batter...LOL. She's definitely a mutt. I had some initial "hmmphs" and regrets she wasn't more Wyandottish...but after you spend time with these birds you're just glad for their character and differences I think. love her to bits.

 

[Frizzlefraz]

Wow this is great info! Too bad I didn't know this is what my hen had until I did an autopsy :-\
I was suspecting cancer but what I found was caecum extremely enlarged and hard, bigger than the width of my thumb! Filled with hard smelly white substance.
I also found huge amounts of round worms in her intestine.

My question is, if it's gotten to that point is their much chance of recovery? My hen was ill for months but I was treating for the wrong illnesses. She got too cold one night and I ended up killing her as she was almost there and I didn't want her to suffer.