Coccidiosis in chickens: symptoms and treatment, prevention, vaccine, signs

Coccidiosis in domestic chickens is a contagious disease caused by protozoan unicellular parasites. Chickens have their own types of coccidia. Due to the developing inflammatory process, their digestive function is disturbed, nutrients are not absorbed. As a result, the bird dies from exhaustion, concomitant bacterial, viral infections. The danger of infection is the same for chickens of any age, but deadly for chickens.

What is coccidiosis

Chicken coccidia are eimeria or parasites that require a host and environment for full biological development.

Infection occurs through ingestion of eggs (oocysts) of coccidia. Depending on the type of pathogen, chickens are affected by the thick or small intestine. In a favorable environment, the shell of oocysts is destroyed, and sporozoites (mobile unicellular forms) are introduced into the intestinal epithelium.

Further transformation of the parasite includes several stages:

1. Schizogony:

• transformation into a multinucleated trophozoite cell;
• first division (schizont) into mononuclear merozoite cells, with destruction of the host cell;
• isolation of merozoites into the intestinal lumen;
• repenetration into the epithelial layer;
• second schizont;
• cycle repeat;
• end of asexual reproduction.

2. Gametogony:

• on 3, 4 schizont germ cells are formed (female - macrogametocides and male - microgametocides);
• as a result of their fusion, a zygote develops;
• after the end of the formation of the shell, it turns into an oocyst and is excreted with feces into the external environment.

3. Sporogony:

• under favorable conditions for humidity and temperature, oocysts “ripen” and divide into sporoblasts;
• sporoblasts are sheathed;
• become spores capable of infecting birds.

In adult birds, coccidiosis is mild, but can become chronic. High mortality is observed in diseased chickens under the age of 8 weeks: 80-100%. This is explained by the weakness of the immune system of young animals.

Causes of disease in chickens

Coccidia eggs retain their invasive properties for 12 months. The source of infection can be:

1. Infection carriers:

• birds sick in the chronic stage;
• recently recovered chickens.

2. Non-compliance with sanitary standards for keeping young animals:

• litter, feeders, drinkers contaminated with feces;
• inventory;
• workwear;
• high temperature and humidity.

3. Oocyst-infested food, water, soil for free range.

The chance of infection is highest when infected chickens are carriers.

Main symptoms of the disease

Manifestations of the pathological process depend on the stage of development of coccidia and the age of the bird.

Pre-latency period. Passes unnoticed. Oocysts turn into eimeria. The first signs of coccidiosis appear on days 6-21.

Initial phase (introduction and reproduction of unicellular forms). The well-being of chickens deteriorates sharply due to inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. The duration of the first schizont is 5 days. In chickens older than 2 months or with good immunity, the disease is mild or becomes chronic.

In chicks and weakened young hens, the symptoms of coccidiosis become more pronounced. The intestines stop working. There is blood in the stool. The bird loses weight, becomes lethargic, mostly sits. The second clinical period lasts 7 days.

Against the background of a sharp decline in strength, reduced immunity, staphyllo-, streptococcal infections, E. coli begin to develop. Affected chickens show signs of anemia: the wattles and comb turn pale pink. The nervous system begins to suffer, which is expressed in lameness, paresis of the wings. The feathers are ruffled, the goiter sags. The frequent stool turns into diarrhea with green, reddish-brown stools. At this stage, the death of chickens, young chickens may occur.

If the immune forces of the body, drugs stopped asexual reproduction, then a slow recovery begins. The chair is normalized, blood in excrements disappears, a hemopoiesis is restored. The death of a bird at this stage can be caused by dystrophic changes. There are spores of coccidia in the feces.

Recovery ends with the restoration of all body functions. For 1-4 weeks, ill chickens are the source of Eimeria eggs.

Diagnosis of disease

The diagnosis of coccidiosis is based on a comparison of 4 factors:

• sanitary conditions for poultry;
• disease symptoms;
• results of post-mortem examination of the intestine;
• data from laboratory tests of feces for the presence of oocysts.

Based on the information received, the type of protozoa and the degree of infection are identified.

How to deal with disease in birds

Treatment for coccidiosis is to block the development of parasites or kill them.

