Exposing chicks to soil to prevent coccidiosis

[azygous]

I agree with Mary. If you are experiencing a very wet, warm spring, you might want to forego the sod clump and just do medicated feed. There will still be coccidia in the run, and the amprolium in the medicated feed will assist the chicks in safely developing a resistance to the coccidia.

Many of us who live in arid climates don't need to be overly concerned with coccidia population explosions. If you live in a tropical clime, you may want to take a soil sample to an agricultural lab to see what your coccidia load is.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

I usually just take a clump of sod, roots and all, and plop it in the brooder. It acts as a nice grit source for them too. Probably about 6 inches across by 3 inches wide, just the tip of a shovel. I take it from right next to my chicken pen alone the fence line since my chicken pen is mostly wood chips, not soil. Taking it from right next to but not directly in contact with chicken poop helps make sure they're not getting a crazy amount if I'm having a bloom.
I don't usually stick it in until I see they are eating good on their own, and to make sure they are robust and healthy, so probably a few days after hatch. They rip it apart and trample it and they get a new sod block when I change their bedding until they move outside. It just goes right into the compost with all the chicken waste.
Medicated feed makes doing this pretty pointless, kind of like if you have the vaccine. The idea is to tech their immune systems to build up a resistance. Medicated feed kills it before the immune system can respond.

 

[Arya28]

We use dirt from our yard . Personally, we always supplement with herbs and/or oils including oregano before exposure to first build up immunity. We have never needed to use corrid. You can read more on that here https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/treating-maintaining-healthy-chickens-with-herbs.73080/

 

[Beer can]

Last year I read that exposing chicks to soil early on will help them build up immunity to cocci. So I plan to implement it this year. Actually next week is when I am going to get some chicks.
I am asking those who are experienced with this, what soil should I use? From the chicken run? Or just my yard? Lots of it, or just a plug of sod?. Do I introduce it on day 1 and keep it available till they go out to the coop? Do you feed medicated feed in addition? I've been using Purina Flock Raiser for all ages (it's non medicated) and always have some fermented available as well.
Thanks for your advice!
Sue

I've read a article on that also but it was on raising chicks on deep litter and how it was healthier for them.
Think about it a broody hatched chick is on soil from day one. I've never had chicks get cocci and don't feed medicated feed but I'm thinking of adding some of my coops deep litter for bedding in the brooder box next time I hatch.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Last year I read that exposing chicks to soil early on will help them build up immunity to cocci. So I plan to implement it this year. Actually next week is when I am going to get some chicks.
I am asking those who are experienced with this, what soil should I use? From the chicken run? Or just my yard? Lots of it, or just a plug of sod?. Do I introduce it on day 1 and keep it available till they go out to the coop? Do you feed medicated feed in addition? I've been using Purina Flock Raiser for all ages (it's non medicated) and always have some fermented available as well.
Thanks for your advice!
Sue

We all do things differently, so hopefully you will find what works for you.

This is what I do. Within the first week, I place a plug of sod in the brooder (I try to find a clump with dandelion and clover). I also put a small pan of dirt (sifted) from my run, add a little ash and maybe sand if I have it on hand. This is what my babies will encounter once they go outside. They will pick/scratch/consume and have a ball dusting bathing and like Carol says make a general mess I believe early exposure helps them build resistance. So far, I have had no problems, but most of my runs are covered and very dry.

I only use Flock Raiser as well, but it's never a bad idea to have Corid on hand.

 

[lazy gardener]

Last year I read that exposing chicks to soil early on will help them build up immunity to cocci. So I plan to implement it this year. Actually next week is when I am going to get some chicks.
I am asking those who are experienced with this, what soil should I use? From the chicken run? Or just my yard? Lots of it, or just a plug of sod?. Do I introduce it on day 1 and keep it available till they go out to the coop? Do you feed medicated feed in addition? I've been using Purina Flock Raiser for all ages (it's non medicated) and always have some fermented available as well.
Thanks for your advice!
Sue

I've read a article on that also but it was on raising chicks on deep litter and how it was healthier for them.
Think about it a broody hatched chick is on soil from day one. I've never had chicks get cocci and don't feed medicated feed but I'm thinking of adding some of my coops deep litter for bedding in the brooder box next time I hatch.

Good post, Beer Can.

This is how I've been managing it for years, with good results. No issues with coccidiosis, no need for medicated feed.

I get my chicks started on crumble feed and Poultry Nutri - Drench fortified water. Any time after they know what the feed is all about, and are eating and drinking well, and filling their crops, I bring in a plug of sod, or a dish of soil. I may bring sod from my lawn. (usually have to find a chunk that was turned up by the snow plow, b/c my soil is still frozen when I start chicks!) Or, I may bring in some soil scraped up from my garden, or some soil/DL from my run.

I see to it that they have a fresh sod/scoop of soil, or some DL compost on a regular basis. I also scoop up some gravel from my driveway to supply their grit needs. Be sure that where ever you are getting your sod/soil from that it is from an untreated area. NO insecticides/herbicides.

IMO, it's important to start that sod/soil very soon. There is a 2 week window of opportunity after hatch when the chick's immune system is at it's strongest. She receives immunity from the hen, just as a human baby receives antibodies from her mother. But, if you're late getting started with this, don't worry. IMO, better late than never. Whether you use medicated feed or not, early exposure to soil/cocci exposure is important!

I do not change out the litter in my brooder, unless there has been a water spill. (You can avoid spills by hanging the waterer from a chain.) It's then super easy to keep raising it as the chicks grow. As they soil the litter, I simply add more. For convenience sake, I use shavings for my chicks. But, by the time they are 2 - 3 weeks old, they are already playing in the DL of the soil floor of their grow out coop, anyways.

My chicks also get fermented feed. I introduce that during the first week, and have found that the sooner it is introduced, the sooner they make a complete transition to FF. As soon as they are all eating the FF well, I cease to provide dry crumble, and give only FF.

 

[NNYchick]

My lawn is covered in snow, is it worth it to shovel snow away to get to sod? Will the frozen ground still have a cocci load? My chicks are 2 weeks today is it too late. My plan was to move them out to an enclosure in my pen at about 5 weeks (3 weeks from now) but now I’m worried because I do deep litter in my pen and didn’t think about boosting their immunity before I put them out. Will putting them on a medicated feed at that time be advised?

 

[azygous]

If your chicks have been running around in the deep litter in the run, they've had their coccidia inoculation.

Save your back. No need to shovel snow!

 

[NNYchick]

If your chicks have been running around in the deep litter in the run, they've had their coccidia inoculation.

Save your back. No need to shovel snow!

No that’s what I’m worried about. They have been in the house in the brooder. I want to move them out in 2-3 weeks.

 

[azygous]

No that’s what I’m worried about. They have been in the house in the brooder. I want to move them out in 2-3 weeks.

Why not let them have day trips out to the run? After two weeks, chicks can handle a few hours away from a heat source on a calm, mild day. Just watch for signs of chilling and bring them in when your see them huddle.

This will expose them to mild pathogens, including coccidia, as well as begin the acclimatization process to wean them away from needing heat. While the first two weeks are optimal for developing immunities, chicks can still benefit from it for a few more weeks.