[4feathers]

Hiya everyone - I'm a new boy, Derbyshire born but living in Lancashire; and I am very pleased to have stumbled across your website earlier today. Howdo!

I have several ex-batts and recently have lost one to coccidiosis. Another one of the girls appeared to have the same symptoms last weekend. Have started a treatment with Coxoid added to their drinking water, initial results look good.

Third day in now and the poorly one is beginning to perk up. My question regarding this is - how long do continue treating the ladies with this stuff?

Have thrown any subsequent eggs away and I understand that I should continue to do so for 10 days after treatment stops... is that correct?


Also, one of two new ex-batts recently introduced to our established group of girls, is being mercilessly pecked and bullied by a couple of the old timers to such an extent that her feathers have all but gone from her back and she hides away most of the time. I have tried a few things like Gentian Violet and Ukadex, placed garlic into the layers mash feed, but they are relentless in their mission to make her life miserable.
I have bought some beak bits but I am reluctant to use those - they look so barbaric!


Any suggestions you guys might have as to how I can help my new addition would be so welcome.


Sorry my first post is so long... worrying things chickens - aren't they?


Thank you for your time in reading my first post.


4feathers

[joyfull]

Hello and welcome, sorry your first post is a problem 
Coxoid should be administered for 7 days but in seriuos outbreaks then treatment should be continued at half strength for another 7 days.

As for beak clips they are fine and far better than having a scalped chicken. However have you tried removing the attacker and putting her in a little ark on her own for a week so she loses her place in the pecking order? It might work if not then a beak clip remains your only option I'm afraid. The problem is is that she sees these new birds as intruders into her flock and could continue to defend her group.

[4feathers]

Hi everyone - many thanks to "Joyfull" for the welcome response.

It's several days since I started treating the girls for the Coccidiosis and I have to say things are looking much better - they are all perky and "up for it" and; Danielle, the one who looked particularly poorly, is back to normal. Have finished the course of treatment and we are discarding any eggs for the next 28 days. I am giving them a little yoghurt to help their digestion get back to normal.

The bullied newly arrival, who had most of her feathers plucked from her back by the established flock and was left bleeding, is fairing much better. After trying all kinds of sprays, ointments and other means to prevent the others pecking her, I reluctantly resorted to attaching beak bits to the aggressive ladies.

Voila! the pecking stopped within a day or so, and although it looks so uncomfortable for the girls who are wearing them, they seem to show no signs of hindrance in their daily routine. I will remove the bits when I think "baldie" has integrated with the flock a little more and she is no longer perceived as a threat.
She is sometimes sent ''scarpering' when the mood takes one of them, but she no longer hides away and seems to spend most of the day with the others free ranging the garden. We are looking forward to some happy summer months!

[joyfull]

so pleased that things are looking up for you now 
Even in established flocks the top birds will still send those below them scarpering every now and then (it's just to remind them of their place  ), so yes when she is back to fully feathered and everything seems calmish then yes try removing it and see how it goes.
Oh and don't forget to post some pictures in the chicken chat pages - we love to see other peoples chickens