Natural way to deal with coccidiosis? Introducing backyard soil?

[FutureProdigy]

A while back I read from a member here about how she avoided medicated feed by introducing soil from her backyard slowly in to their brooder (I think that was the method).... The problem is I can't find the exact thread or post anymore. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? I would like to try incorporating this method but want to reread it first

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC.
There are many of us that bring dirt from our yard and place it in the brooder on day one...me included. And I have never had a Coccidiosis "issue" and I have never used medicated feed.
There are hundreds of posts about this exact subject so there is no way I can find the exact one you are looking for, but if you use the search option you may have luck finding the exact one you read.

 

[Kiki]

Here is a great thread to read through...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/medicated-vs-non-medicated-feed.1173248/#post-18462783

 

[Folly's place]

Many of us have minimal or no issues with coccidiosis, and it's great. I've always had broody raised chicks, out there from their first week, and no issues. Other folks have very severe problems unless they feed their chicks amprolium medicated feed for eight or ten weeks, so they can acclimate to the coccidia load in their environment.
There's no one answer, except that it depends; soil parasite load, moisture level that season, good luck, whatever. Mary

 

[EggSighted4Life]

A while back I read from a member here about how she avoided medicated feed by introducing soil from her backyard slowly in to their brooder (I think that was the method).... The problem is I can't find the exact thread or post anymore. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? I would like to try incorporating this method but want to reread it first

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Yes, I bring dirt in very early as well. But it isn't about cocci.. because it is in your brooder in EVERY single chick poop. So the best way to avoid cocci in the brooder is by keeping it dry, which can be a lot harder if you have a huge brood. But with only a few chicks has never been an issue for me. Also making sure they don't get poo in the water. This is a HUGE source. Bringing the soil in allows them to develop some resistance to whatever else might be lurking in your soil before they are tossed out full time, in addition to it being a great enriching activity for them.

My first spring here, I did have high levels of cocci in my pasture and my some of my chicks showed symptoms which I did treat for. Apparently the guy that owned the place before had a lot of birds and the weather helped it out that year, plus I didn't know about bringing dirt in or keeping initial visits outside a little shorter. Since then I have not had to treat for cocci and I haven't bought medicated feed since the first time I got chickens and the feed store acted like that's what you HAVE to do.

Medicated feed doesn't actually kill cocci and it isn't an anti biotic. It works by blocking thiamine and starving out the cocci to SLOW it's growth. It is ALWAYS present and not a problem until allowed to bloom out of control, which is easiest to happen in warm, humid conditions. And sometimes you can't fight the weather.

Good luck!