How to diagnose and treat chicken diseases is the most common question chicken farmers are asking on daily basis. Raising chickens is a challenging task, especially for those who are not experienced enough around chickens.
There are many types of chicken intestinal and digestive infections like diarrhea, salmonellosis, avian malaria, pasteurellosis, worm infestations, and the deadliest and most common coccidiosis. These diseases can be diagnosed by examining their droppings (chicken waste/manure), and their appearance especially their color.
In this article, we will explore how to diagnose these diseases and recommend some drugs to treat chickens.
When the droppings are wet with some bloodstains, it is highly likely that the chicken has bloody diarrhea or coccidiosis. If the droppings are greenish then it has avian malaria. Avian malaria is carried by mosquitos infected with Plasmodium Gallenaceum.
One of the best drugs to treat chicken avian malaria and coccidiosis is Pyristat Powder. Although Pyristat Powder is developed for gamefowls, it is also effective for any type of chicken.
Pyristat Powder is a combination of Pyrimethamine Hydrochloride, Sodium Sulfamonomethixine, and Vitamin K3 and is very potent in combating avian malaria and coccidiosis.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION:
Prevention:
5 g/20 L (1 teaspoon/5 gallon) of drinking water for 2 consecutive days
Treatment:
15 – 22.5 g/20 L (3 – 4.5 teaspoons/5 gallons) of drinking water for 3 – 4 consecutive days
When the droppings are whitish or yellowish with a strong odor, the chicken could have pasteurellosis, salmonellosis, or coccidiosis. Pasteurellosis or fowl cholera is deadly diarrhea and is very contagious. Coccidiosis is a bacteria caused by e.coli and is always infecting chicks. Salmonellosis on the other hand is caused by salmonella, a bacteria that can infect eggs and even agricultural crops like tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables. It can cause fatal bloody diarrhea in chickens.
Whether the droppings are whitish, greenish, or yellowish, give your chickens Trisullak Tablet. Trisullak is a broad-spectrum anti-bacterial for the treatment and control of systemic and respiratory infections like Chronic Respiratory Disease (CRD), Colibacillosis, Fowl Cholera, Salmonella Pullorum, and Infectious Coryza. It is developed for the prevention and treatment of Fowl Cholera, Fowl Typhoid, Salmonellosis, Mastitis, Metritis, Agalactiae, Pneumonia, and Dysentry. It is also effective against secondary infections after viral diseases and stress.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION:
1/2 tablet/head/day for 5 – 7 days
Worms can also be deadly if not properly managed. Common worms include tapeworms, pinworms, hairworms, and roundworms. The most popular deworming drugs include Vermex, Tape Terminator, and Bastonero Plus. Follow the instructions on the dosage in the labels of these drugs but usually, make sure your birds are thirsty when administering the drugs if it is water-soluble.
Vermex can be administered orally by giving adult chickens (4 to 5 months old) half a capsule every two months. For birds that are more than 6 months old, give them the whole Vermex capsule.
For chicks aged 2 to 3 months, mix 1 teaspoon of Tape Terminator into 1 gallon of water. For 4 to 5 months old, 2 teaspoons for 1 gallon of water in 2 consecutive days. Do the deworming every two months to prevent worms from coming back.
Other Drugs to Treat Chicken
Tepox 48
Tepox 48 is one of the most popular antibiotics for intestinal and digestive infections and as a breeder, you must always have Tepox 48 in hand. Anti-Diarrheal + Prevention of Coccidiosis, Trimethoprim + Sulfamethoxazole. The combination of Trimethoprim and Sulfamethoxazole is effective against:
- Colibacillosis (Yellowish diarrhea)
- Pullorum (Whitish diarrhea)
- Coccidiosis (Diarrhea with blood mixture)
- Fowl Cholera
Amoxtin
For white, yellow, and green droppings. If the above drugs are not available, Amoxtin is the best alternative as it is a favorite by many gamefowl breeders. Amoxtin is effective for all types of chickens. Amoxtin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic combination that prevents, treats, and controls Fowls Cholera, Bacterial Enteritis in E. coli, and Salmonella infections. Also indicated for Staphhylococcal and Streptococcal infections and can be used as a supportive treatment in controlling secondary bacterial infections.
Axylin
Give your birds Axylin if you see dark brown and black droppings with bloodstains. Axylin is created for the prevention, control, and treatment of Coccidiosis caused by Eimeria spp (E. tenella. E. necatrix , E. mivati, E. brunetti , E. acervulina. E. maxima.) Leucocytozoonosis (Avian Malaria) and other mixed infections.
Questions related to diagnosing chickens and how to treat chicken diarrhea
What do I do if my chicken has diarrhea?
Vets normally advise feeding a probiotic following antibiotic treatment to help to restore the good gut bacteria. Diarrhea is caused by worms. Diarrhea can be a sign of worms, and a routine flock care plan should always include regular worming. Consult your vet or Suitably Qualified Person (SQP) for advice.
Why does my chicken have watery poop?
Too much protein or drinking large amounts of water can cause watery-looking droppings. If additional symptoms are noted, the cause needs to be determined. Ideally, a droppings sample will be brought to a veterinarian for a fecal float test.
What is the best medicine for chicken diarrhea?
The most popular treatment for coccidiosis is Amprolium, which blocks the parasite’s ability to uptake and multiply. Treatment is usually administered by adding Amprolium to the chickens’ water supply, however, in some cases, where sick chickens aren’t eating or drinking enough, the medication is given orally.
What are the signs of coccidiosis in chickens?
Common signs in infected flocks include reduced feed consumption, rapid weight loss, droopiness, ruffled feathers, and severe diarrhea. Wet droppings with mucus are common. Clinical infections are seldom seen in poults >8 wk old.
Why is my chicken’s poop runny and Brown?
Runny brown poop can be a sign of infectious bronchitis or E. coli. However, it’s more likely that the chickens ate foods that had a lot of water, like cucumbers or zucchini. It’s important not to confuse runny poop with cecal poop, too.
What gets rid of diarrhea fast?
A diet known as BRAT may also quickly relieve diarrhea. BRAT stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. This diet is effective due to the bland nature of these foods, and the fact that they’re starchy, low-fiber foods. These foods have a binding effect in the digestive tract to make stools bulkier.
Does chicken and rice help with diarrhea?
Diarrhea usually is not serious and often disappears within a day or so. Mom’s advice is still the best when it comes to home treatments for diarrhea: Eat chicken soup and saltines and follow the BRAT diet – bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast.
Do you know other ways how to treat chicken diarrhea? leave a comment below!
See Also:
- How to Deworm Chickens Using Betel Nut
- How to Cure Sipon and Halak without using Antibiotic
- How Long Do Hens Lay Eggs
- Chicken Vaccination and Preventive Medication Guide and Schedule
- Free Range vs Caged Chicken vs Organic Chicken