Michigan

[taprock]

I had a run in with coccidia this summer and had many calls in to MSU. A couple interesting things. First I was told new studies show it isn't so much the soil that keeps the oocysts alive but that earthworms are carriers. So much for getting rid of them! Second you can do immunizations but they are not recommended for birds that will be in contact with the soil because being exposed will do the same thing if they are on medicated feed or a coccidiostat. Also there are 9 varieties and there is no cross immunity. Bringing in new chicks isn't a problem as long as you feed medicated feed or a coccidiostat, however I have heard lots of arguments both ways for selling your birds after they are exposed. The vet told me "most already have it" but I think a responsible seller has to disclose they were exposed and let the buyer make the call.

Oh - also that it is very resistant to disinfectants. Another great web site the MSU vets recommended for information is http://ag.ansc.purdue.edu/poultry/extensio.htm

 

[fifelakelooper]

I did a little reading on it since it has come up....thanks for all the information and it sounds like you need to get additional acreage Chickmate!!

From what I read moist soil or bedding contributes to coccidiosis and also poop in the water.
If you have no husband to consult Chickmate...heck...just section off part of the living quarters in the house for the quarantine area.

I think it would be easy to have your flock grow and grow and grow if there weren't so many obsticles. So many beautiful chickens to choose from.
Thank you for the clarification on the Ada farmers flock by the way.....I did misunderstand.

My husband has strep throat and slept most the day yesterday after getting antibiotics from the doctor. Guess where he is now?? Yup...in the hunting shanty. He'd crawl out there if he had to and dreams of huge bucks with enormous racks!

 

[fuzzybutt love]

with mine i let the newbies be exposed, then quarentine them until they're better. Kinda like how some people do with their kids and chickenpox. I'm not 100%, but i think bleach water kills them. When they are going through it i am very careful to watch how they eat and drink, and i supplement with showbird pellets as they have more vitamins and healthy bacteria to help them. I also meticulously clean their water dishes and keep their newspapers changed, as it is in the poo. That way they get over it in a week and i don't have to worry about them catching it ouside and maybe getting too sick before i know what's going on.
Also, i have a vinyl floor in my coop that i wash with bleach water every day in the warm months to cut down on bacteria in general.

To germaphobes this may sound cruel, but if they get this as adults and you don't catch it it can kill them. I have done this successfully with an adult pullet, but you have to just let them catch it then get them away from the others so they don't get overloaded with it

 

[Farmerboy16]

I had coccidiosis issues before, and had lost many chicks to that even though the chicks ate medicated feed. I had to treat the chicks with Corid, it worked. I read somewhere that chicks raised by a broody are resistant to coccidiosis, for they scratch in their mother's droppings, and develop immunity to it. I have never lost a chick raised by a broody to coccidiosis.

ETA- The reason I think that my chicks had coccidiosis, is I did not give the chicks room in the brooder, and did not clean it often enough. My brooders were always smelly, and dirty. Since I had lost all of my birds to MG and Coryza, I have changed how I manage my farm. Right now I have chicks in the brooder in my brooder shed, and I am making sure that the bedding stays dry to prevent coccidiosis.

 

[G M]

I have raised over 300 chicks & have never lost a chick to coccidiosis. I do feed my chicks medicated feed as a preventative because it can be brought on by stress. I always tell people that buy chicks from me to feed medicated feed I keep my pens very clean and
reading all the posts here, I have not had the health issues others are having which I have seen posted here. Ada Farmer with BCM

 

[fuzzybutt love]

You guys must think my place is a horrible germ pitt! I am actually pretty careful about it, i just can't protect them from the dirt...I would never keep them from their scratching... I do feed the wild birds well away from mine, and don't let any but a few who are close to me visit with my birds. I use a renovated camper set into a shady nook as my coop de luxe, so they get sun in the winter, screens in the summer, and it's predator proof. I play the sheperdess when it's time to let them out, as we have lots of predators. I read that sunlight and extreme cold are great at killing germs; most of them anyway. So the snow is of some benefit, anyway! I have some of the happiest, tamest,spunkiest birds in the area! And the showbird supplement i give them makes for some super soft and shiny feathers!
(Just feeling akward since it seems my talk of sickness has set you all a worrying....)
On a different note, I have worked out some super nice saddles for my crew, and maybe by spring i might have some up for sale. I want to make "de luxe" saddles for those who want fancy! I will try to post pics as soon as my hubby gets done with hunting and can help me with this computer stuff! so far i have med, med/large, (roos) large, and for banty i have only my little cochin for reference. How much littler are the other banties??? These fit with the body good. I don't like gaps and puckers, and for the bottoms to flap around...

 

[teeville5]

Quote:
LOL. I just got the image of someone thinking 'hey, these look good' and looking in the center and seeing two melted eyes staring back.

 

[RaZ]

Quote:
X2

Spent a good bit of time reading up on this and some other diseases that have been discussed over the past few days. That's what nice about being in University and having access to the library network.

So as for me, I am going to continue as I have been so far. That means cleaning the coop, providing good food and fresh water. I will also continue to keep my flock stimulated enough that they don't become bored or stressed to the point that they are likely to be overwhelmed by any virus or parasite. I will not turn into a germophobe but will continue to practice due diligence.

 

[teeville5]

Quote:
Oh, I know what you mean. I get rather nervous letting our dog out at all because she could be mistaken for a deer. She isn't allowed to roam freely and we have an enclosed area off our back deck for her, but all the same, we're surrounded by corn fields and woody areas and it only takes one unobservant person to make a tragic mistake.
This is my Kenzie.

 

[chicken grandma]

Coccidia is easy to test. It is a stool sample/fecal test. Maybe testing new chickens that you bring on to your property is a good practice. Before you put them on your soil.
Knowing if your flock carries the parasite is probably also a good thing. Expecially if you plan to sell, trade chickens or bring in new chicks.