Chickens with Diarrhea

[ksjones]

Hi, a few of my hens have had diarrhea since May. I’ve tried the Corid treatment with no success. The one that is the sickest has Avery pale comb and is lethargic, but is still eating. I’ve had chickens for eight years and never had any major health issues, just an occasional predator. Please inform what to try next.

 

[coach723]

Have you ever wormed your birds or had a fecal float test done to check for internal parasites? Where are you located, generally, in the world? How old are your hens?

 

[igorsMistress]

Good morning. I'm sorry you're having a problem with your flock. There are a number of things that can cause diarrhea. You don't say where you're located but if it's hot and your flock is drinking more water that can contribute. Watery treats like melons and cukes can do it. Mold in the feed or too many treats also. Since you're seeing it in more than one, have you had their poop checked for worms?

What do you feed? Any stressors lately?

 

[ksjones]

Have you ever wormed your birds or had a fecal float test done to check for internal parasites? Where are you located, generally, in the world? How old are your hens?

No we’ve never wormed our birds. We live in central Texas. Our girls are around 3-4 years old.

 

[ksjones]

Good morning. I'm sorry you're having a problem with your flock. There are a number of things that can cause diarrhea. You don't say where you're located but if it's hot and your flock is drinking more water that can contribute. Watery treats like melons and cukes can do it. Mold in the feed or too many treats also. Since you're seeing it in more than one, have you had their poop checked for worms?

What do you feed? Any stressors lately?

We will have to try a dewormer I guess. We live in Texas. Yes heat is definitely a stresser, but this started in April/May and we have lost two chickens. Really thought the Corid would work. No vets that I know of to have poop tested. I’ve not seen any worms in their poop. Can you suggest how to proceed to deworm them?

 

[coach723]

If you have a vet that will do the test for you, then I would do that. Drinking a lot when it's hot can make the droppings runny, but since it's been going on since May that may be a less likely cause. Corid will treat for coccidiosis, but not the other types of worms they can get. You can use Safeguard Liquid goat wormer, Safeguard horse paste, or Valbazen wormer and dose each bird orally. The Safeguard would be .23 ml per pound of bird weight, and since you don't know what worm it might be then it would be done 5 days in a row. The Valbazen would be .2ml per 2.2 lbs of bird weight (weight in lbs/2.2 X 20mg / 113.6 = dose). Many round to .5 ml for a standard sized bird, you would dose the Valbazen once, and then repeat in 10 days. Safeguard is usually available at Tractor Supplies and feed stores, the Valbazen often needs to be ordered on line, but with Covid many places are out of stock. I had to order my last bottle of Safeguard. Most of the time you will not see worms in the droppings, the test looks for the eggs which are microscopic. Occasionally you might see a roundworm expelled, or tapeworm segments, but not always, and most you will never see at all. Safeguard and Valbazen will take care of most common worms they can get. If you knew it was tapeworm, then a product with praziquantel is most effective for those. If it is worms, then you may or may not see dead or dieing worms in droppings after treatment. Sometimes they are expelled, but sometimes they are just digested. If they don't improve with worming, then other causes will need to be considered. Hens over the age of two are prone to reproductive problems also, and a symptom of that can be droppings built up around the vent feathers.

 

[igorsMistress]

We will have to try a dewormer I guess. We live in Texas. Yes heat is definitely a stresser, but this started in April/May and we have lost two chickens. Really thought the Corid would work. No vets that I know of to have poop tested. I’ve not seen any worms in their poop. Can you suggest how to proceed to deworm them?

It's not a good idea to deworm unless you know what they've got. There's not a single med that will kill everything. I talked to the vet we take our dogs to; they don't treat exotics but they were able to send a sample for testing. Wouldn't hurt to ask.

You can try some probiotics or ACV. I give my flock fermented feed particularly in the warmer months to keep their guts in good shape. Make sure you're limiting treats, about a tablespoon per bird per day max including scratch.

 

[1Crackedmama]

If u can't find anyone to do the worm test around u there's a kit u can get and send off from Amazon maybe this will help u
FECAL Worm Test for All Types of Pets(Dogs, Cats, Birds, Reptiles, Rabbits, Lions, Turtles)(Just Collect Sample and Mail to Our Vet Lab), 8" (h) x 6" (w) x 0. 25 (deep), 6800012 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000J5SOZ4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3KZZXBMZTTGQS5SKC66H?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[AprilsZoo]

It’s always good to have options.

Some people even resort to getting the centrifuge, slides & microscope to learn to do it themselves. It’s not difficult really, to learn what you’re looking for.

The mail away kit is an awesome option, for sure!