Coccidia questions?

[Iko127]

The FDA does not give any withdrawal period for chickens on Corid. They talk about parts per million allowed in eggs but how am I going to test for that? That’s for commercial operations that can test. Personally I’d wait a week but I can’t find anything to back that up.

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/animaldrugsatfda/details.cfm?dn=013-149

It might help you to understand the life cycle and some other stuff about the cocci bug. It lives in the chicken’s digestive system and reproduces there. There are several different strains of that cocci bug, each strain attacking specific parts of the digestive system. Which part they attack affects how dangerous they are. After maybe three weeks of constant exposure to the bug chickens develop an immunity to that strain but they do not develop immunity to other strains. You’ve always got to be on the look-out for it.

The bug reproduces in the chicken’s intestines and the egg passes out the chicken’s rear. It thrives in wet soil with manure in it. Some cocci bugs are not a threat though remember some are more of threat than others. It’s when they get out of hand that they become a threat. It’s a good thing for the chick to have a constant supply of that bug so it can develop immunity, but that bug thrives in wet soil. The problem normally occurs when the chicken eats a lot of the eggs out of that wet soil and the numbers get out of hand. Keeping the brooder, coop, or run dry is very important in keeping the number under control, though remember some are stronger than others.

Your current chickens have it. Any newcomers will be exposed. That’s not necessarily a big deal, they’ll develop immunity as long as the numbers don’t get out of control, but keep the Corid handy anyway.

Your current flock will never show signs of having Cocci no matter how long you quarantine them. They have immunity. New chickens that have immunity to the strain they are carrying will never show signs of having Cocci no matter how long you quarantine them. The only ones that quarantine will show are the ones that have been recently exposed to a new strain. It will show many other things though, especially other diseases they have recently been exposed to and have not developed immunity.

I’m not against quarantine, it is a powerful tool, but you need to understand how to use a tool so you can use it properly. If a chicken is coming from a swap or some other place it has recently been exposed to other chickens I strongly recommend quarantine. To protect against the ones they have immunity to a certain disease select a sacrificial member of your current flock and put it with them. If there are any problems you can tell by which ones get sick.

I have some strain of Cocci in my flock. I saw it with a broody hen raising chicks and the run got really wet and stayed wet. I am in the same boat as you as far as that goes, I’ve got it in my soil. I do not use medicated feed but treat if I need to. When I raise chicks in a brooder I keep the brooder dry but I introduce dirt from the run on Day 2 in the brooder and give them some more dirt from the run every 4 to 5 days. This allows them to develop immunity without being overwhelmed by it. It is also very important that you completely change out the water every day or at most two days to interrupt the life cycle of that bug in there. Completely changing it out keeps mosquitoes from breeding to, by the way.

Having Cocci in the soil is a pain but it’s not cause for panic. You can manage it by keeping things as dry as reasonable, helping them develop immunity, and treating when you have to. Good luck!

Thank you! I change my water on my chicks and young ones at least twice daily and my 2 big flock pens every other day. The off day I always make sure its dumped and clean, just usually plenty of water in it, they are also hanging off the ground. Knowing now that I can eat my eggs, at least not throwing them out for 2 weeks, makes me feel better! Just hoping to get back to healthy and happy chickens.

 

[Iko127]

You have received very good advice from the others. I find that having chicks on the ground from day 1 with a broody hen helps them start building up a gradual resistance to coccidia that is present in the soil, and at this age they seem to have a little immunity from hatch for up to 2 weeks. With any chicks that I raise in brooders I have always taken a clump of sod to place in the brooder, and the chicks eat the grass and eat some of the soil. It is replaced as needed. Here are some good articles that I have seen on coccidiosis if you are interested:
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/poultry/coccidiosis/overview_of_coccidiosis_in_poultry.html
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex4616
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/12/coccidiosis-what-backyard-chicken.html
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/2/Coccidiosis Management/43/symptoms-and-diagnosis
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/6/diseases-of-poultry/206/coccidiosis

Thank you !! Very good idea with the sod. Living in Florida with the humidity and heat is always fun Coming into the colder months, hoping the weather will help to

 

[Iko127]

If you raise the waterer you can greatly reduce how much gets scratched in them. An even better way is to raise a platform around the waterer that is above the shavings. They can stand on that platform and drink from the raised waterer.

My brooder is permanently built into the main coop. As long as you can provide food, water, protection from predators. protection from the elements, and heat as needed they do fine outside.

Very good idea!! I will see if i can figure out a way to do that, maybe they could stay in shavings if I can! Thank you again

 

[cafarmgirl]

I agree, I don't really like the idea of baby chicks on wire. I just want a way to keep cleaner. My problem with the shavings, after about 3 days the chicks go crazy getting the shavings in the water and after two hatches had the same problem with them getting shavings in the water and then I feel the moisture comes into play. I was changing it every couple days but feel if they spill water and have to change it daily it will get expensive. Again I didn't have any problems with first group so I'm hoping this was just a bad time and mostly my fault. I'm thinking towards the playsand this time and trying it? I know there are pros and cons to everything. What is your feeling on sand? Maybe paper down for the first couple days and slowly introduce the sand?

I've never used sand myself but I've read comments on here from people who have used it and like it. I would not keep them on bare paper for any amount of time, it's to slippery and can contribute to spraddle leg in chicks. Just start them out on whatever bedding you decide on.

