Coccidia

[paigemcc]

Hi all!

First time chicken owner and I feel like I’m going through the ringer. At 3 weeks old my chicks all had upper respiratory infection. I lost 1 but the rest survived.

Now we are at week 17 and we have coccidia. I’m so sad and feel like I can’t catch a break already and they haven’t even started laying.

I started Corid today and syringe dosed the ones that were looking the most sick. The rest are drinking the medicated water.

I have sand in my coop so I scooped it out but just dirt in my run. What should I do about “cleaning”? Should I do it towards the end or treatment? Daily? Should I go ahead and cover the run in sand and start scooping it daily? Please any and all advice is welcome!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Eggcessive]

Have you confirmed coccidiosis with a fecal float or a necropsy? What are all of the symptoms? Are you seeing runny droppings with yellow or bloody droppings? What dosage of Corid are your using? Usually coccidiosis strikes earlier from 3-12 weeks or so.

 

[paigemcc]

Have you confirmed coccidiosis with a fecal float or a necropsy? What are all of the symptoms? Are you seeing runny droppings with yellow or bloody droppings? What dosage of Corid are your using? Usually coccidiosis strikes earlier from 3-12 weeks or so.

Not confirmed. They all have bright red, bloody and mucus stool. Lethargic, puffed up, not eating. I am giving 9 mls of corid in 1 gallon of water.

 

[StinkyAcres]

I think the sand may be a problem. Sand doesn't absorb moisture or degrade so the bacteria, etc. just sits in it. Try pine shavings in the coop and coarse wood chips in the run. As long as you don't have too many birds for the size of your coop and there aren't spots that stay soaking wet you shouldn't have to clean it often. You actually want your chicks to be exposed to small amounts of coccidia so they develop an immunity to it.

 

[WildNectarine]

I think the sand may be a problem. Sand doesn't absorb moisture or degrade so the bacteria, etc. just sits in it. Try pine shavings in the coop and coarse wood chips in the run. As long as you don't have too many birds for the size of your coop and there aren't spots that stay soaking wet you shouldn't have to clean it often. You actually want your chicks to be exposed to small amounts of coccidia so they develop an immunity to it.

Pine is toxic due to the scent oils, if you absolutely have to use wood shavings, use aspen, but even then, sand grows less bacteria overall.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Pine is toxic due to the scent oils, if you absolutely have to use wood shavings, use aspen, but even then, sand grows less bacteria overall.

Pine shavings are perfectly safe for chickens.

Maybe sand grows less bacteria but it stinks if not washed. I think people think that spot cleaning the individual poops daily keeps it cleaner than it really does.

 

[WildNectarine]

Pine shavings are perfectly safe for chickens.

Maybe sand grows less bacteria but it stinks if not washed. I think people think that spot cleaning the individual poops daily keeps it cleaner than it really does.

It’s spot clean daily, change out monthly, for the best results.

 

[StinkyAcres]

It’s spot clean daily, change out monthly, for the best results.

Pretty sure most people don't do the latter. Changing out sand must be a pain!

 

[WildNectarine]

Pretty sure most people don't do the latter. Changing out sand must be a pain!

Well, if you want them healthy…

 

[StinkyAcres]

Well, if you want them healthy…

Might as well do deep litter with a compostable material which mimics the forest floor. But that's just my opinion...from a lazy farmer.