Intestinal lining

[pibb]

Yesterday I found an intestinal lining in a white watery poo. I didn't think to take a picture but it looked just like this pic:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/content/type/61/id/7721484/width/350/height/700
except it only had one piece of lining instead of the 4 pictured and had no blood. Today I find a lining embedded in a reqular poo. No blood seen just the lining. Not sure if one or two chickens created those. They free range some, but those are two instances I've found.

The chickens act like they are fine. They eat, drink, act and look normal. It has been very wet here and just now starting to dry up and I have caught them drinking from a mud puddle (seems like they would rather have that than clean water). The hens are 18 weeks old so they should be laying eggs soon.

I've seen it posted not to worry about an occasional intestinal lining shed and I've seen it recommended to treat for coccidiosis. What should I do?

 

[coach723]

Do you have a vet that will do a fecal test for you? Some occasional lining can be normal. More than occasional could be an indication of worms or coccidia. The runny droppings can also be a sign, but could also be from drinking a lot of water. It can sometimes be hard to determine for sure without a fecal test to confirm or rule out. Sometimes a wet rainy period can cause a coccidia 'bloom' in the environment and can contribute to outbreaks. I would watch closely for any signs of lethargy, sitting fluffled up, going off feed or water, continued runny or mucousy or bloody droppings. If you see any other symptoms, and they can be subtle at first, I would go ahead and treat. Not all strains of coccidia will present with blood, so while seeing bloody droppings is a pretty sure sign, not seeing blood doesn't mean it isn't coccidiosis. If in doubt I wouldn't hesitate to treat for coccidiosis. Corid is very safe and will not harm them even if it's not. The treatment chart is below, use the severe outbreak dosing, and make sure it's the only water available during treatment. If you do have a bird develop other symptoms then you can give up to three doses orally in addition to the treated water, to get the medication in them quickly, dosing for that is here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/corid-oral-drench-instructions.1211991/
If you don't have a vet that will do a fecal for you then you can also use a mail in option, would give you an idea if you will need to put them on a worming schedule.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000J5SOZ...colid=27RHKHAM35GO&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

[pibb]

Thanks. Not sure if vets around here see chickens or not, but it will likely cost more to go to a vet than to just buy the stuff and treat. I wormed them last month and rewormed 10 days later with safeguard so I wouldn't think it would be worms unless I'm missing something.

There was only those 2 finds of intestinal linings. I'm keeping an eye on them and their poo. What else would cause an intestinal lining shed?

 

[coach723]

In my experience, abnormal shed is usually worms or coccidia. Normal shed just happens on occasion. Every vet is different. Most will not dispense medications without seeing the animal (federal law). Some will do a fecal without, some will not. Won't hurt to call and ask, especially if it's a vet you are already a client of with other animals. Some of them do react as if you want help with a unicorn. If it is only happening occasionally and all seem well and happy, then just watching for anything off may be all you need to do. The mail in option is good for general checking but in an emergency would probably take too long.
https://the-chicken-chick.com/whats-scoop-on-chicken-poop-digestive/