Would like an opinion of whether to get a stool sample

[hannahransom]

Hi,

I have had some bad luck with chickens. History: I had a RIR a couple of months ago displaying symptoms (on and off for a while) and then die, the next one died about a month later, a silver laced wyandotte. Now I have a california gray that is sick (for about 3 weeks and still hanging on -- I know I am not good for not killing her, but I do not have proper processing tools right now) who I think will be dying soon. Just today I noticed my white rock is starting to display the symptoms and I am wondering what the heck could kill my chickens 1 per month?!
Symptoms: they will sometimes stand kind of puffed out, tail down, neck in. They are somewhat more listless, mostly near the end of their life. They don't put on weight well. The other two stopped eating near the end of their life, but that could have been isolation doing that to them (this one I didn't iso because I'm sure all of the chickens that are going to get it have gotten it, is that bad logic?). This seems weird to me and I have only noticed it in the bad off chickens, but it may be normal, they will stand with one foot toes curled under, just kind of like they stopped there to decide where to walk next.
Here is a short short video of the one that is sick now:

and here is a couple pics:

I have found an avian vet and am wondering if it is worth it to get a stool sample? Can they tell anything other than worms with a stool sample? I'm going to try to get another video right now.

 

[hannahransom]

I forgot to mention that the white rock that JUST started displaying symptoms was laying well daily (the others had never started laying before onset) until the last two days. The only thing is her eggs were porus looking and sometimes had ridges. I though it was the potassium they get from dates and sweet potatoes, though the rest of them eat that, too. Here is another vid:

You can see in this one the cali gray that has been sick and the one that started displaying symptoms today. The cali gray shows the toe curl a bit if you look closely.

 

[dawg53]

It might be worth your while to take a fresh poop sample in to be looked at. Any vet can do it. They will check for worm eggs and cocci. Keep in mind that it's normal for birds to have cocci in their system. If the microscopic slide shows a few cocci, that's ok. If the slide is loaded with cocci, then there's a problem.

 

[tellynpeep]

I would have a necropsy done on the next one that dies (or is culled.) Your state lab probably does this for free or a very reduced rate. I had this done on one of my hens, and complete pathology, including gross necropsy and microscopic histology samples was $35. Your avian vet could also do this, but it would be a lot more expensive to send samples out privately. In my experience...

But, yes. Definitely check a stool sample in the meantime. You may have an easily treated parasite problem! Easy and cheap to diagnose.

 

[hannahransom]

the stool sample is $50.. doable.

I can't take a live chicken to the vet as I have only a scooter right now and can't drive a chicken anywhere. What is this free necropsy that you speak of?

Honestly, I don't want to worm bc I'm kind of against medicating like that (for animals and people), but I think I want to know what's wrong to see if there is ANYTHING I can do right now. I feel kind of hopeless.

 

[dawg53]

the stool sample is $50.. doable.

I can't take a live chicken to the vet as I have only a scooter right now and can't drive a chicken anywhere. What is this free necropsy that you speak of?

Honestly, I don't want to worm bc I'm kind of against medicating like that (for animals and people), but I think I want to know what's wrong to see if there is ANYTHING I can do right now. I feel kind of hopeless.

All you need to do is put a couple of fresh poop samples in a plastic bag and seal it, hop on your scooter and go to the vet. If they have worms or cocci and you dont want to medicate them, that's up to you. You've just given your birds a slow death sentence. I love your rationale....why post? Good luck.

 

[hannahransom]

If I knew they would all get it I'd probably just kill them all. I do want to know what's up so that I know what my options are, but I am of the opinion that medications will mostly weaken the immune system and not be what I want in my flock. I was hoping to be one of those that could say my birds never got sick because they had these great immune systems I helped them build and healthy food, but I guess that after only 6 months of having them I'm not able to help them build much of an immune system. I guess it takes more time than that

 

[dawg53]

If I knew they would all get it I'd probably just kill them all. I do want to know what's up so that I know what my options are, but I am of the opinion that medications will mostly weaken the immune system and not be what I want in my flock. I was hoping to be one of those that could say my birds never got sick because they had these great immune systems I helped them build and healthy food, but I guess that after only 6 months of having them I'm not able to help them build much of an immune system. I guess it takes more time than that

After finding out what you're dealing with and after necessary treatment for whatever it might be, you can give them buttermilk mixed with scrambled egg after treatment. Buttermilk is a probiotic that is absorbed quicker and coats their intestinal lining, not like yogurt. Buttermilk promotes good bacteria for their immune system. Scrambled egg provides extra protein to help rebuild their strength. Biosecurity and a closed flock go a long way in maintaining a healthy flock.

 

[hannahransom]

I will at least need a rooster before I can maintain a closed flock, unfortunately. I did get all of my chickens from the same person (local) so I don't know if theywere infected with whatever before they came to me or what.

On my drive over to the vet I thought about it a lot and I think I will worm if that's what it comes to. I may not want to eat the eggs for a long while, but I could give them to my family or something.

The vet should know by tuesday what is happening with them. I am wondering if I do decide to worm (and that is even the problem!) I know you do two different treatments, yes? How can I insure that they are not reinfected? I would assume that whatever they have is going to be in the environment, and they range around a large yard area, too.

Any suggestions?

 

[dawg53]

I will at least need a rooster before I can maintain a closed flock, unfortunately. I did get all of my chickens from the same person (local) so I don't know if theywere infected with whatever before they came to me or what.

On my drive over to the vet I thought about it a lot and I think I will worm if that's what it comes to. I may not want to eat the eggs for a long while, but I could give them to my family or something.

The vet should know by tuesday what is happening with them. I am wondering if I do decide to worm (and that is even the problem!) I know you do two different treatments, yes? How can I insure that they are not reinfected? I would assume that whatever they have is going to be in the environment, and they range around a large yard area, too.

Any suggestions?

Most wormers have a 24 day withdrawal period from start to finish including the second worming. The second worming eliminates larva hatched from eggs in the chickens system, therefore ending the worms lifecycle. It's best to toss the eggs in the garbage. Eggs carry wormer residue afterwards and someone might have an adverse reaction to it however slight the residue. Same with antibiotics, not to mention resistance over time. Rotating wormers is best. Perhaps a once a year worming schedule is all you need, it depends on what your soil conditions are. Warm moist soil will require more frequent wormings whereas dry cold/cool soil may not. Wait and see what your vet has to say before worming, it could be something entirely different.