Coccidiosis 101

 Coccidiosis 101

Poultry Palooza 2013 was fun and informative.  A good start to an annual event for poultry lovers both experienced and new.

  We had a guest speaker from Kent Nutrition who is also a member of the Applied Poultry Science Group here in Maine.  Many topics were discussed and one was Coccidioisis.  I have received many, many messages on Facebook and emails from panicked chick owners describing chicks with symptoms of coccidiosis.  These chicks came from various suppliers: feed stores, direct from hatcheries, local livestock swaps and neighboring farms etc.  It is easy to think that something must have been wrong with the chicks or the original environment may have been less than desirable/unhealthy,  and while that surely is possible there are more likely scenarios. 

The first signs/symptoms of coccidiosis is bloody stool, loss of appetite, listlessness and usually paleness in the comb area.

I have been very, very fortunate to have not had an outbreak of coccidioisis but after our seminar I realize it is no doubt a matter of time and here is why:

There are 9 different species of coccidiosis! 

 If you have chickens it is present on your farm/coop too.  So even if you purchase healthy chicks from a neighboring farm and bring them home – exposure to a new species and the stress of a new environment can bring on the symptoms.  Coccidioisis can raise it’s ugly head in older birds as well but it seems to be less common.

So what can one do?  The key is to think PREVENTION!

There are a couple options to help build a chick’s immune system – but there is no 100% way to prevent coccidiosis.

Medicated chick starter (we use a mash) is one option to build resistance over the first few weeks of a chicks life. By 8 weeks old they typically have developed enough of an immunity.   However, be sure that it is the correct medication in the feed – the feed we use contains Amprolium.  (Make sure the medication added to the feed is for whichever disease you are trying to build a resistance to.)   While Amprolium will help build a resistance,  it will not eliminate or even build resistance to all 9 species of coccidia.  
 

A medication called Corrid is another option – it is added to water and administered over the course of 5 days.  This is another way to boost the immune system for resistance – not a cure or vaccine.  Apparently there is a vaccine for coccidia as well, but again - not 100% and no guarantees - as it only effects 1 out of the 9 species of coccidia. 

 

As with any disease prevention measures  - good sanitation is key.  Proper nutrition, access to clean water at all times and clean shavings (or your choice of bedding) are all imperative to prevention of all possible disease and play a vital role in helping prevent Coccidiosis as well.

So now what?  What can be done if even medicated feed and actual dosing of Corrid are not effective enough to prevent these nasty little evil advanced organisms?  

 If you already suspect Coccidiosis has infected your chicks  - a lab test would have to be completed in order to determine which species of Coccidia is present.  The correct medication could then be prescribed – the wrong medication could possibly do more harm than good.

Legal mumbo jumbo:

We are not Veterinarians  - we are sharing information that we have learned from those we feel are qualified as experts and what works for us.  We strongly suggest that everyone do their own research and decide what will work best for them.