I need to have my hens' fecal droppings tested for worms and coccidiosis. I don't currently have a vet, so I don't know where to take these samples to have them tested. Is there an inexpensive mail-in option? I see Pet Smart has a mail-in test that checks for worms, but it didn't say anything about also testing for coccidiosis. I am nervous about going to a vet cold, not knowing how competent and careful he or she might be? Where would you go for such a test? And what should it cost? I dread calling all around for the best price, but I'm poor. Thanks for your help. Is there anything else I should have the chickens' fecal samples tested for? I'm nervous because their combs seem to have gone from bright red around March 2, to a paler, Dentyne gum color now. And their feathers seem duller than they were last year. They are only a year old. I've read that both coccidiosis and worms exhibit these symptoms. I can buy Sevin-5 to dust for lice/parasites (or get Carrabyl (sp?), in case that's what they have, but those don't show up in fecal samples, am I correct? Someone in another group told me her hen who died of coccidiosis exhibited the pasty butt syndrome that my chickens recently displayed. Today I did get 2 eggs. I had been getting only one for the last 5 days or so. I'm wondering whether they could have a nutritional deficiency. But I think I'd better start with the fecal testing to rule out coccidiosis and worms first, for peace of mind. I'm in Salt Lake City, Utah, in case anyone knows of a good vet here who wouldn't charge too much for such testing? Thanks so much for your help.
Update: Esther's butt was poopy again this morning. It took me only 8 phone calls to find an acceptable price for the fecal float. Two places said they do fecal floats but not on chickens. Then I called the University Vet Lab, and they said they couldn't recommend a vet, it wouldn't be ethical. So then I called their other branch (2 hours away), and they put me right through to a vet who couldn't have been more helpful. She said any vet's office should be able to do the tests for me, that it is no different from a dog's or cat's fecal float. Two vets didn't answer their phones, and no answering machine came on. One vet demanded that I bring the chickens in for an office visit, in addition to doing the fecal float. An exotic bird vet offered to do a gram stain for about $30.00. A franchise type pet center wanted $30.00. Then I decided to call a vet who is nearest me, whose office I visited with a missing cat flier once. She was so nice and said she could do the fecal float for $15.00. She said they don't do the gram stain, but she can do an additional smear for another $15.00 if the fecal float turns up nothing. Esther has been having trouble laying this morning. She is trying, but has been to her nest 3 times with no results. She really snarfed spinach, like she was ravenous, and suddenly ran flying to her nest. The vet thought that was strange. It was hard getting a fresh poop sample, but Esther finally pooped. It was pretty solid and I asked the vet if if would work, since I'd heard it needs to be on the runny side, but she said it would work. I am to hear back in 40 minutes. The vet thinks it may well be coccidiosis, so thanks, Becky, for the heads-up. I tried so hard to protect my chicks from this as babies, and I did, but the vet said this time of year it is prevalent and they get it from drinking out of standing water. I did see one of the chicks drinking from a bucket by the neighbor's porch that had standing water in it, so I'll bet that is where she got it. I should never have let them free range. That was the start of all this... The secretary at the vet's office has 10 chickens, so she was understanding, and the vet said she loves chickens, herself. Many of the vets' offices I called acted like they thought my call was an April Fool's Day prank, so I was glad to finally find an understanding vet's office, and it took only 8 phone calls! So I was pretty lucky. The vet said she thinks the feed with the anti-coccidiosis Amprolium in it is a good idea. I sure hope I've caught this in time. She said it will depend on how many coccidiosis organisms show up in the sample. Clare
