cocci questions

[shakecc]

In another post I mentioned that I was beginning to see blood in my 12 week old pullets poop. I am going to begin Sulmet treatment.

I have been researching cocci, which I see is in the soil. Here is our situation. We moved 7 week old chicks into the brand new coop and they were allowed to free range around our yard/driveway on occasion. They are now 12 weeks old and we just finished the run this weekend and allowed them into it on Sunday.

Does this mean that this area is "infected"? If we treat for cocci is it just going to come back again? Or is the idea that they will build a resistance to it? Can people catch this...I noticed that they are dustbathing in the dirt of the run and I am sure poo as well. Just worried about concerns if my children hold them.

Thanks...new to chickens and just trying to get things figured out.

 

[speckledhen]

First, humans do not catch cocci from other species. Second, yes, it's in the soil, but they will build resistance to it as they get older.

 

[tiki244]

Quote:
I think that is why some people keep their birds seperated completely until they are 5 months of age, in order to give the babys time to build up more immunities.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Any changes in a birds circumstances...new home...new pen...now free-ranging, etc...can open the door for them to have an over abundance of cocci in their digestive track. All chickens have some cocci in their stool...it's just when it becomes an overwhelming amount that they get sick.

 

[shakecc]

Quote:
That's what I was thinking...that the change in their little lives left my have susceptible to it.

Thanks