Need advice on culling my flock of 30 due to endless cocci issues.

[roberta7saturn]

Long story short, I have spend thousands over the course of 6 yrs combating cocci. I'm not needing advice on what to do at this point for that, I have done it all, and I mean everything and more, under the advice of an avian vet for 5 yrs and I'm just done. My girls and roos are 6 yrs to 6 months. How do I cull such old birds that are my pets? we always use a killing cone for the extra roosters and then eat them. However, these are sick, and how to I dispose of so many birds legally, ethically? Thought to hire someone to do it for me bc I can't do it myself, never have. My 16 yr old daughter does this, but its too much for her to kill all of them. Some are seemingly ok, which I never kill good birds, but they are all super carriers and I'm sure are so torn up over the yrs from fighting it off. we just moved to our forever place and I thought we could get a handle with new ground, but its back and I'm devastated. I just need advice on what is the best way to put them down. If you've had to come to this point bc emotionally, mentally and physically you just can't cope anymore, please give me your advice on this subject.

 

[rayrose]

Just use an air rifle. One shot per bird and they'll never know what hit them.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Coccidiosis does not make them dangerous for humans or dogs to eat unless they have been given medicines that would cause a problem, But that is a personal decision.

I think your question is how to dispose of that many bodies. It sounds like you want to get it over with and not drag it out. I don't know enough about your circumstances so I'll give a range of possibilities. If you can dig a big hole and bury them. Coyotes, dogs, or other critters might try to dig them up so either bury them really deep (probably requires heavy equipment) or fence out potential diggers. I spread welded wire over the area and weigh it down with pavers to stop critters from digging when it is in my orchard area.

If you are in suitable country a traditional way to dispose of bodies is to drag them off way away from people and let nature and the wildlife take care of it. That could be one dead chicken or raccoon, or a horse or cow. There may be laws against that where you are. It will attract vultures and many other forms of wildlife. It will stink. You will have a fly population explosion where you do that. The feathers will make a mess but will rot. You will have a pile of bones. If it is not your property you need the owner's permission. I would not do this on public land.

Call animal control. See if they have any suggestions. They should know local laws.

I'd consider calling your county extension office and see what they recommend.

If you have freezer space and dogs, you can freeze parts for the dogs. As long as they are not cooked the bones aren't a danger. It's cooked bones that are a danger to splinter.

You could incinerate them. For that many chickens it would take a huge hot fire. You don't want half-burned bodies.

My preference by far is to bury them if you are not going to eat them. To me it is the cleanest solution. I typically bury mine in the garden in an area that won't be disturbed for a few months. It is fenced so dogs and coyotes can't get to the site to dig. Or in my orchard if the garden is busy.

 

[Sally PB]

I don't have any advice. I just want to say I am so sorry.
Hugs for you and your family.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

If you've had to come to this point bc emotionally, mentally and physically you just can't cope anymore, please give me your advice on this subject

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

So sorry for your trouble.

Sorry for asking.. but vets sometimes don't have all the answers.. and I'm not sure what YOUR version of "tried everything" is.. Have you tried treating your ground already? Have you reduced your stock load.. I mean how many birds in how much space? What type of bedding? I have a hard time believing coccidiosis is THAT persistent.. and have to wonder if there's more to the story than meets the eye? Like a hidden disease such as Marek's weakening the immune system and allowing for the coccidia to be an issue.

What is fed on a regular basis including treats and supplements? Are there other animals such as dog, goat, etc that could also be carrying coccidia protozoa which aren't being treated when the chickens are? Were the younger birds new additions or were they hatched there? What type of water dish is being used? Maybe a few photos of your set up and we point out some easy fixes or where any issues might lie for further investigation?

My dead birds go to the dump in my trash can, legally.

Sorry for all my questions.. I highly encourage you not to give up yet since you found us.. and take baby steps.. towards your final outcome, whatever that may be.. But maybe with some solid support from folks with actual coop experience and not from a book will help to restore some of your energy and confidence to keep going!

If it were me, and I had to cull an entire flock.. I'd probably start at the 6 year old or non layers and work my way from least healthy to still strong.

