Brown/Yellow poo quite worried

[casportpony]

Regarding that link... Many of those pictures could be from birds with coccidiosis and/or blackhead, they are not normal! Ask yourself this... how could they possibly know that they were normal unless they did a necropsy and/or looked at the poop microscopically?

-Kathy

 

[Phoenixxx]

That's just it. If the droppings are often normal and the bird is active with a good appetite, don't be worried. Keeping a good broad spectrum wormer like Safe guard or Valbazen on hand is wise. The same with Corid, Sulfadimethoxine, some Amoxicillin or Cephalexin caps, a pack of Neomycin and Chlortetracycline powder,  an effective broad spectrum injectible like enrofloxacin (Baytril) being kept in the cabinet. It is better to have those items than not, and even if they expire and you end up throwing some out, you are prepared if problems arise.  Birds drink less in the Winter and stress can be put upon birds during weather extremes. That is why I regularly supplement water with Vitamin-mineral and probiotic dispersible powder at least 3 days a week to keep the immune system strong. I've seen how this benefits birds over the years. Keeping coop environments dry and well ventilated with the absence of drafts makes a big difference too. The yard outside the coop should drain well and not hold areas of stagnant water in between rains.

That's just it. If the droppings are often normal and the bird is active with a good appetite, don't be worried. Keeping a good broad spectrum wormer like Safe guard or Valbazen on hand is wise. The same with Corid, Sulfadimethoxine, some Amoxicillin or Cephalexin caps, a pack of Neomycin and Chlortetracycline powder,  an effective broad spectrum injectible like enrofloxacin (Baytril) being kept in the cabinet. It is better to have those items than not, and even if they expire and you end up throwing some out, you are prepared if problems arise.  Birds drink less in the Winter and stress can be put upon birds during weather extremes. That is why I regularly supplement water with Vitamin-mineral and probiotic dispersible powder at least 3 days a week to keep the immune system strong. I've seen how this benefits birds over the years. Keeping coop environments dry and well ventilated with the absence of drafts makes a big difference too. The yard outside the coop should drain well and not hold areas of stagnant water in between rains.

Thanks! I figured all was well. About all the meds and chemical things, though.... Funny, but growing up we had chickens for 4 years. They weren't in great shape when we got there (the chickens came with the property and were VERY neglected) so my dad fixed that by allowing free range. Not once did we worm or otherwise medicate in those four years (nowhere to get any of that stuff where we were, anyway!) and we maybe lost only one or two to old age/possible sickness the entire time. How come the bulk of the byc community feels these things are so vitally necessary? I can understand if suddenly one has birds dropping dead everywhere, but isn't nature pretty capable in maintaining good health and balance on her own? (With good living conditions, obviously.) Until joining byc, I'd never heard of worming a chicken. I did notice this past summer that my best layer has them. I FREAKED OUT over it but they haven't affected her at all. I did try worming her but the round worms I was seeing apparently aren't actually roundworms at all so the piperazine - the only wormer available at the feed store - didn't work. I will be trying the herbal stuff when it comes in, just 'cause some of the stupid phoenixes don't look that great and I'm sure Tailless wouldn't mind being worm-free as well, lol!

 

[Phoenixxx]

By the way, thank you to... Kathy, I think? ... For posting up all those pics of stuff to get without a prescription and how to use them! I hope I'll never need it but I'm glad to know that this resource is here! Fish meds, eh? Who'da thunk it!

 

[casportpony]

When in doubt, try finding it for fish... So far I've been able to find everything any vet has ever prescribed for me in tablet or powder form that way.

-Kathy

 

[Phoenixxx]

You know, I actually took photos of my one hen's wormy poop and brought them to the vet... They said, sorry, try calling this vet that deals with exotics.... Huh? Since when are chickens an "exotic" pet? I was totally baffled, I tell ya! And when I asked for specific wormers by name, they told me I still had to go to the other guy first. So, as a result, I have absolutely no desire to deal with vets for anything anymore. Thank god for byc! Btw, when I get my stuff from molly's I'll post up results. I think there's someone here who's used it with success (how I found out about it!) and if it really is that good everyone here should know because there's no wasted eggs or toxic chickens with it

 

[Michael Apple]

Thanks! I figured all was well. About all the meds and chemical things, though.... Funny, but growing up we had chickens for 4 years. They weren't in great shape when we got there (the chickens came with the property and were VERY neglected) so my dad fixed that by allowing free range. Not once did we worm or otherwise medicate in those four years (nowhere to get any of that stuff where we were, anyway!) and we maybe lost only one or two to old age/possible sickness the entire time.

