Coccidiosis: Bird Disease

Coccidiosis is a disease caused by the invasion of the digestive tract by microscopic single celled protozoan parasites, called Coccidia. Coccidia are almost ubiquitous parasites and rearing birds away from them is practically impossible. A mild coccidiosis infection, kept under control, is not very harmful and is actually necessary for creating immunity in replacement flocks. However, a severe attack of coccidiosis can cause great loss to poultry fanners due to mortality and morbidity. There are hundreds of types of Coccidia, but only few (of genuses Eimeria) ore important to poultry farmers. These include Elmeria, Lenella, E. necatrix, E. maxima, E. burnelli.

Transmission:

Coccidiosis spreads from bird to bird through eating or drinking contaminated food, water, litter or other material contaminated with Coccidia. Oocysts are carried mechanically by attendants, equipments, animals, wild birds or insects from place to place.

Symptoms:

Most of the external symptoms like ruffled feathers, unthrift ness paleness, loss of appetite and blood in droppings are the result of destruction of inner lining of intestine including cecae which hinders in the absorption of feed materials from gut to blood.

Prevention and control:

It is very difficulty to avoid contact of bird with Coccidia, hence the sound management practices should be followed to allow the birds to build up immunity and yet keep the disease under control. Feeding of law level of a good coccidiostat though has been found quite effective. Treatment: Several drugs are used in feed to treat coccidiosis may also be given in water as shown in table.