Also.. if it's truly coccidiosis that's the issue.. consider re-homing the birds, with disclosure.. as it CAN be dealt with and then even though you still experience a type of loss it's maybe a little less traumatic than culling via the cone?? Note amprolium does not have a withdrawal time for meat.

Bare ground is a breeding habitat for bad bacteria.. lots of garden debri, like dry leaves, pine needles, grass clippings, large chunk bark, etc.. to cover any bare ground and make it more like the forest floor.. soft, well draining, good bacteria and bugs join the party and balance things out.

Your daughter is brave.. and she rocks! My teenage daughter also lead the way in teaching me how to harvest cockerels.. Very proud of their resilience and the strength of character it takes to not only KNOW that something dies for us to live but also the resolve to move forward knowing every animal in their care lived the best life possible and also dies the best death possible! That's humane.

Here to support you and your family, hope you get some answers!

 

[lomine]

Perhaps you could try calling a local wildlife rescue or zoo and see if they might like to take them. They may want you to dispatch them but if it's for wildlife you shouldn't need to clean or eviscerate them. Maybe you could do them in 2 or 3 batches to make it a bit easier.

Sorry you have to deal with this tough situation.

 

[roberta7saturn]

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

So sorry for your trouble.

Sorry for asking.. but vets sometimes don't have all the answers.. and I'm not sure what YOUR version of "tried everything" is.. Have you tried treating your ground already? Have you reduced your stock load.. I mean how many birds in how much space? What type of bedding? I have a hard time believing coccidiosis is THAT persistent.. and have to wonder if there's more to the story than meets the eye? Like a hidden disease such as Marek's weakening the immune system and allowing for the coccidia to be an issue.

What is fed on a regular basis including treats and supplements? Are there other animals such as dog, goat, etc that could also be carrying coccidia protozoa which aren't being treated when the chickens are? Were the younger birds new additions or were they hatched there? What type of water dish is being used? Maybe a few photos of your set up and we point out some easy fixes or where any issues might lie for further investigation?

My dead birds go to the dump in my trash can, legally.

Sorry for all my questions.. I highly encourage you not to give up yet since you found us.. and take baby steps.. towards your final outcome, whatever that may be.. But maybe with some solid support from folks with actual coop experience and not from a book will help to restore some of your energy and confidence to keep going!

If it were me, and I had to cull an entire flock.. I'd probably start at the 6 year old or non layers and work my way from least healthy to still strong.

Also.. if it's truly coccidiosis that's the issue.. consider re-homing the birds, with disclosure.. as it CAN be dealt with and then even though you still experience a type of loss it's maybe a little less traumatic than culling via the cone?? Note amprolium does not have a withdrawal time for meat.

Bare ground is a breeding habitat for bad bacteria.. lots of garden debri, like dry leaves, pine needles, grass clippings, large chunk bark, etc.. to cover any bare ground and make it more like the forest floor.. soft, well draining, good bacteria and bugs join the party and balance things out.

Your daughter is brave.. and she rocks! My teenage daughter also lead the way in teaching me how to harvest cockerels.. Very proud of their resilience and the strength of character it takes to not only KNOW that something dies for us to live but also the resolve to move forward knowing every animal in their care lived the best life possible and also dies the best death possible! That's humane.

Here to support you and your family, hope you get some answers!

