Poopy butt?

[SunHwaKwon]

Down here we have vet clinics at Tractor Supply usually once a month for shots and such and they do fecals as well. They give you a container and you bring it to them the next time they're there. But if you planned ahead you could have it with you, transfer it to the container, and give it back to them. They email you results in a couple days. Ours is vippetcare but there are others. I think it is $10.

You could either just grab random bits from all the different poop piles under the roosts, or lay something down, collect it all in the morning, mix it so it's homogenous, and then submit a sample from that. Or of course if you have a single symptomatic bird, you can submit just their sample, then assume if it's positive that they all are and then make the decision to treat them all out just the ones whose immune systems aren't keeping things in check. Even in the vet field there are advocates for both approaches.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Thanks for the info guys.

I suppose that is a bit expensive, huh? But I wasn't sure if the first one did it for regular people or not? Like if it was just for companies.

And I was wondering about the water because they have been using an open waterer lately when previously they used nipples (the bucket cracked a few months ago) and last weekend we went away and my dad didn't change the water so when we got back you couldn't really see through it.....

Although I suppose it's my fault for not filling it before I left but I filled the food and everything else and we were late so I told him he could add water to it. Apparently he did not. He doesn't lile going in the pen but the water could be filled from the outside.....

The bowl does get dirty fast though so not entirely his fault but I do wonder if that could contribute?

I need to get the bucket fixed but also, do you think apple cider vinegar would help? I hear it's supposed to be good for chickens but not just that but possibly make the environment in the bowl inhospitable? I know you're not supposed to use it in metal bowls but mine is plastic. Also, it's a heated bowl so the water doesn't freeze but I wonder if the warmer temp would contribute to growth? It's been abnormally warm this year. I got it for the two weeks of artic temps we had. Maybe I should only use it when it's actually cold instead of leaving it plugged in all the time??

And thanks, I never would have thought of tractor supply or a clinic having it

 

[Kiki]

K...call your dog vet and ask them over the phone if they will test some chicken poop if you bring it in for you.

 

[ShrekDawg]

K...call your dog vet and ask them over the phone if they will test some chicken poop if you bring it in for you.

Thanks. I think I might do that. Our dog vet is very nice, good with the animals, and reasonably priced.

 

[rebrascora]

It absolutely could be the water. I would certainly switch the heater off as that is definitely going to make a breeding ground for bacteria if you haven't got sub zero temps. I just take a kettle of boiling water out to defrost the drinkers for the odd occasion that it freezes.... even though we just had a spell of 3 weeks of it recently!! I couldn't afford heated waterers for all my pens so they have to wait until I come to thaw them.
I like ACV but it is not a miracle cure that many tout it to be. It is more of a preventative, management tool, similar to garlic and DE and the like.... these things have a place in maintaining a healthy flock in my opinion but will not make them well if they are sick.

 

[ShrekDawg]

It absolutely could be the water. I would certainly switch the heater off as that is definitely going to make a breeding ground for bacteria if you haven't got sub zero temps. I just take a kettle of boiling water out to defrost the drinkers for the odd occasion that it freezes.... even though we just had a spell of 3 weeks of it recently!! I couldn't afford heated waterers for all my pens so they have to wait until I come to thaw them.
I like ACV but it is not a miracle cure that many tout it to be. It is more of a preventative, management tool, similar to garlic and DE and the like.... these things have a place in maintaining a healthy flock in my opinion but will not make them well if they are sick.

Thanks, that makes sense. Now I'm going to feel bad if I accidentally created a bacteria breeding ground :/ I forgot I did change that. We got it I think in December.

And normally in Massachusetts it does get cold so I do need it because I got sick of having to go outside every few hours and never being sure if they had water early in the morning. So it's great for that. And it doesn't make the water hot or anything like that, just warm enough to not freeze. So it's useful but this year has been warmer than usual so I think I am going to leave it unplugged when it's above freezing.

And for the ACV I was mostly thinking it would prevent bacteria growing in the water?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

The issue with sending poop and even taking it to the vet to be tested, it has to be fresh. Parasitic eggs don't last very long once the fecal matter begins to cool and a host is not found. The eggs begin within hours to break down making it very difficult to properly identify parasite variety. I highly encourage a fecal test which you won't need to submit your entire flock. One fresh sample will suffice or just a handful. I believe they need roughly a tablespoon. If one has it, there is a good chance more or all have it as well. Garlic, Oregano, Pepper Flakes mixed into some fermented feed (some also include a small pinch of DE) is a good start while you work out the logistics of a vet visit. It is not a cure, but it sure does make the internal biosphere for the worms more unfriendly.

Change of diet can also trigger this condition. A noticeable increase in certain minerals within different feed brands cause shock which in turn can lead to this condition. Even abruptly changing what treats you give them can have the same effect.

Another very eligible enabler of the poopy butt and often overlooked is a high bacteria count in their food/water dish. Most will automatically go to the idea of worms however this is a very common especially with non-public water sources as they are not treated. Several breeders, I spoke with a while back said they use a mild antibacterial dose in their water systems along with regular and thorough cleaning.

Keep in mind chickens get worms and have worms, it's just one of those things. It's when it becomes an overload that issues arise and should be addressed. Good housekeeping is key. Good luck with everything and I hope you update your post.

A mild antibacterial dose of what? I have well water that is not treated. So, I am curious. Thanks.

 

[Chullicken]

A mild antibacterial dose of what? I have well water that is not treated. So, I am curious. Thanks.

Some used a tsp. of bleach per 5 gallons. Didn't post it as I felt the people of the earth would just set this post ablaze with pitchforks and torches. I'm sure there are other methods such as low dose iodine. Think the focus though was on cleaning out food and water dishes regularly. I've used well water most of my life and I don't treat it for my animals, just clean their containers a lot. Seems to work just fine.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I always thought bleach was unsafe but maybe not in small enough doses? And I certainly wouldn't attack you or them and I would hope no one else would either.

Although I should probably mention we're suburbanish so have town water.

I should probably still clean their containers though

 

[Kiki]

I always thought bleach was unsafe but maybe not in small enough doses? And I certainly wouldn't attack you or them and I would hope no one else would either.

Although I should probably mention we're suburbanish so have town water.

I should probably still clean their containers though

I wash my waterers in the dish washer every day.

It works for me.