Coccidiostatics

Coccidiostatic drugs affect the formation in the intestine of enzymes, vitamins necessary for the formation of trophozoites, schizont. A sick chicken is treated by injecting coccidiostatics into food or drink.

Drugs used for coccidiosis:

• Decox;
• Coccidine;
• Amprolium;
• Baycox;
• Saccox.

Applied doses, duration of treatment are indicated in the instructions for use. For example, Amprolium is mixed with feed in a ratio of 2.5 grams per 10 kilograms and given to chickens for a week. Baycox is added to drinking water as a 2.5% solution: 10 milliliters per 10 liters. Treatment continues for 2 days. In case of severe symptoms of coccidiosis, the procedure is repeated after 5 days.

Antibiotics

Bacteriostatic antimicrobials are used to kill parasites. The mechanism of influence is to replace the amino acids necessary for the development of coccidia with chemical analogues. As a result, the formation of nucleic acids is disrupted, and the pathogen cell cannot function and multiply.

Antibacterial agents used to treat coccidiosis in chickens, young chickens: nitrofurans, sulfalazoles. Peculiarities of antibiotic treatment: increase in vitamin B1 and A in the feed; to avoid the emergence of resistant strains of coccidia, do not use one medicine for more than a year.

Some chicken breeders consider "human" antibiotics more effective against coccidiosis than veterinary drugs. The five-day course includes taking Levomycetin, Erythromycin, Metronidazole in combination with the Trivit vitamin complex. In a liter of water, mix 1 tablet of antibiotic and ½ tablet of Trivit. On days 4 and 5, mix 2 tablets of antibiotics (Levomycetin + Erythromycin; Erythromycin + Metronidazole) and ½ tablet of Trivit.

Probiotics in complex treatment

Probiotics are preparations containing live bacteria that restore the intestinal microflora after antibiotic treatment. They are useful for poultry at any age, as they strengthen the immune system, promote growth, weight gain, and egg production.

For chickens, laying hens, boilers, veterinarians recommend introducing OLIN, Bioximin Chicken, Chiktonik into drinking water.

Folk remedies

Folk medicinal methods against coccidiosis are ineffective. Only modern medicines can help against the pathogen, without which the mortality rate of young animals will be 100%.

Consequences

Untimely veterinary care for coccidiosis will lead to the death of chicks and young chickens.

In adult birds, the disease occurs in the form of poisoning, with a slight violation of appetite and stool. The pathogen dies under the influence of the immune forces of the body. But such individuals remain carriers of oocysts released into the external environment for 2 months.

Recovery of young animals after an acute form of coccidiosis is slow. With advanced forms of the disease, the likelihood of a complete recovery is very small. Breeders in such cases prefer to destroy sick chickens.

What to do to prevent the spread of infection in the chicken coop

It is completely impossible to get rid of oocysts due to resistance to disinfectants based on phenol, manganese, ammonia. The cage keeping of chicks up to 8-9 weeks old protects them from infection with spores, which can occur during floor keeping. Periodic firing of cells helps achieve sterility.

A bird in a chicken coop should have enough space for walking, a lot of light and air. When kept in an aviary, the territory must be cleaned of feces weekly. Feeders are emptied after each meal.

Prevention measures

The preventive measure against an outbreak of coccidiosis is to vaccinate livestock, including eggs. When 1-2 sick birds are found, veterinary drugs are introduced into food and drink in prophylactic doses.

Popular coccidiosis vaccines:

• Cocciprodin (except laying hens);
• Baycox;
• Avicox (chicks up to 9 days of age).

Coccyprodin, Baycox is added to water (10 milliliters per 10 liters) for 2 days. Avikoks is given once in food or drink.

Can I eat chicken meat with coccidiosis

Oocysts may persist after the chicken has recovered. For humans, bird eimeria do not pose a threat. But the slaughter of broilers is carried out 7 days after the cessation of treatment. Heat treatment, freezing kill viable spores. With early slaughter, carcasses are sent for processing into meat and bone meal.

When coccidiosis is treated with antibiotics, chicken meat and eggs are not edible for 14 days after treatment.

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