Hi there, yes I could write a novel on the 5 yrs of cocci. Burned my land, ammonia the coop, remove the droppings in run and coop daily. dropper fed Corid, burn more, repeat, tens of bottles of Corid. hospital with raised wire floor (per vet) only way I could get my Buckeyes to turn around. I went wrong with allowing broodies to hatch and kept adding to flock every year. They free range, from 12p -dusk, with a huge coop but the vet said the adding young ones doesn't help with persistent cocci. we live in VA, a humid, very wet climate. lots of foliage, free range on 2 acres, we are now on 8 but I am not going to allow them to free range and spread it everywhere. I allowed my flock to grow too much bc everyone wanted eggs and even though I had the space and room, when cocci hits I do a ton of clean up and I'm just tired. With ailing health and being a recovering alcoholic my body and mind can't take it anymore. and to be honest the stress is a threat to me relapsing. I've prayed so much for these birds, and I just feel I need to let them go. We just built brand new coops and runs, and they crapped cocci diarrhea everywhere and even though I can probably turn it around I just have lost my spirt to fight it anymore. They just don't bounce back as easily anymore and Im sure their guts are thrashed from repeated bouts. I need to reduce to 12 birds, so I can manage it better when it hits. and like you said the youngest, best layers. Amprolium is getting harder to find on the shelf. Even amazon, it was scarce and overpriced. I do appreciate your post. I called my vet today, to see how to get rid of them. Have had a change of heart for a moment and I have found someone who wants them. I just can't imagine why anyone would willingly take on the nightmare and contaminate their land. I love them, we are excellent chicken keepers, so I kept fighting for them, but I think I'm just ready to cry uncle. I spend more time trying to keep these birds happy and safe, than any other single thing in my life. Now with better clarity of mind since I stopped drinking, my priorities have been focused on the wrong life forms in my life.

 

[roberta7saturn]

Perhaps you could try calling a local wildlife rescue or zoo and see if they might like to take them. They may want you to dispatch them but if it's for wildlife you shouldn't need to clean or eviscerate them. Maybe you could do them in 2 or 3 batches to make it a bit easier.

Sorry you have to deal with this tough situation.

this is a neat idea, I will look into it.

 

[roberta7saturn]

Coccidiosis does not make them dangerous for humans or dogs to eat unless they have been given medicines that would cause a problem, But that is a personal decision.

I think your question is how to dispose of that many bodies. It sounds like you want to get it over with and not drag it out. I don't know enough about your circumstances so I'll give a range of possibilities. If you can dig a big hole and bury them. Coyotes, dogs, or other critters might try to dig them up so either bury them really deep (probably requires heavy equipment) or fence out potential diggers. I spread welded wire over the area and weigh it down with pavers to stop critters from digging when it is in my orchard area.

If you are in suitable country a traditional way to dispose of bodies is to drag them off way away from people and let nature and the wildlife take care of it. That could be one dead chicken or raccoon, or a horse or cow. There may be laws against that where you are. It will attract vultures and many other forms of wildlife. It will stink. You will have a fly population explosion where you do that. The feathers will make a mess but will rot. You will have a pile of bones. If it is not your property you need the owner's permission. I would not do this on public land.

Call animal control. See if they have any suggestions. They should know local laws.

I'd consider calling your county extension office and see what they recommend.

If you have freezer space and dogs, you can freeze parts for the dogs. As long as they are not cooked the bones aren't a danger. It's cooked bones that are a danger to splinter.

You could incinerate them. For that many chickens it would take a huge hot fire. You don't want half-burned bodies.

My preference by far is to bury them if you are not going to eat them. To me it is the cleanest solution. I typically bury mine in the garden in an area that won't be disturbed for a few months. It is fenced so dogs and coyotes can't get to the site to dig. Or in my orchard if the garden is busy.

This is all very good ideas, thank you!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Now with better clarity of mind since I stopped drinking, my priorities have been focused on the wrong life forms in my life.

I smell what you're stepping in. Way too near ya not to hear ya!

Sometimes.. one day at a time is still too much and I have to take it literally one breath at a time.

Some areas have developed resistance to Corid according to my research and a sulpha antibiotic *may* be useful.. but I figure you've already tried that to. It does sound like a nightmare amount of things you've tried.

I know too well about flock growth.. and got up to 72+ birds once.. it's MUCH more enjoyable on a smaller scale. Even though all those birds had names and so on.. nobody (in their right mind) has that kinda time and energy long term! Chicken math is real and it isn't hard to get in over your head.. you tried! You definitely have to put yourself first.. at least your needs.. You need a break, some down time, some breathing room to get centered again. Please take whatever help you are able to get.

12 birds sounds very doable.. AND so does connecting with more valued life forms.. life changes.. there was a time when I NEEDED to be surrounded by a lot of animals.. but I want to enjoy them.. not be their servant per say.. but kept at a level that's mutually beneficial.. with boundaries!

Sorry, I'm not a qualified adviser and speak to folks like they've been my long time friend. Don't mean to come off pushy though.