So last (and first) round of chicks, we had them vaxed for coccidiosis. In an awful August heat wave they still seemed to get a mild case, and one died of it. We did not use medicated feed.

The current baby chicks (to-be-laying-hens) are completely organic - only vaxed for Marek's at the hatchery. No medicated feed, just organic grain. They seem very, very healthy; healthier than the first batch fed conventional feed.

Still, prime coccidiosis age and season is coming and I'm debating whether I want to take some preventative measures, or just ride it out. Either way, I'm wondering if you have treated birds for this with natural methods, and if so, what did you use? I think last time I used grapefruit seed extract in their water, and I know I gave them an electrolyte/vitamin mix in their water through their chickhood. (Not doing that this time.)

Anyone have experience w/this?

I don't know how reliable this is but this article talks about raw goat milk...

worth investigating
Poultry Coccidiosis (http://www.cornerstone-farm.com/dealing_with_coccidiosis.htm)

why is yogurt rattling around in my head as a treatment too? I'll have to go digging in my books.

Molly's Herbals - Herbal Wormer (http://fiascofarm.com/herbs/wormer.htm)

We use this for our goats. I know they are closed right now but we also ordered from www.firmeadow.com (http://www.firmeadow.com/). This woman is actually taking classes for Master Herbalist. She belongs to the holistic goat yahoo group. E-mail her and ask. She has been really helpful to me.

Cool; thanks! I'll check those links out.

I know the first one gives it to her chickens. The second lady makes a similar goat product so i'd imagine it owuld work.

Have you looked on Yahoo Groups for a natural/organic chicken forum? I was really surprised to find one for goats.

Okay, can I ask why you got them vaccinated for Mareks? And does that not automatically make them non-organic or are you not going to be a "certified" organic?

I've never had mine vax'ed for mareks nor have I vax'ed my own and never had one with mareks (out of 100's and 100's and..hehe you get the idea!), but I know of a few people who have experienced it. So just curious if you'd share your reasoning.

I know there's a vax for fowl pox, too (yes, chicken pox! :lol:), but I have chosen not to get there either. It can take out an entire flock, though. :-(

Okay, can I ask why you got them vaccinated for Mareks? And does that not automatically make them non-organic or are you not going to be a "certified" organic? I've never had mine vax'ed for mareks nor have I vax'ed my own and never had one with mareks (out of 100's and 100's and..hehe you get the idea!), but I know of a few people who have experienced it. So just curious if you'd share your reasoning.

I'm not going to be certified organic - folks around here are pretty "beyond organic" savvy. But, I read up on it and they would still be considered organic - most organic certification standards make exceptions for vaxes given in the first day of life.

I had them vaxed for Marek's because (many) chickens lived here before, and we have tons of wild birds around. I am fairly confident they're going to get exposed. And from all the reading/research I did, I felt it was reasonable to get that one vax.

I know there's a vax for fowl pox, too (yes, chicken pox! :lol:), but I have chosen not to get there either. It can take out an entire flock, though. :-(

I don't vax for fowl pox or anything else. Just Marek's.

That makes perfect sense, actually. Very good thinking! We built our coops, etc. on fresh ground so no worries of other buggies and such here.

I have actually considered ordering the mareks vax and doing mine, but most of mine are not vax'ed for mareks and they normally suggest not getting it if your older ones aren't.