Coccidiosis is spread by contaminated feed and droppings from infected birds. The infectious oocysts that cause Coccidiosis can be carried by man, litter, contaminated equipment and free flying birds. The main source of infection is the chickens itself. Birds that are infected with Coccidiosis will pass great number of infectious oocysts in their droppings. Even a bird that has recovered from a Coccidiosis outbreak will remain infectious as they are never really free of the disease. The oocysts are capable under the right conditions of surviving in the soil for periods of one year or longer. The oocysts that cause Coccidiosis thrive in wet surrounding and are easier to control if litter and or the ground is in a drier condition. It takes approximately four to seven days for an infection to take place in the intestines. It takes constant re-exposure to the infectious oocysts in order for immunity to Coccidiosis to develop. Immunity is not permanent nor is it guaranteed for the life of the bird. Immunity depends on constant re-exposure to the infectious oocysts, if re-exposure is not accomplished then immunity will be lost. There is no cross immunity among the different species of Coccidia. This means that in order for birds to develop immunity to all nine species of Coccidia they would have to be exposed to sufficient numbers of oocysts from all nine species. They would then have to be constantly re-exposed to all nine species of Cocci in order for immunity to be maintained. The severity of a Cocci outbreak will depend upon the numbers of oocysts that are ingested by the birds and their overall health and conditioning.
Controlling Coccidiosis and still allowing immunity to build is accomplished in the following way. Use Amprol/Corid powder in the birds drinking water at the rate of one teaspoon per gallon of water for seven days and 1/8 teaspoon of 3-Nitro-W as well. Then skip twenty one days and then begin treating with Sulfadimethoxione at the rate of one ounce per two gallons of drinking water for five days. Then skip twenty one days again and start the treatment all over again beginning with the Amprol/Corid and the 3-Nitro-W powder. Continue this program until all birds are five to six month sold or until the hens begin laying eggs and then discontinue the program and treat on an as needed basis. It is important to start the Amprol/Corid powder first and then use the Sulfadimethoxine as some species of Cocci cause intestinal bleeding and the use of Sulfa drugs first, will contribute to the bleeding before it makes the situation better. It is also advisable to add ¼ teaspoon of VITAMIN E to the water as research shows that VITAMIN E can help shorten the course of a Coccidiosis outbreak. When starting baby chicks it is important to start this program no later than ten days of age as this disease will kill baby chicks very quickly. Newly developed technology has produced a new Coccidiosis vaccine that is both effective, safe and, affordable. It is really simple to use just mix the vaccine according to the directions that are provided with the vaccine and spray the vaccine on the birds feed that you are feeding for the day. Its that simple. If vaccination was done properly the birds will show mild symptoms of Cocci but should not be overwhelmed by the vaccine and immunity will build from there. No medication should be necessary for the life of the birds.
Does anyone near me know of a feed store that has corid? I used Sulmet and can't find corid. Called 3 stores and went to TSC and THEY didn't have any..
