22/12/2025
COCCIDIOSIS
This is a protozoan disease that affects birds of all ages. It is caused by various species of Eimeria with Eimeria necatrix and Eimeria tenella being the most Pathogenic(causing more damage).
MODE OF TRANSMISSION
Through fecal-oral route, meaning, birds become infected when they accidentally ingest infected faeces. The infective stage of the disease is known as sporulated Oocysts and it is this sporulated Oocysts(present in their faeces) that birds ingest and become infected.
THE EFFECT OF COCCIDIOSIS ON BIRDS
The disease does not cause high mortality(death rate) but the morbidity(the rate at which birds get infected) can be very high.The Eimeria organism causes erosion(scraping) of the intestinal mucosa(lining of the intestines).
It is important to know that when food is eaten by an animal, the food is first of all digested. After digestion, the nutrients in the food responsible for the growth of the animal are released. These released nutrients has to be absorbed for the nourishment and well-being of the animal. Absorption in domestic animals takes place in the small intestine. Remember that Eimeria organism causes erosion of the intestinal wall/lining. Because of this erosion of the small intestinal wall, the small intestine will not be able to absorb nutrients in the digested food.
So, the major effect of Coccidiosis on birds is that the birds will be eating, but they will not be growing. So, the birds will be losing weight despite eating. This is the major economic effect Coccidiosis has on birds especially birds raised for meat such as broilers.
CLINICAL SIGNS
1. Weight loss despite eating well
2. Bloody faeces due to intestinal wall erosion/ulceration.
3. Impaired nutrient absorption leading to poor growth.
4. Death in severe cases.
TREATMENT
Any of the drugs below, should be given for 3 consecutive days.
1. Toltrazuril
2. Amprolium
3. Embazin Forte
4. Coccidia cure plus
5. Amprococ
6. Coxi-3
7. Amprosafe
8. Embacox
9. Zam anti-cox
10. Coccidex
PREVENTION/CONTROL
Coccidiosis outbreak is minimal in battery cage system. The disease is more common in deep litter system because the birds do have contact with their faeces, predisposing the birds to infection by ingesting the sporulated Oocysts that is always present in the infected faeces.. For deep litter system, the following preventive measures should be adopted.
1. Regular changing of litter.
2. Maintain dryness in the poultry pen.
3. If the litter/bedding is recently changed and is currently dry, removal of any bloody/reddish faeces will prevent spread of the disease in the flock.
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