Coccidiosis

[Ekemp]

Hello,
We just got our chickens fecal test back, indicating that we need to treat for coccidiosis. I'm a first time chicken mama, so I'm trying to learn quickly how to best treat and protect my birds. For context, we have 7 chickens, all are 14 weeks old. We're going to use liquid corid, and I understand that it needs to be over 5-7 days. I have a few questions about what needs to be done during that time.

We will be emptying out all of the bedding and replace it, and scraping off any poop remaining. Do we need to sanitize the coop in any way or is emptying out and scraping off any poop sufficient?

We have a plain dirt floor in the run. We're planning to scrape off the top layer and compost it. Do we need to do anything else to the ground? Is plain dirt floor a breeding ground for coccidiosis? Should we have done something else/should we do something else for future?

We typically do the deep bedding method in the coop. Do we need to clean it out more frequently during treatment? Or empty, sanitize, and refill once treatment is over?

Does corid need to be prepared each day or can I make a large batch and keep it in the fridge?

This is the worst timing, we are leaving tomorrow for two days to attend my grandmother's memorial. We have very experienced chicken sitters coming to check on them while we're gone, but they have never had to deal with coccidiosis.

Thanks so much!

 

[EdgesideHomesteadTX]

I have unfortunately experienced this also as I'm sure most have. Cleaning the coop as thorough as possible will definitely be a good thing
I have not cleaned my run but if it's bad enough they are listless and feathers puffed out with there heads shrunk in a bit it also wouldn't hurt to scrape the run
I'd nix the deep bedding method for now as a light bedding will be cost effective it needs to be changed daily

And corid in water needs to be prepared daily and fresh for best results sorry for your truloubles and good luck

 

[rosemarythyme]

I would not bother with a deep clean myself as coccidiosis is commonly present in the environment (and in many chickens) and does not pose an issue unless it breeds out of control. I'm wondering if the tests showed that there was an outbreak or how did they come to the conclusion that it needed to be treated? Did you bring in fecal samples because some of the birds were lethargic?

With the Corid since you won't be around I'd make enough Corid water to last the duration of your trip in advance and give the chicken sitters instructions on where to find it (i.e. fridge) and when you want it swapped out.

 

[Ekemp]

I would not bother with a deep clean myself as coccidiosis is commonly present in the environment (and in many chickens) and does not pose an issue unless it breeds out of control. I'm wondering if the tests showed that there was an outbreak or how did they come to the conclusion that it needed to be treated? Did you bring in fecal samples because some of the birds were lethargic?

With the Corid since you won't be around I'd make enough Corid water to last the duration of your trip in advance and give the chicken sitters instructions on where to find it (i.e. fridge) and when you want it swapped out.

Thanks for the reply!! Yes, we saw one red poop last night, and one of our girls, Bernadette, had her tail pointing downward. We decided to keep an eye on it, but this morning Bernadette was still in the coop at 845 (usually everyone runs out as soon as the door opens at 715). We picked her up and brought her out with everyone else, and she was standing still with her eyes closed and tail down, or laying down puffed up. When we checked the coop there were several red mucous-y poops.

We had some odd poops a few weeks ago that were persistent, but testing showed no coccidiosis. This time the vet said the sample was riddled with it, and recommended treatment right away. I honestly thought that Bernadette might be gone by the time we got home, but she's still sticking it out and has drank some corid. I don't think she's eaten though. I've read some people give scrambled eggs to chickens who aren't eating, should I do that?

 

[Ekemp]

I have unfortunately experienced this also as I'm sure most have. Cleaning the coop as thorough as possible will definitely be a good thing
I have not cleaned my run but if it's bad enough they are listless and feathers puffed out with there heads shrunk in a bit it also wouldn't hurt to scrape the run
I'd nix the deep bedding method for now as a light bedding will be cost effective it needs to be changed daily

And corid in water needs to be prepared daily and fresh for best results sorry for your truloubles and good luck

Thank you, I really appreciate you replying! We'll switch off of the deep bedding until they're feeling better.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I honestly thought that Bernadette might be gone by the time we got home, but she's still sticking it out and has drank some corid. I don't think she's eaten though. I've read some people give scrambled eggs to chickens who aren't eating, should I do that?

You can try, to see if she'll eat. Or mix some Corid water into her feed (if it's crumble or pellets) and she might find that enticing, plus it gets a little more amprolium in her system.

If she will eat wet feed in that manner, maybe leave instructions for the chicken sitters to mix some for her.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I agree that a deep clean is not necessary. Treat them all and give the sickest one as much as you can get in her either by putting a more concentrated solution on her beak periodically and letting her drink it that way or making a mash with her food and the corid solution.

 

[Ekemp]

You can try, to see if she'll eat. Or mix some Corid water into her feed (if it's crumble or pellets) and she might find that enticing, plus it gets a little more amprolium in her system.

If she will eat wet feed in that manner, maybe leave instructions for the chicken sitters to mix some for her.

We tried egg and wet food. She took a couple of tiny bites of egg, but isn't interested in the wet food. We put her in the coop by herself for a bit in hopes that she will munch on it when she doesn't have an audience. Thank you for all of your help!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Good luck with treatment and I hope she pulls through!