How do I minimize the proliferation of coccidia in Florida coops?

[MaryZoe]

It's the rainy season in Naples, Florida. Most of my coops are water tight, but a couple get wet in places, especially as this year has been stormy. Between the daily rains and the constant humidity, the coccidia parasites are surely having a field day. Literally. I have pine shavings over a dirt floor in my coop that gets wet. Question: does it make more sense to refresh the coop by piling more pine shavings on top of the existing shavings on a regular basis to keep the coccidia at bay, or should I fluff up/turn over the existing pine shavings to avoid the spread of cocci? I remove the shavings and add more about every two months during the rainy season, but I'm wondering whether I should do that more often. Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I believe coccidiosis lives in damp soil so you technically shouldn't have problems inside a coop unless you have a dirt floor. Change the bedding as needed and raising your chicks during the drier months as well as feeding a medicated feed should help them build immunity to it.

 

[ChickNanny13]

You and I have the same "problem"....Rain & humidity
My Chicken House is basically waterproof, the ground is solid clay & I do DLM with shavings. For some reason the back left corner seeps in water when we have heavy rains. I rake the dry shavings off to the side, rake the wet shaving to the front & center, rake the dry to the back corner. Then add more shaving on the wet, sprinkling DE, rake it around & the girls enjoy bathing in it (?).

They do their night pooping in the poop board & daily I stroll the enclosure for globs of poop which isn't much. I ferment my feed; aside from the nutritional benefits, their poop is firmer, less stinky & less overall

In the past I've taken some shavings with some of the clay dirt they've loosen & fill low spots or use in the garden. I add more shavings to kept it cushy & sprinkle DE. This is going on my second year using this set up and I'm happy with it, except for the back corner.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

How old are your chickens?

Usually adults have built an immunity/resistance any coccidia that they encounter in their current environment. The only time there is a problem is if one has a weakened immune system or underlying illness/condition that may allow an overload. Coccidia is everywhere, but keeping your manure managed, the run/coop relatively clean, raked and dry can help.

You can always give a "preventative" dose of Corid for 5-7days, if you're worried.
This would be 1/3teaspoon of Corid powder per gallon of water or 1/2teaspoon of Corid liquid per gallon of water. Make a new batch daily and give this as the water source.

After you finish treatment - offer poultry vitamins and probiotics/yogurt for a few days.

 

[MaryZoe]

Thanks for your comments. I do have a dirt floor in this coop, which I cover with shavings. Unfortunately this particular coop was built before I realized the entire coop has to be waterproof, so some water leaks in with every rain (despite my attempts to use tarps and such to cover it). It has been impossible to keep dry this summer.

We are wetter than we've been since we built the coop. Our yard is flooding and water is making its way into the sides of the coop. Sigh. I think we'll need to get a load of sand or rocks in the future to try to build up the entire area.

I have 3 week old littles with their mama hen in there right now. I might have to move them into a temporary cage in the garage until the water recedes. I'm sure they've built up immunity, but I can just imagine how happy the cocci are with all this warm rainy weather.

 

[MaryZoe]

You and I have the same "problem"....Rain & humidity
My Chicken House is basically waterproof, the ground is solid clay & I do DLM with shavings. For some reason the back left corner seeps in water when we have heavy rains. I rake the dry shavings off to the side, rake the wet shaving to the front & center, rake the dry to the back corner. Then add more shaving on the wet, sprinkling DE, rake it around & the girls enjoy bathing in it (?).

They do their night pooping in the poop board & daily I stroll the enclosure for globs of poop which isn't much. I ferment my feed; aside from the nutritional benefits, their poop is firmer, less stinky & less overall

In the past I've taken some shavings with some of the clay dirt they've loosen & fill low spots or use in the garden. I add more shavings to kept it cushy & sprinkle DE. This is going on my second year using this set up and I'm happy with it, except for the back corner.

Chick Nanny, you have a great set-up! Love your coop.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

O.K. So you have littles....they may have built some resistance already since they are with Mom and have been basically on ground since day one. Anytime they scratch/consume dirt they would most likely encounter and ingest a small amount of Coccidia. 3wks is a good time to start close watch just to make sure no one seems to be getting droopy or having problems.
You are right, warm wet weather is a breeding ground. Medicated feed or using a preventative dose of Corid may be helpful in building resistance.

I have never had to deal with much water except in a small part of uncovered run, so I can't really advise what to do - but sand and rock sounds like a good idea. I would imagine you are getting a lot of rain from the hurricane as well? Moving them may be a solution so they can have a drier area to be in until the water goes down.

I wish you all the best - I do understand your concerns - I don't want you to think I was was dismissing any of them. Coccidia can get out of control in a hurry if not monitored closely so it sounds like you are taking steps to head it off.

 

[theoldchick]

Talk to someone at the University of Florida, Poultry extension or your Florida extension agent. Due to the tropical atmosphere, Florida has unique challenges with raising livestock. Not only do you have to worry about coccidia but fungal infections run rampant in the moist air of Florida. Doing routine fecal tests will also help know what you have and don't forget about coccidia vaccines.

 

[andreanar]

What about changing your floor bedding altogether? I had this situation in my run a few yrs ago. I took everything out and put down a bunch of gravel stones then topped that off with coarse sand. The drainage was great and All I had to do was scoop the poop.

 

[ChickNanny13]

@MaryZoe - Thank you, it's simple and efficient. Wanted something airy for the warm & humid days, yet protection from the rains & storms we get.