preventing Coccidiosis using organic feed

[stretchc1]

My first-ever chicks are due the first week of May. I have ordered organic starter feed from My Pet Chicken. As near as I can tell, the feed is not medicated and thus will not protect the babies from the disease.

The chicks will be vaccinated against Marek's, but I think it prudent to give them something for the Coccidiosis--no? If so, is there something I can add to their water? to the feed?

 

[Southernbelle]

McMurrays offers a Coccidia vaccine - does MPC?

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

cocci will cause a problem if you let you litter get wet.(spilled water) I've not used med. feed or anything else for cocci in 3 years with out a problem. keeping them dry is the key.

 

[speckledhen]

I have had plenty of cocci issues in the past year and the youngsters are kept dry and clean AND on medicated feed. I believe that the preventative dosage in feeds is not as effective anymore plus they really prevent them from building natural immunity to cocci. I'm changing my entire feeding program to non-medicated feed and will treat cocci with Corid when necessary. Sulmet is not effective against one type of cocci, which is what I think my birds are experiencing. Anyone who has seen my setup and my management, know that they aren't getting cocci due to wet or dirty conditions.
If you live in a dry locale, you will have less problem with the protozoan than if you live in humid Ga like I do.
Some people just let them fight cocci on their own. Yes, there are losses, but then the survivors are your strongest birds. That's quite difficult to deal with for most people, though.

 

[cluckychick]

Cocci will also flourish in hot humid weather. Chicks need to build immunities to it. Newly hatched chicks under a broody will eat mommas poo, thus transference of immunities. Inucubated chicks don't get that. Allowing chicks outside on nice days to pick at the dirt will help booster their immunities. If an outbreak happens have Corid on hand and follow manufactures instructions. Good Luck

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

This is a little off topic but does cocci have bad years were no matter what you do its bad, then some years you don't have a problem?

 

[speckledhen]

That is true, about the broody babies. My chicks with broodies don't tend to get cocci, or haven't so far. And they are pecking on the same ground as the other chicks.

 

[purecountrychicken]

If you keep your brooder clean,,,you wont have a problem with cocci. I dont use medicated feed and dont have any problems. The key is cleanliness.

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

clean and dry

 

[AHappychick]

organic powdered milk, ACV in water, DE, if grated apples. there is a good list of organic methods if you search a bit, I have used all of the above and now only go the organic route with my personal layers for food, everyone else gets Amprol or Corri depending on whether they are for me, breeding or whatever. I have had sucess with all but in some cases lost a few birds.

you will know if they get it you will see blood in their poop.

edited to say I keep very clean and dry brooders so it is not always that I believe my cocci came from my cat since I had one treated for it 4 years ago and a $2000 vet bill to prove it (little bugger almost died) anyway my cat lives in my basement and that is the only way I have been able to figure that all my chicks get it around the 4 week mark. Now I just prepare for the inevitable.