Coccidiosis
Coccidiosis affects mainly chicks less than three months old, but older birds can get it. If you notice blood in the droppings, this is a sure sign that Coccidiosis is present. (Do not get this confused with intestinal lining that chickens do shed that is brown/red.) Coccidiosis is a microscopic internal parasite that infects poultry and is found in the ground and wet areas, which contaminate feed, water, litter and soil. Oocysts may be carried and spread by equipment, clothing and footwear, insects and other animals.
The paracitic organism is ingested by the bird and attaches itself to the lining of the gut. There it multiplies and becomes an oocyst which feeds on the digestive tract, causing extensive damage, which eventually will cause the chick to bleed to death. Once infected, the bird passes the parasites in its poo days before symptoms occur. Your chick will stand hunched, away from her mates with her wings drooped and will be quite lethargic and disinterested in food. You need to take immediate action in order to prevent an outbreak and loss of lives. It is fatal but if your chicken survives this disease it would be immune to future cocci infections.
To hit this parasite quickly, ask your vet for BAYCOX, which will bring the bug under control within two days. This is added to their drinking water and all chickens in that particular pen will need treating. Your vet should administer the amount required for the number of chickens to be treated. Although it is twice the price of Coxiprol, it acts twice as fast and within 48 hours the treatment is over. Its our medication of choice when weighed up with the value of our birds and saving lives quickly.
The other medicine to treat Coccidiosis is COXIPROL which is a seven day treatment and is useful to have on hand if you are rearing large numbers of chicks. Note when treating adult birds, there is a withholding period for meat and eggs for ten days after the last treatment. Eggs intended for human consumption should be discarded. However, fertility and hatchability is not affected. Ask for it at your vet or farm centre.
Coccidiosis Prevention:
Keep living quarters clean and dry.
Clean feeders and waterer each time you refill them.
Feed a medicated chick starter for the first eight weeks that contains a coccidiostat.
The paracitic organism is ingested by the bird and attaches itself to the lining of the gut. There it multiplies and becomes an oocyst which feeds on the digestive tract, causing extensive damage, which eventually will cause the chick to bleed to death. Once infected, the bird passes the parasites in its poo days before symptoms occur. Your chick will stand hunched, away from her mates with her wings drooped and will be quite lethargic and disinterested in food. You need to take immediate action in order to prevent an outbreak and loss of lives. It is fatal but if your chicken survives this disease it would be immune to future cocci infections.
To hit this parasite quickly, ask your vet for BAYCOX, which will bring the bug under control within two days. This is added to their drinking water and all chickens in that particular pen will need treating. Your vet should administer the amount required for the number of chickens to be treated. Although it is twice the price of Coxiprol, it acts twice as fast and within 48 hours the treatment is over. Its our medication of choice when weighed up with the value of our birds and saving lives quickly.
The other medicine to treat Coccidiosis is COXIPROL which is a seven day treatment and is useful to have on hand if you are rearing large numbers of chicks. Note when treating adult birds, there is a withholding period for meat and eggs for ten days after the last treatment. Eggs intended for human consumption should be discarded. However, fertility and hatchability is not affected. Ask for it at your vet or farm centre.
Coccidiosis Prevention:
Keep living quarters clean and dry.
Clean feeders and waterer each time you refill them.
Feed a medicated chick starter for the first eight weeks that contains a coccidiostat.