If they spill their water sand is going to get damp and have wet spots as well as shavings. I would raise the water as Ridgerunner suggested to keep bedding out and help prevent overflow/spilling into the bedding. I set mine on a brick or a thick square of wood, whatever I have available to raise it up some.

 

[Iko127]

I've never used sand myself but I've read comments on here from people who have used it and like it. I would not keep them on bare paper for any amount of time, it's to slippery and can contribute to spraddle leg in chicks. Just start them out on whatever bedding you decide on.

If they spill their water sand is going to get damp and have wet spots as well as shavings. I would raise the water as Ridgerunner suggested to keep bedding out and help prevent overflow/spilling into the bedding. I set mine on a brick or a thick square of wood, whatever I have available to raise it up some.

I do have another question? What do you recommend on treatment for coccidiosis, the length of time more exact? I have corid 20% powder, using 1 tsp per gallon of water for five days. I have seen other suggestions on amount and even some say to do for 4 days and repeat in 2 weeks for 3 days??

 

[casportpony]

I sort of follow the Amprol directions, but limit the lower dose to 7 days.

Amprol (same as Corid)
http://www.drugs.com/vet/amprol-9-6-solution-can.html
"Poultry - as Soon As Caecal Coccidiosis Is Diagnosed, Give 0.024% Amprolium In The Drinking Water For 5 To 7 Days. Continue The Treatment With 0.006% Amprolium Medicated Water For An Additional One To Two Weeks. No Other Source Of Drinking Water Should Be Available To The Birds During This Time."

The 0.006% dose for Corid Powder is 1/3 teaspoon.
The 0.006% dose for Corid liquid is 1/2 teaspoon.

The moderate outbreak dose 0.012% for Corid Powder is 3/4 teaspoon.
The moderate outbreak dose 0.012% for Corid liquid is 1 teaspoon.

The severe outbreak dose 0.024% for Corid Powder is 1.5 teaspoons
The severe outbreak dose 0.024% for Corid liquid is 2 teaspoon.

FDA recommendations:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/animaldrugsatfda/details.cfm?dn=013-149
"Chickens
Indications: For the treatment of coccidiosis.
Amount: Administer at the 0.012 percent level in drinking water as soon as coccidiosis is diagnosed and continue for 3 to 5 days (in severe outbreaks, give amprolium at the 0.024 percent level); continue with 0.006 percent amprolium-medicated water for an additional 1 to 2 weeks."

-Kathy

 

[Iko127]

I follow sort of follow the Amprol directions, but limit the lower dose to 7 days.

Amprol (same as Corid)
http://www.drugs.com/vet/amprol-9-6-solution-can.html
"Poultry - as Soon As Caecal Coccidiosis Is Diagnosed, Give 0.024% Amprolium In The Drinking Water For 5 To 7 Days. Continue The Treatment With 0.006% Amprolium Medicated Water For An Additional One To Two Weeks. No Other Source Of Drinking Water Should Be Available To The Birds During This Time."

The 0.006% dose for Corid Powder is 1/3 teaspoon.
The 0.006% dose for Corid liquid is 1/2 teaspoon.

The moderate outbreak dose 0.012% for Corid Powder is 3/4 teaspoon.
The moderate outbreak dose 0.012% for Corid liquid is 1 teaspoon.

The severe outbreak dose 0.024% for Corid Powder is 1.5 teaspoons
The severe outbreak dose 0.024% for Corid liquid is 2 teaspoon.

FDA recommendations:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/animaldrugsatfda/details.cfm?dn=013-149
"Chickens
Indications: For the treatment of coccidiosis.
Amount: Administer at the 0.012 percent level in drinking water as soon as coccidiosis is diagnosed and continue for 3 to 5 days (in severe outbreaks, give amprolium at the 0.024 percent level); continue with 0.006 percent amprolium-medicated water for an additional 1 to 2 weeks."

-Kathy

Wow...That's the pits! I was so excited thinking this was my last day, on day 5. O well, guess I will lower the dose and continue. Thank you. How long after do I need to wait to deworm the chickens? I was planning on deworming by November and again in April or May. Also is it going to be ok for the young chicks to be on amprolium for that long of period and going without thiamine?

 

[Eggcessive]

Wow...That's the pits! I was so excited thinking this was my last day, on day 5. O well, guess I will lower the dose and continue. Thank you.

You may be just fine with 1 tsp per gallon. Many people used to use 1/2 tsp per gallon as treatment, and had success. So, if it were me I would just finish up either 5 or 7 days, and then watch for any signs of recurrence.

 

[casportpony]

Wow...That's the pits! I was so excited thinking this was my last day, on day 5. O well, guess I will lower the dose and continue. Thank you. How long after do I need to wait to deworm the chickens? I was planning on deworming by November and again in April or May. Also is it going to be ok for the young chicks to be on amprolium for that long of period and going without thiamine?

You don't *have* to do it for another week... I never used to, I used to just use 2 teaspoons liquid for 5-7 days then nothing, but I've been a little paranoid lately, so now I do the lesser dose as well.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Wow...That's the pits! I was so excited thinking this was my last day, on day 5. O well, guess I will lower the dose and continue. Thank you. How long after do I need to wait to deworm the chickens? I was planning on deworming by November and again in April or May. Also is it going to be ok for the young chicks to be on amprolium for that long of period and going without thiamine?

I de-worm with Safguard and use amprolium at the same time. Neither has the other listed as a drug interaction. Think about it, if it were a problem, people would say the you can't feed medicated feed and worm, right?

-Kathy