Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease that’s a serious threat to chickens. It’s caused by protozoa called Eimeria, and it primarily attacks the chicken’s intestines. But it’s not just bad news for the birds themselves.
Coccidiosis has a huge economic impact on the poultry industry. It slows down growth, causes chickens to die, and racks up treatment costs. In fact, the global poultry industry loses over 2.2 billion euros every year thanks to coccidiosis.
If you’re a chicken keeper, it’s important to know the signs of coccidiosis disease in chickens, how to treat it, and what you can do to prevent it from infecting your flock in the first place.
Understanding Coccidiosis: The Culprit and its Life Cycle
Coccidiosis is a common parasitic disease in chickens. The culprit is coccidia: protozoan parasites that infect a chicken’s intestines.
The Coccidia Parasites
Seven different species of Eimeria coccidia parasites infect chickens. Each species targets a different area of the bird’s intestinal tract.
Some common species of coccidia protozoa that infect chickens are Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima, and Eimeria tenella.
The Life Cycle of Coccidia
Chickens contract coccidiosis by ingesting oocysts, or parasite eggs, from the feces of infected birds. These oocysts can remain infectious for months, particularly in a warm, moist environment. It takes heat over 130°F to kill them.
These oocysts are highly resilient and spread easily through various means. They can be spread by wild birds, rodents, insects, the wind, and even on the shoes and clothing of a chicken keeper.
How coccidiosis affects chickens: Symptoms and impact
Coccidiosis can hit chickens of all ages, but young chicks are most vulnerable, especially when they’re between 3 and 6 weeks old. E. acervulina, the most common type, usually infects chicks when they’re 2 to 4 weeks old. Other types, like E. maxima, E. mitis, E. mivati, E. necatrix, E. praecox, and E. tenella, tend to affect chicks in the 3- to 6-week age range. Interestingly, E. brunetti tends to target more mature birds.
Healthy adult chickens usually build up a natural immunity to coccidiosis through gradual exposure to the parasites.
Symptoms can vary depending on the type of Eimeria involved and how severe the infection is, but common signs include diarrhea (which may be bloody or watery), lethargy, poor appetite, ruffled feathers, and dehydration. You might also notice reduced feed intake, weight loss, pale combs and wattles, and a droopy posture.
Coccidiosis damages the lining of the intestines, which can lead to malnutrition, stunted growth, and reduced egg production. It’s a tough disease, but with proper prevention and treatment, you can protect your flock.
How to diagnose coccidiosis
It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis if your chickens seem sick. If it’s not coccidiosis, you want to know so you can start the right treatment right away.
Traditionally, veterinarians diagnose coccidiosis with a fecal examination and lesion scoring. Fecal float tests can also help.
More advanced tools include:
- PCR (quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction)
- OOSCAN® (artificial intelligence for oocyst quantification)
- Lesion scoring: Veterinarians use a scoring system (Johnson & Reid, 1970) based on the gut lesions caused by different Eimeria species in different parts of the intestine.
How is coccidiosis treated?
The most common treatment for coccidiosis is coccidiostat drugs, such as amprolium or toltrazuril. However, it’s important to rotate the medications used to prevent resistance.
Supportive care is also critical. Make sure your chickens are getting high-quality nutrition, which will support their immune systems and help them recover. Provide fresh, clean water daily.
It’s also important to isolate infected birds to prevent the disease from spreading through your flock.
A veterinarian can make the best recommendation for your birds. Never hesitate to consult one.
Preventing Coccidiosis: Biosecurity and Management Practices
When it comes to coccidiosis, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The best way to protect your flock is through smart biosecurity and careful management.
Biosecurity Measures
Good biosecurity is absolutely essential. Improving your biosecurity practices is the first step in keeping coccidiosis and other diseases away from your birds.
Key biosecurity practices include:
- Implementing clear hygiene protocols for anyone who visits your farm, as well as for any vehicles, feed, and other goods that enter the premises.
- Practicing good general biosecurity to keep oocyst levels down.
Good Management Practices
A clean, dry environment is crucial. Keep your coop and brooder as clean and dry as possible to minimize coccidia exposure. Dry and well-managed litter is a must.
Other good management practices include:
- Employing litter composting to destroy oocysts.
- Preventing overcrowding in your coops and brooders.
- Providing a balanced, nutritious diet to your chickens. Good nutrition helps them build a strong immune system, which is their best defense.
Coccidiosis Vaccines: A Proactive Approach
Vaccination is an important part of preventing coccidiosis. You can work with your veterinarian to develop a vaccination program for your flock.
There are two main types of coccidiosis vaccines: attenuated and non-attenuated. Attenuated vaccines use a weakened version of the coccidia parasite to stimulate an immune response. Non-attenuated vaccines, on the other hand, use a standard version of the parasite.
Attenuated vaccines may offer better protection, but they can also cause a mild form of the disease. Non-attenuated vaccines are less likely to cause illness, but they may not provide as strong of immunity.
Regardless of the type, vaccines work by exposing your chickens to coccidia in a controlled way, allowing them to develop immunity before they encounter the parasite in the environment. You may need to treat your chickens until their immunity develops.
In Closing
Coccidiosis is a serious disease that can devastate poultry flocks, so it’s vital to understand how to prevent and control it.
Prevention is the best medicine, and that starts with good management practices. While medications can play a role, the most effective approach focuses on keeping the chickens’ environment clean and dry, managing litter properly, and providing adequate space and ventilation.
By taking proactive measures and prioritizing good management, poultry producers can minimize the risk of coccidiosis and maintain a healthy, productive flock.