Coccidiosis - How is this possible?!

[JackieK318]

Last year, I battled twice with coccidiosis in my chickens. Everyone was on Purina Start and Grow medicated for 20 weeks, including at 8 weeks and 14 weeks when infection occurred. I again noticed an infection in my new chicks (7 weeks) just this morning.

I was the feeders and water jugs every other day and change the litter monthly or sooner. I also let the flock free range daily when it is daylight (6:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.). I am not sure where I am going wrong here. Perhaps you all know where I might be going wrong! Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[LazyGirl]

I don't know much about this but here's what I do know:
Some hatcheries give vaccinations for Cocci, but if you feed them medicated starter it negates the vaccine! (I think this is found on McMurray website for more info). Make sure you aren't cancelling this out.
I had cocci in my guineas when they were 12 weeks old. I had never had poultry before, and had brand new coops and equipment! The vet said it's just in the soil sometimes, and he is surprised it isn't more common than it is. So maybe you just have contaminated soil due to natural causes. Knowing this, you might have to get the day-old chicks vaccinated or just be prepared to treat the batch each time. I don't think they can contract it again once they've had it (but there are about 9 different strains)
Hope this helps!

 

[dlhunicorn]

Was the cocci diagnosed each time through a faecal?

 

[JackieK318]

Yep - each time. I picked up some Albon from the vet tonight. I just don't understand. I also left a letter for the vet explaining everything to her to see if she could possibly see what I'm doing wrong. I hatched these chicks myself and moved them outside at 4 weeks in a separate part of the coop. The coop is new this season, so I guess it's just in the soil. I have heard that wild birds carry it too, so if bird in the area have it and the flock is free range, you're doomed. I just don't understand because they're on medicated feed.

I'm honestly thinking of changing the name of the farm to Murphy's Farm: if Murphy had a farm, this would be it! (as in Murphy's Law).

 

[silkiechicken]

Yep, cocci is in the soil. So you moved the chicks out at 4 weeks. Did they get any exposure to the soil earlier on? I have cocci in the soil here and let the 3 day old chicks play in the dirt and pick up all kinds of junk for a little bit each day. This way they get exposed early on and can build up an immunity to the organisms in the soil. That way when they go out for sure, they are not shocked all at one time.

For your next batch, just use the medicated feed and offer a dish of nice soft run soil to dust bath in. See how the early exposure works for you but as always, have something like sulmet or what you got handy just in case they get it.

Only time I had cocci is when I kept chicks in a brooder for 7 weeks and put them in the run one weekend. It rained and all got cocci. However, my broody has raised chicks in 35-40 degree rainy weather in the dirt of the adult coop and free ranging no problem what so ever.

Medicated feed only helps build immunity. It is a thiamine blocker that prevents cocci from multiplying in the gut. If the chicks eat medicated feed, and there is no cocci, it doesn't do anything as the chicks have nothing to build an immunity against.

Best of luck.