How come the bulk of the byc community feels these things are so vitally necessary? I can understand if suddenly one has birds dropping dead everywhere, but isn't nature pretty capable in maintaining good health and balance on her own?

They are necessary because in nature, microorganisms, protozoa, viruses, and parasites exist and have found ways to survive. that is where modern medicine becomes a necessity. If organic methods were always the answer to overcoming disease, modern medicine would be obsolete. The Emergencies, Diseases, and Cures section of the forum is obvious proof of that, alas, some still want to believe there is an organic solution to every disease. They find out the hard way and so do their birds.
(With good living conditions, obviously.) Until joining byc, I'd never heard of worming a chicken. I did notice this past summer that my best layer has them. I FREAKED OUT over it but they haven't affected her at all. I did try worming her but the round worms I was seeing apparently aren't actually roundworms at all so the piperazine - the only wormer available at the feed store - didn't work. I will be trying the herbal stuff when it comes in, just 'cause some of the stupid phoenixes don't look that great and I'm sure Tailless wouldn't mind being worm-free as well, lol!

The herbal concoction likely won't work any better than piperizine and you'll end up wasting money. Fenbendazole will kill all worms except tapeworms in chickens. Albendazole will kill all species of worms. You are probably dealing with capillary worms which can do lots of damage to the intestines. Cecal worms are 1/16-1/8" long, round and tapered at both ends like a little earthworm and can carry the protozoa which causes blackhead (histomoniasis). There are still people who claim they never worm their birds, and they may not experience infestations if they live in cold or hot, dry environments with no wild birds, earthworms, slugs, or snails around. People who raise birds for meat and eggs, and not just ornamental breeds like Pheonix, tend to watch for weight loss, abnormal digestion shown by droppings, or decreased egg production, all of which intestinal worms can cause. Here's some info on intestinal worms: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm015

Here is some info, though a bit outdated, is still accurate when it comes to effective wormers. ivermectin is worthless as a wormer for chickens: http://healthybirds.umd.edu/Disease/Deworming Birds.pdf

Here is another link regarding the specifics of coccidiosis: http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/1138/coccidiosis-control

 

[Phoenixxx]

Thanks. I'd use the quote button but that's a lot to quote, ha ha! I have found out that the worms are apparently tapeworm. They look like little balls that stretch out into tubey things, kinda like a sea cucumber or anemone. I haven't seen any lately (I check poop A LOT!). But as for weight, well, she's a red star so she's got mass for her tiny size but still lays an egg a day that are too big to fit in jumbo cartons!

 

[pwand]

Thanks. I'd use the quote button but that's a lot to quote, ha ha! I have found out that the worms are apparently tapeworm. They look like little balls that stretch out into tubey things, kinda like a sea cucumber or anemone. I haven't seen any lately (I check poop A LOT!). But as for weight, well, she's a red star so she's got mass for her tiny size but still lays an egg a day that are too big to fit in jumbo cartons!

When you see worms in their poop, the birds would have a heavy infestation. Also these organic treatments for worms has been proven non effective. A bird had died and it turned out it was full of worms which killed the bird and the organic approach did nothing for this bird. Unfortunately i cant link it, i don't know where i had seen it. Also everybody including pets and children are at risk at getting worms from the chickens. Its so easy to get. Treat them with what is a good recommended dewormer.

 

[machuni]

That poop looks normal to me. That said, I second using albendazole to deworm them twice a year (once in the fall and once in the spring). You'll notice a difference in their health.

 

[Phoenixxx]

When you see worms in their poop, the birds would have a heavy infestation. Also these organic treatments for worms has been proven non effective. A bird had died and it turned out it was full of worms which killed the bird and the organic approach did nothing for this bird. Unfortunately i cant link it, i don't know where i had seen it. Also everybody including pets and children are at risk at getting worms from the chickens. Its so easy to get. Treat them with what is a good recommended dewormer.

I did look into it - a lot. Molly's formulation seems to have very good proven results so I'm trying that first since I can't easily get the other commercial wormers (except piperazine). I will make sure to observe a fresh poop from the hen that definitely has them so i have a comparison for post-treatment results. I am aware that the buggers are transferable, but children and pets can get them in many other ways as well. I remember I got pinworms once as a child but we did not have chickens at that time and my mom was super-strict about our hygiene (constant handwashing, no sharing cups, etc.) so if it's gonna happen, it'll happen - even if you live in a sealed bubble, I expect!