Coccidiosis in turkeys: symptoms and treatment, causes and prevention

Poultry is prone to various infectious diseases. Infection often occurs when sanitary conditions in the poultry house are not observed, and livestock is not vaccinated in time. One of the dangerous diseases in turkeys is coccidiosis. The infection is actively spreading among turkey poults up to three weeks of age. If the farmer manages to identify the symptoms of coccidiosis in turkeys and provide timely treatment, then there is a chance to save the whole livestock.

Biology of the parasite

The causative agents of the disease are the protozoa of the coccidia class. Pets become infected after drinking stale water, food from dirty feeders. In turkeys, microorganisms multiply mainly in the small intestine. The first symptoms become noticeable a week after infection.

Parasites destroy the gastrointestinal tract. Subsequently, this leads to the death of the chicks. A turkey is not able to get infected from another bird, each species has its own coccidiosis parasite. Microorganisms multiply rapidly at high temperature and humidity. Birds are more likely to suffer from the disease in the spring and autumn.

Distinguish between acute and chronic forms of eimeriosis. In both forms, if untimely treated, the disease causes enormous damage to agriculture.

Causes and symptoms

Invasive disease is easier to prevent than to cure. As a preventive measure, the farmer monitors the condition of the poultry house, changes the litter, and provides comfortable conditions for keeping. The causes of the spread of the disease can be:

• incorrect room temperature, bird hypothermia;
• incorrectly selected diet that reduces the immunity of young animals;
• insufficient living space in the poultry house;
• non-compliance with sanitary rules, dirty drinkers and feeders, stale bedding;
• other external factors.

In order to timely detect signs of disease in turkeys, the farmer must know the symptoms of its appearance. The incubation period passes almost imperceptibly.

Main symptoms include:

• Turkey poults refusing food, drinking plenty of water;
• apathy, lethargy;
• eyes half closed;
• plumage falls off, ruffles;
• bloody diarrhoea.

In adult turkeys, the disease can be almost asymptomatic. In chicks, the signs are more pronounced.

Diagnostic Methods

The diagnosis is made after collecting an anamnesis, a symptomatic picture. When in doubt, diagnosis and treatment will help. Turkey poults are prescribed coccidiostatics, and when the condition of the chicks improves, eimeriosis is diagnosed. Drugs from the group of sulfinamides prevent the development of infection. The veterinarian prescribes specific medications depending on the condition of the bird, age. In case of mass illness, water-soluble preparations are used.

Features of treatment of coccidiosis in turkeys

When a dangerous disease is detected, infected turkeys are separated from other birds in a separate room. Sick chicks are prescribed antibiotics. The preparations are added to the feed, in the drinker, injected intramuscularly. When the condition of the chicks improves, the farmer continues the treatment anyway.

Vets prescribe drugs:

• Baycox;
• Monlar;
• "Amprolin";
• Solikoks;
• Diakoks and others.

The farm has not given the same drug to birds for more than two years, as they become addicted to the action of the main components.

Period after treatment

After treatment, turkeys show dysbacteriosis, so they need a recovery course. During this period, birds are introduced to the diet of vitamin supplements, probiotics. After a course of antibiotics in turkeys, the liver also suffers.

For a complete recovery of the body, the birds are prescribed drugs: Vetom, Colibacterin, Bifitrilak.

Disposal of dead birds

The meat of dead turkeys is forbidden to eat. The bird that died from the disease is destroyed by burning. The poultry house in which the infected individuals stayed is disinfected with special means. It is not recommended to populate the enclosure with new livestock for several weeks.

Prevention measures

To prevent the development of the disease, the poultry farmer must regularly carry out hygiene procedures in the place where turkeys are kept, follow the general rules for breeding pets:

• regularly wash feeders, drinkers;
• timely change bedding for fresh hay;
• disinfect the room;
• burn cells;
• carefully select food, follow the diet;
• change water daily;
• constantly control the behavior, external state of turkeys;
• vaccinate birds according to schedule;
• maintain optimal temperature and humidity in the turkey house.

In warm rainy weather it is not recommended to graze turkeys, as this is the most favorable time for the reproduction of harmful microorganisms. To grow a he althy livestock of turkeys, it is enough to follow preventive measures, hygiene standards when raising poultry in the household and industrial economy. Then the farmer will get quality meat and eggs.

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