How can I win the fight against coccidiosis?

[Tiana's chickens]

I have some chooks that just keep getting coccidiosis. I treat them, they look better for about 2 months and then they get it again!
What steps can I take to prevent this cycle?
They free range in the garden most days and sleep in the coop at night. I don't have any bedding on the concert floor because it pretty much rains everyday then all gets wet and moody. I clean the floor by scraping up the poo and hosing it down daily. They sleep on the perches and the upstairs compartment which has wood shavings (because it stays dry in that part of the coop).
Pretty sure water proofing the coop isn't an option because I've tried lots of times before, but I think the dampness is an issue.
The garden is massive, lots of dirt, grass, bugs and bushes. Not sure what I can do for that garden but I'm guessing the soil has lots of coccidia too.
Is there something's I can to that will boost the immune system of the chooks?
Any advice?
Thanks in advance

 

[Arya28]

Hi there! You might find some helpful info in this article I wrote. There's lots of controversy over it, but we do it the natural way. Have always had success with it and have never needed to use corrid. Aloe juice has killed coccidiosis in our chickens every time--- even very, very bad coccidiosis. I hope this helps!

 

[Tiana's chickens]

Hi there! You might find some helpful info in this article I wrote. There's lots of controversy over it, but we do it the natural way. Have always had success with it and have never needed to use corrid. Aloe juice has killed coccidiosis in our chickens every time--- even very, very bad coccidiosis. I hope this helps!

Thank you so much! Incredibly helpful

 

[Arya28]

No problem! Like I said, I'm not expert, just someone who has been forced to look into alternative remedies, as lots of parasites and diseases are becoming chemical resistant now!

 

[rebrascora]

Hi

Are you sure you are dealing with coccidiosis? Have you had faecal samples checked by a vet or lab? It is unusual for adult birds to have problems with coccidiosis as they should develop resistance as they get older. Do you live in a particularly warm, humid climate? Repetitive bouts of it would suggest to me that your birds' immune systems are low and I would be concerned that something like Marek's Disease was compromising their immune response. What breed are they? Have they ever shown any lameness?

 

[Tiana's chickens]

Hi

Are you sure you are dealing with coccidiosis? Have you had faecal samples checked by a vet or lab? It is unusual for adult birds to have problems with coccidiosis as they should develop resistance as they get older. Do you live in a particularly warm, humid climate? Repetitive bouts of it would suggest to me that your birds' immune systems are low and I would be concerned that something like Marek's Disease was compromising their immune response. What breed are they? Have they ever shown any lameness?

I'm certain it's coccidiosis, the vet checked the poo under a microscope. The weather here is wet and warm and humid. I am also concerned about their immune systems too. They haven't shown any lameness. They are POL Wyandottes

 

[rebrascora]

I assume the vet knows something about poultry and that it is normal to have a low level of coccidia in the digestive system and it is only when there is an overgrowth, that it needs to be treated. Also, which treatment are you using and for how long (some Cocci treatments are not effective against all strains I believe) and do you follow it up with a round of vitamins, particularly Vitamin B complex. Your birds might also benefit from fermented feed if you don't already do that, to improve their gut flora, especially after Coccidiosis treatment.

 

[Arya28]

Corrid works by starving the protozoa from vitamin B, rather than actually killing the coccidia. Aloe actually kills it, and it gives them vitamins rather than depleting it

 

[Tiana's chickens]

I assume the vet knows something about poultry and that it is normal to have a low level of coccidia in the digestive system and it is only when there is an overgrowth, that it needs to be treated. Also, which treatment are you using and for how long (some Cocci treatments are not effective against all strains I believe) and do you follow it up with a round of vitamins, particularly Vitamin B complex. Your birds might also benefit from fermented feed if you don't already do that, to improve their gut flora, especially after Coccidiosis treatment.

The vet gave me Toltazurol, 3 consecutive days and then repeat in 3 weeks. It was specialist bird vet I took my girls to so I'd like to assume she knew what she was doing too. The girls were so sick they couldn't stand up for over 5 minutes and their eyes were shut most of the time, when the vet checked the droppings she said they were absolutely overrun with coccidiosis. She also gave them a b12 injection. They don't have any vitamins or minerals except what's in their feed. I'm not exactly sure how to make fermented feed but I'd like to do that.

 

[rebrascora]

Ok, well that's good. Sometimes people go to the vet with a sick chicken and the vet knows nothing about poultry and they pay good money for an opinion that is based on knowledge of other animals but may not be relevant to birds. I am pleased you were able to find an appropriately qualified vet.
The Toltrazuril is supposed to be a very good product and it isn't supposed to prevent them from developing a natural resistance to coccidia, so it is odd that they are having recurring problems with it. It is also surprising when they get to free range regularly. I could understand it building up if they were confined to a pen and re-infecting themselves in a damp soggy run, but getting out into the garden/yard means that the ground is not over populated and stale.
I would look at changing your management system somehow to see if that will help. What sort of watering system do you use and where does the water come from... ie well water or mains water or surface water? I might be inclined to try a nipple waterer if you don't already use one or scrub out their waterer daily and make sure it is elevated so that it cannot get dirt or poop in it. Have you tried using raw Apple Cider Vinegar(ACV) "with the mother" in their water and maybe some crushed garlic?
Fermenting feed is very easy. Basically you put some feed in a container or bucket and cover it with water and give it a stir. You can add a teaspn of ACV to get it started a little quicker but it will work without. Stir and cover loosely and leave at room temp. Check the consistency after an hour as pellets (if you use them) take time to soak up the liquid and add more water to get a sloppy porridge consistency. You can always add more dry feed when you are ready to dish out if it is too wet but if it is too dry it doesn't work well. Recover and leave to stand for a couple of days or so to start working, giving it a quick stir and replacing the cover twice a day. You will see it gets a bubbly texture and smells yeasty once it is ready to feed to them. Dish out 1/2 to 2/3 of it into a pan and add more dry feed and water to the remaining stuff in the bucket, stir and cover and it will be ready to dish up the next day. I tend to leave the dry feed available throughout the day and feed the fermented feed once a day as a treat, but some people give two fermented feeds a day and don't offer dry food at all.... whatever suits your system. I use an old frying pan to serve it in. It really is as simple as that.

Obviously, if you are having another outbreak of coccidiosis, then you need to treat that. I wonder if it might be beneficial to try a different product like Corid (Amprolium) to see if that has a longer lasting benefit. With the Baycox (Toltrazuril), there seems to be a 6 week egg withdrawal period from what I have read, which is significant when your birds are now reaching POL. Here in the UK I believe it is 2weeks for Amprolium, but I'm pretty sure I've read that people in the US don't withdraw eggs at all after treatment with Corid..... Maybe discuss this with your vet..... you could always feed the eggs back to the chickens during the withdrawal period if they do start laying although if they have been sick that will slow development and egg production.

As regards a vitamin supplement to support their immune system, there are a few options in the US, like Poultry Nutri Drench, Poultry Cell and Rooster Booster. Hopefully, someone will correct me if any of this US info is incorrect.

Best wishes

Barbara