Should I treat for Cocci ~ when do you know to medicate?

[GaNewChick]

I bought some birds last weekend that were in outdoor pens with netting on top. This area has been hit hard by rain lately and the pens have been very wet and they had so much poop, the whole place stunk. One or more ~ not really sure, have a real watery stool.

They are between 4 & 6 months old. 2 Buff O. and 2 Light Brahmas.

Is it ok to treat them...to be on the safe side?

Thanks!!!!!

 

[Chickenmaven]

I would never, ever give birds medication for no reason. There are lots of great immune booster things you can provide that are not medicine. If you are concerned, I would recommend giving small quantities of plain yogurt, baked garlic and/or fresh pumpkin. My birds love these things and they are health boosters.

Good luck!

 

[GaNewChick]

I've been giving them plain yogurt and yesterday started giving them a small pumpkin, also some shredded carrots.

At what point do you realize you have a problem and need to medicate? At what point do you know when your home remedy is not working anymore?

Thanks!

 

[GaNewChick]

From The Learning Center:

Coccidiosis. A parasitic protozoal infestation, usually occurring in damp, unclean housing conditions.

These were the conditions in which the birds came from. Some have normal poop and some have watery poop. Do I wait until they ALL have watery poop before medicating?

Thanks!​

 

[Cuban Longtails]

The signs for Cocci are bloody poops, not watery poops.

 

[GaNewChick]

I've read where the poops start out watery and then blood appear. No? Do the poops start immediately watery with blood from the get go? Normal poop with blood in them?

Thanks~

 

[gallusdomesticus]

Agree with Chickenmaven....don't treat the birds until you know it's Cocciodosis for sure. In addition to bloody droppings (which may or may not be present, cocciodosis affects the digestive track and the birds normally show a weight loss, stoppage of egg laying, and display pale comb and wattles. If you think it is cocciodosis, there are several sulfa drugs like Sulmet which will do the trick but the theraputic dose is close to the lethal dose so make sure only your sick chicken gets the medicated water.
I've been through cocciodosis twice with a 5 yr old buff orphington so its not just a young bird disease.