One of the most serious diseases is coccidiosis in chickens, which treatment at home requires a lot of diligence, patience and attention from the poultry farmer. What is the manifestation of this disease, what are its symptoms and methods of treatment? Causes and signs of coccidiosis in chickens
The causative agents of the disease are eleven varieties of protozoa microorganisms, whose penetration into the body causes similar, in most cases, dire consequences.
Oocytes of coccidiosis pathogens in chickens infect the body, penetrating it with contaminated water and food, from the litter in the house or from the soil. Developing, microorganisms begin to multiply, and new batches of oocysts after four days with droppings get into the external environment.
In the warm season, coccidiosis pathogens remain viable for several months. If the microorganisms are under the protection of the vegetation or inside the house, they can, spreading by animals, on the inventory or on the legs of a person, remain a threat to the health of the chickens three times longer.
Coccidiosis in chickens occurs in acute or chronic form, with both the young and the adult being susceptible to the disease.
The disease affects the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, causing irritation, loss of integrity and weakening of the bird. The disease is accompanied by diarrhea in chickens, the treatment of which must be carried out systemically. Otherwise, the affected tissues become easy prey for other pathogenic microflora species that cause secondary infections.
Read also: How to determine the sex of a chicken and when you can do it
If the number of pathogens that have entered the body is small, the disease is blurred. Chickens often recover, acquiring immunity to coccidiosis, but for about a year remain carriers and distributors of infection. The acute form threatens with a sharp deterioration in the condition of birds, their weakening due to digestive disorders, exhaustion and death.
Symptoms of coccidiosis in chickens
Coccidiosis in chickens is difficult to detect in the early stages. The poultry farmer can suspect that something is wrong only by noticing:
- unusual drowsiness;
- lethargy, apathy;
- lack of appetite;
- loss of tone and color in earrings and crest;
- signs of blue on the skin near the eyes;
- constant ruffling;
- uncleanliness, expressed in the constantly dirty plumage near the cloaca.
In later periods it becomes noticeable that the chicken goiter is drawn and filled with liquid, and the droppings take the form of liquid, with traces of blood foam. Partial paralysis or unsteady unsteady gait are not excluded. In meat breed chickens, a symptom may be an increase in the food eaten without an increase in weight.
Without treatment, diarrhea in chickens and other signs of coccidiosis increase, leading to the death of the bird in 4–7 days.
Treatment of coccidiosis in chickens
Using only the symptomatic treatment of coccidiosis in chickens does not provide complete recovery. Therefore, specialized drugs such as furazolidone, furatsilin and norsulfazol are used. To date, there are funds aimed at the destruction and removal from the body of pathogens of coccidiosis.
Read also: Features of selection, composition and price of compound feed for laying hens
For the prevention and successful treatment of coccidiosis in chickens at home, Koktsiprodin is used, acting directly on pathogenic microorganisms and depriving them of the ability to harm the bird. The medicine is intended for young animals and chickens and is given with water for two days.
The same accelerated, but very effective course is provided for the treatment of chickens with Baycox, according to the instructions, the agent can be used for prophylaxis, as well as for repeated relapses of the disease.
Instructions for use for Amprolium hydrochloride chickens states that the preparation is harmful for coccidiosis pathogens and is suitable for treating not only juveniles, but also pedigree livestock. Amprolium is given with drink or feed and is canceled five days before slaughter.
Read also: Incubator Blitz - the choice of experienced poultry farmers
Together with the feed for chickens and young broiler breeds, another effective means for coccidiosis is given - Avatek 15%.The bird should receive medication from the first days of the onset of alarming symptoms to 4 months of age. Four days before the slaughter of broilers, the drug is canceled.
Treatment of coccidiosis in chickens is carried out until the livestock is completely cured, and we should not forget about preventive measures.
Preventive measures against coccidiosis in chickens
The pathogens easily tolerate fluctuations in temperature and humidity, while remaining active and dangerous for a long time. Therefore, as a preventive measure against coccidiosis in chickens, regular processing of equipment and premises is carried out with antiseptics, and refractory surfaces with a blowtorch.
When detecting signs of coccidiosis in chickens, home treatment is carried out with isolation of infected poultry from the rest of the population.
On an ongoing basis you should:
- change litter;
- monitor the cleanliness of water bowls and feeders;
- to prevent accumulation of manure and soil in the house;
- to vaccinate egg herds;
- to separate chickens and chickens of different ages.
It is extremely important to avoid crowded housing, which leads to early infection and the hardest consequences of the spread of coccidiosis and other diseases of chickens.
Prevention of coccidiosis in chickens - video
