Need help with pullet—Coccidiosis

[Marshaharrell]

I am almost positive that what has been killing some of my pullets is cocci. It happens every few weeks, with a younger chicken, and they are fine one day, near death the next. I finally got Corid. TSC was out so I had to order on Amazon. Go out to put it in water and another pullet is acting like death, head flopping, eyes closing, pretty listless.

Is there a way I can treat her directly, since she is not drinking? I have the Corid 9.6% liquid. Thanks for any help. I really don’t want to lose this one :-(

 

[EggSighted4Life]

How old are they? Can you post a pic?

Yes you can do a drench. @Eggcessive can you pop in with dosage information?

Any chance you can take a fecal sample to the vet for a float to test for cocci load and confirm your diagnosis?

If you loose another bird, I highly recommend sending in for necropsy to determine cause of death... I haven't yet seen head flopping be a sign of cocci... but I know all can present differently. Necropsy can help you rule out possible disease... It is free or cheap in many states for back yarders' in order to help maintain the safety of our national food supply chain.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-send-a-bird-for-a-necropsy-pictures.799747/

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf

Hope she pulls through!

 

[Marshaharrell]

She was about 14 weeks, a Polish Tolblunt. She just died. One gwtsxsick and dies every two weeks or so suddenly. I am about to take her for a necropsy. Already started Corid in case.

 

[Marshaharrell]

The preliminary necropsy showed cancer in her organs, which leads the doctor to believe it is either Mareks or neuro-something. I will get the detailed report later this week after they analyze the tissues.

In researching, it sounds like the visceral form if it’s mareks, which is usually fatal if a chicken is affected. I didn’t realize (until the doctor told me) that many chickens exposed never show symptoms. I guess that makes sense since my older chickens are fine. It’s the younger ones that seem more susceptible. I believe this is number 5 in about 3 months that died like this, all between 10-16 weeks old. I’m hoping these last two cream leg bars hold out and that the Ameracaunas we just got last week don’t get it. I would move them to my other yard, but no one there has died and I don’t want to mess that yard up(75% of my chickens are in that yard).

 

[rebrascora]

Hi
Many thanks for updating this thread with the prelim result of your necropsy. I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. I know how heart breaking it is! As soon as you said the deaths were occurring weeks apart my thoughts were Marek's.

I believe Cream Legbars are one of the more susceptible breeds to this virus, so I wish you luck with the 2 you have left. I have had a couple with visceral Marek's but the majority of mine have been the neurological strain which exhibits with paralysis or lack of coordination of a muscle or limb. It is a difficult disease to understand due to the dormant phases between infection and symptoms or even between outbreaks if they survive their first attack..... I guess with Visceral Marek's you won't get many birds survive an attack.
Keeping the flock as happy and stress free as possible is important to prevent triggering an attack. Removing surplus cockerels before they reach adolescence and start causing mayhem is important and not introducing new birds to the flock or moving potentially infected birds etc. Unfortunately things like the surge of hormones at point of lay and drop of hormones at moult cannot be regulated, so those may be key times for further outbreaks. Weaning chicks from broodies and integrating brooder reared chicks into the main flock are also regular triggers for it.

I find a broad spectrum poultry vitamin supplement beneficial to support their immune system which the Marek's virus suppresses and a probiotic or fermented feed to keep their gut in good health but with Visceral Marek's, even these precautions may not have any beneficial effect because it kills so quickly. You might want to keep Corid on hand because outbreaks of coccidiosis are common with Marek's birds due to their compromised immune systems. I wish you luck in dealing with this. I hope it settles down over time as I have found with my experience of it. There were quite a few initially but I just get the odd one here and there now.... maybe 2 cases a year and I might only lose one of them. I'm just over 4 years down the line with it now.

If you need any help or moral support just give me a shout.

Regards

Barbara

 

[Marshaharrell]

Final report says it was Marek's. Most likely, all my other chickens have been exposed. Making sure there all getting fresh greens and putting probiotics in the water.

Report said she also had roundworms. That was probably because she was already weak from the disease. How would I prevent worms in the others?

 

[rebrascora]

I'm so sorry but at least you now know what you are dealing with and can start learning how to manage it.
I would agree that the roundworms were probably as a result of her ill health and compromised immune system. Did they give an indication of infestation level... ie low level or significant numbers?
You might want to consider getting regular faecal float tests done on your flock.... having a combined flock sample tested every 3 months or testing an individual bird if it is looking sick. It costs about £10 here in the UK to buy a sample kit for a mail order service and send it off to the lab which includes the sample pot, prepaid sample envelope and testing and I often get next day results via email if I can get the sample in the post before lunchtime, so look around for a similar service in your area. Your state diagnostics lab may be the cheapest option. I would be disinclined to routinely worm them because this might stress their system and trigger a Marek's outbreak. It can't hurt to feed them pumpkin seeds periodically and put ACV in their water and a bit of garlic now and then but these will not treat an infestation, so use these to help prevent and monitor and treat with chemicals when necessary and be observant about checking poop when you are mucking out.... and know what you are looking for. You will not see roundworms eggs (they are microscopic) and adults rarely get passed, but if you do see an adult roundworm then get a sample sent off. Keep a look out for tapeworm segments which will not usually be picked up in the testing process but are visible to the naked eye....they look like small slow moving grains of rice.
That is the best advice I can give you. Wishing you the best of luck in dealing with it and if you have any other queries, just ask.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Final report says it was Marek's. Most likely, all my other chickens have been exposed. Making sure there all getting fresh greens and putting probiotics in the water.

Report said she also had roundworms. That was probably because she was already weak from the disease. How would I prevent worms in the others?

I'm sorry for your loss
Thank you for sharing your findings with us.

Getting a fecal float is always a good idea to see what your worm load is. You probably used the Raleigh lab for your necropsy? I believe they will also test stool samples you send to them as well.

If you want to treat for roundworms only, you can use Wazine. Fenbedazole (Safeguard) and Valbazen can also be used.