Worms in chicken poop?

[Sandstorm]

Are these worms or coccidiosis in my chickens poop? If so, how do I treat them? I have a small flock of only 12 pullets that range in age between 16 -19 weeks old.

Not sure if its related but one of my pullets has been laying eggs for about 2 weeks and I've had to treat her twice for being egg bound. The first time she had 2 shell less eggs stuck in her and the second time it was one hard shell egg. The last 2 days she has been laying normal. I dont know if she has worms and they are taking all her nutrients and causing her to have issues laying. Is that possible? Either way hopefully she will not have any more issues. Tia

 

[MissChick@dee]

Yes worms would take up nutrients. You’ve got some serious worms. Great job on the photos. I don’t know how far you live from a tractor trailer supply or feed store but you definitely need to de-worm your flock ASAP.
See what you have locally to purchase and use it. Take your iPhone (to show pics) with you. I can’t guarantee the people in the store will know. All I have where I live is a Ace Hardware and the owner knows tons about chickens. They definitely need to be Deworming.

 

[lazy gardener]

Sorry, I do not see any worms. A bit of suspect in photo #1 (looks like feather shafts to me, but could be tape worm) and #2 (possible small round worm at lower left side as you view photo. But, I would need to visually inspect and see texture of it. Round worms are quite firm, and definitely discernible when comparing to other bits of vegetation which appear to be worm like in the feces.) #3, nothing seen. #4, looks like normal cecal. I do see shed intestinal lining, which is not a sign of worms. And it's a fairly common occurrence. Before giving a wormer to chickens that do not show worms, I'd get a fecal float test done, and then only treat if the fecal shows a clinically significant parasite load to warrant treatment.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Sorry, I do not see any worms. A bit of suspect in photo #1 (looks like feather shafts to me, but could be tape worm) and #2 (possible small round worm at lower left side as you view photo. But, I would need to visually inspect and see texture of it. Round worms are quite firm, and definitely discernible when comparing to other bits of vegetation which appear to be worm like in the feces.) #3, nothing seen. #4, looks like normal cecal. I do see shed intestinal lining, which is not a sign of worms. And it's a fairly common occurrence. Before giving a wormer to chickens that do not show worms, I'd get a fecal float test done, and then only treat if the fecal shows a clinically significant parasite load to warrant treatment.

Agreed, clearer photos may be helpful, but to me it also looks like keratin sheaths shed from feathers.

@Sandstorm you mention she has been egg bound a few times - what symptoms was she displaying? Was she in distress or was she just lingering in the nesting box for a good while?
New layers often have soft shell eggs or have difficulties. You may need to evaluate your feed and how much calcium she is getting - offer oyster shell free choice. Make sure she is getting enough water as well. Dehydration, stress, external and internal parasites and history of illness (respiratory disease) all can contribute to laying issues as well. It's a good idea to check her for lice/mites, get a fecal float to check for worms and observe your flock's behavior to ensure she is not being bullied/kept from food/water.

 

[Sandstorm]

I posted on here a few days ago about her specifically. I have only 2 laying pullets the rest could take another month or so to begin to lay. I have them on pullet developer 16% protein and oyster shell on the side. I know she is eating the oyster shell because I see her eat it. I do have a bag of purina layena I think its called but I have not started that because I read on here since the rest are not laying the layer pellets could actually be bad for them.

She didn't show the normal egg bound symptoms. she wasn't laying 3 days in a row but every day she would go in the nesting box for an hour and was panting. She would come out and would act normal the rest of the day. On the 3rd day I decided to treat her for being egg bound and when I went to grab her she did look a little slumped over and was hiding under a bush and I did see her squat. After soaking her in warm water she laid a shell less egg. I was going to give her a second soak to clean her up and when I took her out of the bath she laid another shell less egg. Then the next day she was in the nest box again panting but when she came out an hour later there was no egg and she acted normal the rest of the day. Next day same thing in nest box panting for about an hour and still no egg. Later that night I gave her a calcium tablet and she laid the hard shell egg right away.

I know 100% for sure she is not bullied she is my top hen and they dont even challenge her. When she walks up everyone else backs off and lets her have first choice of treats and feed. She is my favorite when ever I'm in the coop or run she follows me and she jumps up on my shoulder and hangs out with me. If you have any advice on how to help her I would appreciate it. She seems good now. She does sit in the box a long time even when she does lay. Its about an hour every time. Thank you for your help everyone.

 

[lazy gardener]

Does she have free choice calcium available all the time? I would get some good multivitamins into her, and be sure she has vitamin D. How many birds? What is the mill date of your feed?

 

[Sandstorm]

We have 12 pullets. They have free choice oyster shell all the time. About once a week I add poultry vitamins to their water. I just checked the entire bag but could not find the mill date.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I would increase her calcium intake along with getting some vitamins into her.

As for the feed, your group is 16-19wks old, you can start layer feed which has more calcium if you feel you need to or to avoid wasting the feed you already have, just finish that bag then use the Layena.

 

[Sandstorm]

Than you!

 

[alarawany]

I agree with the second comment




Graduated from Soran University with First Class Degree with Honours in Computer Science