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The main disease medicated feed is designed to combat is called 'coccidiosis.' This is caused by parasitic protozoan flukes that live in the intestines of chickens and alarmingly, the coccidia parasites are found everywhere - wild birds, other livestock, etc. So it is always likely that the poultry will be exposed to it quite often. However, if the immune system is working properly a resistance to the parasite should develop. Indeed it is arguable that low levels of exposure to the parasite are beneficial, by allowing the immune system to build an immunity.
Symptoms can vary depending on how serious the infection is. Most poultry with coccidiosis are, in fact, asymptomatic. In mild infestations, it may be that growth and weight of the birds are diminished. Typically any birds suffering from the infection of the coccidia parasites will be shabby looking and will tend to sit around, not moving around much.
Severe, unchecked infections can cause some rather nasty symptoms, the main one being rather frightening diarrhoea. This will probably have blood in it and may be yellow and frothy in extreme cases. In young birds and those birds that have compromised immune systems, necrotic enteritis (premature cell death within still living tissue) and eventual death results from the coccidiosis infection
The parasites are transmitted through contact with and ingestion of infected feces, found most often within the soil. Since we insist on crowding chickens into the same spaces, season after season, these flukes build up in the environment, unseen. As chickens go about their everyday business of ingesting insects, little "squirmy things" and small crop stones, they also take in some of their own manure or that of other animals.
Once the flukes develop and "set up shop" in the chicken, their eggs are released through the infected birds' droppings, and the cycle is repeated.
The best way to deal with the problem of coccidiosis is by making sure that good management practices are in place. This can include, for example, making sure that the water and bedding of the poultry are clean. The birds should also be fed and watered sufficiently so that they are discouraged from picking at the ground.... which sounds good in theory but is near impossible in practice.
Providing them with plenty of sunlight is also helpful.
There is also chemical help in the form of coccidiostats in the feed as well as adding probiotics to the drinking water. The most common treatment for coccidia is sulphonamides. This is what is added to chick starter and grower to get them through the trying first 8 weeks. After that, the medication is reduced until their immune systems develop.
