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[marianne40]

My little chicks are 3 weeks old tomorrow! I am currently feeding them chick crumbs, but have been advised that medicated chick crumbs will prevent coccidiosis when they go outside. I have searched the internet but no joy with finding these.

1) Is coccidiasis common?

2) Is there any other way it can be prevented!

 

I have a 2 1/2 year old should I be worried about him catching anything! else now or in future, I do wipe his hands after he touches them.

 

Thanks

Marianne

[Egluntyne]

I've always given my chicks unmedicated crumbs, for no better reason than that I have not been able to source any medicated ones locally.

 

A high standard of cleanliness, and not allowing the little ones anywhere near the droppings of the older hens is a sensible precaution, especially if the older ones foul the drinking water.

 

If your chicks are unlucky enough to develop coccidiosis, you can treat them with Coxoid, which is available on 'tinterweb.

 

As they get older, they develop a resistance to the illness.

[Redwing]

I dont feed medicated food as my chosen brand doesnt do it but I do 'treat' with a seven day treatment of Coxoid, you neednt actually do either

 

the main causes of cocci are:

 

Damp and dirty litter

Damp litter even if clean!

Contact with droppings of older birds

 

Dirty but dry litter isnt actually so much of a problem but daily cleaning out of chicks is recommended anyway and good practice

 

Cocci can strike quickly, I didnt do my 7 day preventative treatment on my recent batch of chicks and they did get cocci and I lost four chicks in four days if you dont feed medicated crumb do get a bottle of Coxoid in just in case, otherwise by the time you spot the cocci the delay in getting the treatment posted is too long, its not worth the risk

 

I think my problem was caused by the fact that I didnt throughly disinfect the brooder between hatches, I just cleaned it out with soapy water when the last lot left, its now been re-done with Poultry Sheild. A big lesson learned for me, the sides looked clean but were not hygenically clean, totally my fault and totally preventable

 

read up on the symptoms, the classic being blood in their poo but dropped wings and a sweet sickly smell around the brooder are also signs

[marianne40]

Ok Thanks for the tips. Keeping things dry is tricky! Even though I have kept the water on a wooden block as a read was good idea they often seem to knock it! Still now I know that it is a cause Ill be vigilent!

Really useful info for a novice! Thanks

[Madchook]

I have my older ones drinking from a rabbit bottle! Honestly, they have no trouble (first few days I left a small water dish in while they learnt) but now it all stays completely dry. it is such a godsend! Def worth a try if you are having problems with soggy bedding, I certainly was until I changed.