Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Beware of Coccidiosis
COCCIDIOSIS IS A VERY COMMON INTESTINAL DISEASE
caused by the
parasite coccidia that can be lethal to your vulnerable babies. Chicks pick up the pro-
tozoa by eating droppings in the feed or water or in their litter. If you notice blood in
the birds' droppings, they have coccidiosis. Quick action is required!
You need to promptly clean out the entire brooder and replace the bedding with
fresh stuff (maybe replace the cardboard box itself if that was your brooder route).
Chicks that have coccidiosis must be treated immediately. Have on hand an anticoc-
cidial (or coccidiostat), available online or at your feed store, for prompt treatment.
If started at the first signs of the disease it is effective.
As a precaution you can add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar per quart of
drinking water, from day one - especially if you prefer to feed organic food from the
get-go. Routinely, you should also thoroughly wash the waterers every time you refill
them.
