Coping with Blackhead

[wncpalm]

I have no argument with retlaw's advocacy for the use of natural substances - we garden organically and avoid using synthetic chemicals, whenever possible. And I would always choose natural compounds over synthetic ones, whenever there is a choice. For that matter, arsenic is a natural compound that can do some good, by killing blackhead larvae in turkeys, as well as doing some very bad things, like killing ducks and geese. And I understand that black walnut, wormwood and cayenne all have some applications to controlling parasitic worms in animals. So if it is possible that one of them, or some combination, could control blackhead or the cecal worm as well? If so, bring it on!

But I don't see this as an issue of "natural" vs "synthetic" chemicals. To use either one, you need to have solid knowledge about the effectiveness of an application - when the well-being of your feathered family is at stake. Obtaining that knowledge doesn't require a Big Pharma sponsor, it just requires a substance to test and a sound research design to evaluate the effectiveness of that substance. Maybe there are such studies out there on cayenne, or some other natural, (or even synthetic) substances that have been shown to be effective at preventing blackhead in mixed flocks. If so, it would be great to know about them! I would love to have access to a safe, effective blackhead prevention agent - so I could get my chickens and turkeys back together again.

 

[wncpalm]

Most of us didn't "plan" to cope with blackhead, we just found ourself in a crisis situation that we had to deal with - often with very little good information available. So my goal with this thread is to draw on our experiences - as coping-with-blackhead "survivors" - to provide information that others can draw on. No one chooses to be in this situation, but it is possible to deal with it successfully.

The strategy of separating blackhead-susceptible poultry like turkeys or peafowl from blackhead sources - like chickens that carry or ground that contains the blackhead organism - is pretty straightforward. All you need is the clean ground and space to implement it. But what about the strategy of maintaining a mixed poultry population in the presence of blackhead?

I'm hoping that Kathy and others who have figured out how to managed a mixed flock with blackhead, can help us understand how to accomplish this? I can think of a couple questions to start off:

At what age should blackhead-susceptible poultry like turkeys and peafowl be introduced to possible exposure to blackhead? I know nothing about peafowl, but some of the turkey literature seems to suggest that only young turkeys are susceptible - is that true? Are older birds not vulnerable to blackhead?

What sort of screening is needed to detect blackhead symptoms in time, so that birds can be treated and recover?

What other things do people trying to maintain a mixed flock in the presence of blackhead need to know or think about?

 

[casportpony]

I have lots of suggestions and comments on how to cope, etc, but I can't post easily from thist stupid iPad, so once I get back on the computer I'll do a proper reply!

-Kathy

 

[wncpalm]

I appreciate the problems that new technology can present! I grew up on mainframes, but I can only marginally manage to use this site, much less via an ipad! (Not suggesting that there is anything wrong with the site, I recognize that the problem is more at my end.

)

But we will look forward to learning more when you get access.

 

[retlaw]

Well I got Cayenne pepper in my feed since two weeks ago when i lost the tom to blackhead
and today i noticed a hen not acting right.
Might be a little early to say she has blackhead, her stools are not yellow or runny.

I called the vet for metronidazole and the vet said it doesn't work and said he checked into it and the bird should not be used for food after receiving metronidazole.

Vet said there is nothing I can do and it is just a part of farming birds.

So it looks like I have to order it of the net and do the waiting game and wait and see if the hen does have it.

What do you make of what the vet told me casportpony?

 

[casportpony]

Your vet said Metronidazole doesn't work? If so, have him look in the AAAP Avian Disease Manual, 'cause he is wrong if that's what he said. What he said about it's use in food animals is true as it has been banned by the FDA, but I seriously doubt that it would cause anyone any harm if they ate the meat and eggs from animals treated with it.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

According to the AAAP Disease Manual, the effective dose is 30mg/kg once a day for 5 days, but I have heard of other vets prescribing it as high as 60mg/kg twice a day for five days, so tell hem that, lol

-Kathy

 

[retlaw]

I will send that info to him thanks.

I called another one and he came over and gave me some Metronidazole.
He was real nice and we had a nice talk.


He said he will order me a gallon (something i can't remember) and once I get it I should be good for years.
Let you guys know when I get it what it is.

 

[wncpalm]

I'm glad that you got "another opinion" on the efficacy of metronidazole for blackhead. Here is a research report from Veterinary Parasitology on the subject that is available on-line http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304401704000998. This mentions a food-based application of 200 ppm.

 

[retlaw]

AMPROL (amprolium)
9.6% solution in a 3.8 L. jug. ($150 in canada)
each ml contains 96ml of amprolium
500ml makes 200L of medicated water.

The vet gave me this for blackhead.
One jug makes close to 800L of medicated water.
I will have this jug for life with my small amount of birds i have.