Jan 07 2009
Coccidiosis in Chickens
Coccidiosis is one of the most prevalent protozoan diseases that kills growing chickens each year. Coccidia are found in almost all chickens, even healthy ones.
How the Disease is Spread
Chickens get the disease by eating an egg or oocyte, which contains eight sporozoites. Once it is crushed in their gizzard, the sporozoites are released into the intestines. Within a week, the sporozoites are reproducing rapidly, usually two or three generations during the week. The reproductive cycle is continued when the eggs are left in the droppings, and other chickens may peck at the droppings and ingest the eggs. Thus, the cycle can continue.
Symptoms
The symptoms of coccidiosis in adult birds are:
- Slow or no egg production
- Yellow shanks will turn pale
In young birds, the symptoms are:
- Slow growth
- Runny droppings
- Blood-tinged droppings
- Diarrhea
- Sudden death
A weakened chicken may become susceptible to other diseases.
Treatment of Coccidiosis
The treatment of coccidiosis includes providing a clean environment for the chickens including periodic disinfection of the coop , using drugs to treat the disease and a vaccination program to help prevent outbreaks.
