Coccidia is killing my flock one by one- tried everything

[BuckNBark Farm]

I think my chickens have had coccidia since day one. They are four months old. I've had them on medicated chick food since I got them at 1 wk. They still have medicated chick feed mixed in the "grownup food". They only went into their new pen about a wk ago. Started out in a brooder that never had chicks in it before. No blood in it- just constant liquid yellow and foul smelling. They all have always acted healthy (knock on wood); but I can't get it under control! I want to try showing one day- but not until this is under control. Oh- I also used Sulmet as directed. Looking at the poop chart, it looks like Ceacal, but they do it every time (how did my words start in bold?) Any way- I rarely, if ever, see any white in the poop like is supposed to be there. frustrating !!

-Pam

 

[seminolewind]

I don't think a chicken can have coccidiosis that long. They die pretty quickly. I would worm them. I would not keep treating them for cocci. With them having medicated feed, I would try some vitamins and nonmedicated feed. I think they've had enough cocci meds for now.

 

[BuckNBark Farm]

I don't think a chicken can have coccidiosis that long. They die pretty quickly. I would worm them. I would not keep treating them for cocci. With them having medicated feed, I would try some vitamins and nonmedicated feed. I think they've had enough cocci meds for now.

Thanks! I will try that. -Pam

 

[seminolewind]

Jarsheart, I have to agree with Pip&Peeps. And most Marek's cases are between 6-12 week. But then there's latent Marek's where they just waste away looking normal up to the last few days. And it does wreck their immune system. I've had some die up to 2 years old. And some up to 8 months old. The young ones show paralysis, the older ones wasting or they have not much immunity from cocci or any bug around. Last summer I lost ten 6-12 week olds and 2 adults. This summer I lost three 4 month olds to overwhelming cocci and bacterial infection.

It would do you good to get a necropsy from a state lab. They are cheaper and know what they're doing.

 

[orangeymom]

I disagree with the other comments. My chickens absolutely have coccidosis and have had it several months. I had them tested so I am sure. I had them on Sulmet and it DOESN'T WORK. My vet said the coccidia develop a resistance to it so he told me to use Corid. Try and see if that helps. I will be trying it on mine. We have lost 7 and may wind up losing the whole flock. Also, we had one necropsied. It took forever for them to get back to me. I took one of our chickens in a month ago and they only sent a report that said it looked like possible parasites. That was it. No real diagnosis. No definative answer. No real help. When I went to the vet it cost $80 but I had my answer the same day. Also, a lot of people will say to use Diatomaceous Earth and Apple Cider Vinegar and all your troubles will melt away... I used those things all the time and I kept my coop and run immaculate and my flock is still dying anyway.

 

[dawg53]

I disagree with the other comments. My chickens absolutely have coccidosis and have had it several months. I had them tested so I am sure. I had them on Sulmet and it DOESN'T WORK. My vet said the coccidia develop a resistance to it so he told me to use Corid. Try and see if that helps. I will be trying it on mine. We have lost 7 and may wind up losing the whole flock. Also, we had one necropsied. It took forever for them to get back to me. I took one of our chickens in a month ago and they only sent a report that said it looked like possible parasites. That was it. No real diagnosis. No definative answer. No real help. When I went to the vet it cost $80 but I had my answer the same day. Also, a lot of people will say to use Diatomaceous Earth and Apple Cider Vinegar and all your troubles will melt away... I used those things all the time and I kept my coop and run immaculate and my flock is still dying anyway.

The reason why the sulmet didnt work was because it only treats 2 types of cocci that chickens can get. Corid treats all 9 types of cocci that chickens can get and is not harsh on the chickens system like sulmet. Additionally sulmet has a 10 day withdrawal period, corid doesnt.
Also keep in mind that all birds have cocci, just like ecoli. When a fecal sample is placed under a microscope and the slide shows a few cocci are present on the slide, that is normal. However, if the slide is loaded with cocci oocysts, then there's a problem and treatment is required. Just like ecoli, it's when it gets out of control is when it needs to be treated.
DE and ACV are useless in treating for cocci. Corid is the way to go.

 

[cowcreekgeek]

I have spent hundreds of dollars at the vet. My silkie chickens are dying one by one of coccidia. I had gone several weeks without a death, then had a sudden death today. He died at the vet in my lap. I have used corid, sulfamet, sulfatrim and still he died. I did not use the two sulfa drugs back to back of course. Any other ideas ? I am down to eight chickens, and can't take much more of this.

