Test results in: not botulism but coccidiosis

[ZooMummzy]

Quote:
Thank you for the photos and information. We are going to be doing a lot of work in the run this summer. That was already planned before any of this happened due to it just being too mucky. Sand was high on the priority list of getting in the run because after lots of research, I see that really is the way to go in this type of climate. I wish I had thought about it last summer when we were building the run

 

[ZooMummzy]

The test results came in for both birds: Coccidiosis

This one totally crept up on me because I didn't notice bloody or orange droppings or any other type of behavior associated with Coccidiosis. Makes complete sense since it thrives in damp conditions (ie the run). He said he has been seeing a large number of cases this year due to our humid wet weather all winter long. Thankfully it is treatable so I can get it under control. He thinks the OEGBs died because they are such small birds and unlike my other standard size girls and boys, they were less resistant to it. He said even feeding medicated chick food does not protect all breeds. So, off to the feed store I go for medication and treatment starts. He recommended a regular schedule of treating due to the oocysts that are probably built up in the soil right now. He advices turning it over regularly, adding more dirt and sand 3 or 4 times a year and continuing to use DE will be my only method of keeping this at bay in the future since our weather is very conducive to it. He felt all my other hygiene was fine and not an issue which helped me feel a little better but it still doesn't make me feel good that I completely missed this one.

 

[feathersnuggles]

Quote:
Wow. Thanks so much for posting the results. I guess all of us in the PNW need to be aware of this. I let my hens range our urban lot most of day, even on wet days. I wonder what the odds are for cocci being in our backyard. If it's raining really hard, my birds spend most of the time under our deck or in their covered run. However, if it's drizzling (like normal) they are usually out in it.

ETA: I forgot to add this link for tips on how to remedy a muddy run. It's from patandchickens. You might have already seen it, but if not, here it is.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-fix-a-muddy-run

 

[ivan3]

Yes, thanks for posting. One of the best investments of time/money that we've made was hunting down exactly how to get a full necroscopy performed and putting the money aside for just that. It has been far more economical than shotgunning meds and is a great relief compared to the constant second guessing/anxiety.

Probably following up the anticoccidiostat with a regular worming schedule would be useful (if it ain't one thing, it is another).

Here's to a rapid improvement!

 

[ZooMummzy]

Thank you everyone. Yes, a good necropsy is worth every penny. Our local college (Oregon State) is a huge Vet school so I really like the ease and quickness of the results, not to mention the personal attention. I do the worming, 3x a year, but now I will be adding the cocci treatment as well during the wet months and any really hot spells we have here. I am just thankful it wasn't something more serious. I wasn't enjoying the stigma I had suddenly received of having a "sick flock". Didn't really seem fair to me though I do understand paranoia. I think all of us at one time or another have battled mites, worms, cocci and a variety of other things. It's just part of the chicken thing - live and learn and try to not repeat mistakes.

 

[MotherJean]

I think you'll want to do some thorough research on cocci before you make that decision to treat your flock routinely for the disease. It is my understanding that the infection will provide subsequent immunity, at least to that strain of oocyst that infected them. It may sound strange, but we don't necessarily want to prevent the cocci infection, but rather to allow a milder immunizing infection while guarding against acute outbreaks. Routine treatment with cocci drugs can lead to drug resistant strains of the disease causing more serious illness and even death for your hens.

 

[msdoolittle]

My chicks have cocci now, too. They began symptoms on Wednesday, and I have been treating w/ Corid since. I have since lost 2 ee's. To be honest, the ee's seem to not be as thrifty, at least this strain! Anyway, I do think we're on the upswing now. I have also been reading about natural immunity. It greatly interests me because I have raised several batches of chicks with no problems before. I am sure that the oocysts have been madly multiplying in this heat and humidity, therefore, I have decided not to raise baby chicks this late in the year again. I think it's just asking for trouble. I have never had problems with chicks that 'finish out' in March or April.

Of course, I just had some chicks born yesterday, but I think what I will do is pasture them on 'clean' grass which no other chicks have been, and hope they don't get overloaded w/cocci.

I don't like medicating unless they need it. Your birds which survive infection will have immunity to that strain of cocci. Hopefully, they will pick up immunity along the way to other strains as well, and probably already have to some degree. When I'm done with medicating, I am moving the chicks back out onto my 'clean' area, and will watch them super closely!

 

[ZooMummzy]

Quote:
Thank you for this information, I certainly will do that. I think he suggested it because my run is a closed run - they do not free range - and he felt since I could not move them to a clean area, that it would be best to treat for awhile (at least through the summer and winter if it is wet and humid again). However, I will do some research on cocci. I started last night but school is out now so my house was overrun with boys

 

[ZooMummzy]

Quote:
I'm sorry to hear this and about your losses. I have found that EE's are not very thrifty either. These little OEGBs are the worst. I have 3 girls left (the roosters live inside the garage since we are rehoming them) and I'm just scared to death everyday when I open the coop I will find one dead. All my spring chicks are still in brooders downstairs and after all this, I am not putting them outside until they are at least 5 months old and I have done the full treatment of my flock. My January hatch went out when they were 3 months and that is when they died. I just won't take that risk ever again. Good luck with your treatments and I hope you do not lose anymore chickens.