Wet pens and wet litter create ideal conditions for coccidia to thrive in poultry pens.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Coccidiosis is a disease that can kill chickens and young birds, and rarely older hens. Coccidia are parasites that live part of their life cycle in the chook’s gut, and part in the ground.
They don’t always cause disease, but are more likely to cause a problem when coccidia numbers build up in the environment and poultry are stressed.
Birds will gradually develop immunity to coccidia, and need some exposure to develop that natural immunity.
The trick is to manage conditions to allow immunity to develop without losing birds. Younger birds are most vulnerable to catching this disease.
Signs of coccidiosis include scouring, blood loss and death. Sometimes birds are just found dead. Others will appear fluffed up and weak before dying.
When they are causing disease they are seen in manure in large numbers. When freshly dead birds that have died from coccidiosis are examined at autopsy, lesions characteristic of coccidiosis may be seen in the gut.
Commercial chick starter pellets may have some medication in them to help young chicks get through this vulnerable age. The dose is dropped and then stopped in rations for older birds, to allow immunity to develop.
Preventative measures to manage coccidiosis outbreaks include managing the pens to keep litter dry and free of wet spots.
Good shed design that provides good drainage and shelter from rain and wind can help a great deal in reducing environmental stress and maintaining flock health.
Same age groups should be run together to reduce the disease challenge to young birds. This increases their chance of developing immunity rather than succumbing to disease. Young birds may break down with coccidiosis when introduced to the adult flock and contaminated ground.
Always feed and handle the youngest healthy birds first in an outbreak, and feed and handle the sick birds last. Sick birds shed large numbers of coccicia in their manure.
Isolate sick birds where they can be kept warm and where they wont contaminate litter used by healthy birds. If losses continue get an accurate diagnosis from your vet and consider medication to help your birds through the crisis.