I'm sorry for your loss, and apologize for being so unusually brief (the storm caused me a bit of trouble here).

There are resistant forms of nanotodes and other parasites, allegedly as the result of using ivermectin pour on for external parasite control. The vet should have told you exactly which parasites you were dealing with, and if not? Stop going there. <-- period. I'm gonna post a longer list here, 'n come back to this thread when I'm not worried that I'll not get to the submit button before another limb gets to the power lines:

PARASITE (INTERNAL) SOLUTIONS
The following treatments have been shown to be effective for eliminating internal parasites from poultry and game birds. Neither of these drugs (fenbendazole or leviamisole) has been approved for use by FDA, so the producer accepts all responsibility for their use. Both drugs have been very effective if used properly and will eliminate most types of internal parasites that affect birds. Caution: Do not use with birds producing eggs or meat destined for human consumption.
Fenbendazole Treatments
One-day Treatment

1 oz Safeguard or Panacur per 15-20 lb feed​

Dissolve the fenbendazole product in one cup of water. Mix this solution well into the feed and give to the birds as their only feed source for one day. When completely consumed, untreated feed can be given. Be sure that the commercial medication contains 10% fenbendazole.
Safeguard is a product of Ralston Purina, and Panacur is a product marketed by American Hoechst. One ounce of medication will treat about 1000 10-oz bobwhite quail. Adjustments of the amounts of medication and feed needed may be necessary depending on the number and size of the birds.
Three-Day Treatment

1.2 oz Safeguard or Panacur in 100 lb feed
-or-
4 oz pkt of "Worm-A-Rest Litter Pack" (Ralston Purina) in 50 lb feed
-or-
5 lb bag of "Worm-A-Rest Mix Pack" in 495 lb feed​

Feed all the medicated feeds free-choice for three consecutive days. The feed mixtures provide 75 ppm fenbendazole. Quail will receive about 1.7 mg/bird each day for adult birds or 2.75 mg/lb of bodyweight.
Fenbendazole has been shown to be a very effective treatment for eliminating Capillaria (capillary worms), Heterakis (cecal worms), Ascaridia (roundworms), and Syngamus spp. (gapeworms). Toxicity from overdosing with fenbendazole is very remote. Research indicates that amounts up to 100 times the recommended dosages have been given under research conditions without adverse effects to the birds. Use of this product during molt, however, may cause deformity of the emerging feathers.
Leviamisole Solutions

52 gram (1.84 oz) pkt Tramisol in 100 gallons water
-or-
13 gram (.46 oz) pkt Tramisol in 25 gallons water
-or-
52 gram (1.84 oz) pkt in 3 qt water (stock solution)​

Dissolve the 52 gram packet of "Tramisol Cattle and Sheep Wormer" or the 13 gram packet of "Tramisol Sheep Drench Powder" into the appropriate amount of water. If the stock solution is used with a water proportioner, be sure that the stock solution is dispensed at the rate of 1 oz/gallon in the drinking water.
Any of the solutions are effective at treating Capillaria (capillary worms), Heterakis (cecal worms), and Ascaridia (roundworms). The solutions contain .5 gram of leviamisole per gallon of water. Allow the birds to drink the solution for one day, then remove. In severe cases, the treatment can be repeated every 5-7 days.

:: edited :: for clarification purposes ... note the green highlighting, in regard to any fear of harming your chickens by the use of fenbendazole. Also, these treatments were clearly planned for larger scale operations ... doin' a bit of math may be req'd ~'-)

 

[mg15]

I am so sorry for your losses. It sounds absolutely awful.
My girls give me joy too and if this were happening, I just don't know.
Our dog got one of our girls and ohhhhh, brother how awful....
Have you surfed the net about coccidi? I have used the medicated feed
for all the little ones. I hope this will help them.
Mary Grace.
Omaha NE, USA

 

[orangeymom]

Thanks, that definitely explains a lot. I hope it isn't too late for the Corid to save the rest of my flock and I hope it gets here
in time.

 

[dawg53]

Thanks, that definitely explains a lot. I hope it isn't too late for the Corid to save the rest of my flock and I hope it gets here
in time.

It's possible your sick birds may not drink the corid treated water. You'll have use an eyedropperful or syringe without a needle to administer the mixture to your birds. Do this about 4-5 times a day and be careful they dont aspirate when orally dosing them. They should improve and soon be able to drink the treated water by themselves.