Coccidiosis info

http://www.firststatevetsupply.com/poultry-health/coccidiosis.html

firststatevetsupply.com and the Author, Peter Brown.

MY condensed version on info for Cocci

Coccidiosis is caused by a Protozoan which is a single celled animal. Protozoa live in the birds intestine. They multiply in the intestine and cause damage to it, making it harder for the animal to digest food or convert food into amino acids or other nutrients. Some species of Coccidia can and do cause severe damage to the Intestinal lining and therefore make it difficult for the bird to absorb the necessary nutrients to nourish its body. There are nine(9) species of Coccidia that infect chickens. Each infects a different part of the intestine, at different ages, and at different strengths. All species of Coccidia are host specific. This means that Coccidia that are capable of infecting Chickens will not infect Turkeys and vice versa. Five of the nine species of Coccidia can be very aggressive and cause permanent Intestinal damage if not treated in time.

Emeria acervulina resides in the upper part of the small intestine and is usually found in birds that are eight weeks of age and older.

Emeria necatrix usually found in the middle areas of the small intestine and is usually responsible for the intestinal bleeding often seen with Coccidiosis and it usually attacks young birds.

Emeria tenella resides in the Cecal tonsil or blind pouches of the Intestine and usually causes what is called Cecal bloody Coccidiosis and is usually found in birds that are between five to eight weeks of age.

Emeria brunetti does its damage in the in the lower small intestine and the Cloaca or rectum of the bird.

Emeria maxima causes Intestinal damage in the middle to lower portions of the small Intestine.

Coccidiosis can be spread by contaminated feed and droppings from infected birds. Also water if droppings get in it. The infectious oocysts that cause Coccidiosis can be carried by man,litter,contaminated equipment and free flying birds. Cocci also exists naturally in some soil, and the oocysts are capable, under the right conditions, of surviving in the soil for periods of one year or longer.

Birds can build up some immunity to Cocci. It takes a lot of re-exposure to the Infectious oocysts in order for Immunity to Coccidiosis to develop. Immunity is not permanent nor is it guaranteed for the life of the bird. Basically, you must constantly re-expose them. There is no cross Immunity among the different species of Coccidia. This means that in order for birds to develop Immunity to all nine species of Coccidia they would have to be exposed to sufficient numbers of oocysts from all nine species.
--I would find it pointless to try this, you risk the birds health, spreading the disease to all your birds and maybe others if you somehow have all nine species and it really wouldn't help them much. They also will build some immunity up just from being in soil and/or eating it anyway.

Cocci thrives in a wet/moist environment. Try to keep the coop dry and clean.

Controlling Coccidiosis and still allowing immunity to build is accomplished in the following way. Use Amprol/Corid powder in the birds drinking water at the rate of one teaspoon per gallon of water for seven days and 1/8 teaspoon of 3-Nitro-W as well. Then skip twenty one days and then begin treating with Sulfadimethoxine at the rate of one ounce per two gallons of drinking water for five days. Then skip twenty one days again and start the treatment all over again beginning with the Amprol/Corid and the 3-Nitro-W powder. Continue this program until all birds are five to six months old or until the hens begin laying eggs and then discontinue the program and treat on an as needed basis. It is important to start the Amprol/Corid powder first and then use the Sulfadimethoxine as some species of Cocci cause intestinal bleeding and the use of Sulfa drugs first, will contribute to the bleeding before it makes the situation better.
*There is a method that uses droppings from older hens that have already built an/some immunity up to it. It said to take some droppings and mix in with a gallon or so of water, the chicks will drink it and supposedly build up immunity, but if that bird had cocci that was active it could infect the chicks.
It is also advisable to add 1/4 teaspoon of VITAMIN E to the water as research shows that VITAMIN E can help shorten the course of a Coccidiosis outbreak. When starting baby chicks it is important to start this program no later than ten days of age as this disease will kill baby chicks very quickly.

It takes approximately four to seven days for an Infection to take place in the Intestines.
Symptoms: Ruffled feathers,droopy or sleepy eyed apperance,birds may drop one or both wings,birds may become lethargic and reluctant to move even when prodded. Some birds may show an incoordinated gate or appear to stagger or walk as though they are trying to step over something when there is nothing in front of them. Some birds may have a chilled appearance as well. There may or may not be blood in the droppings depending upon the species of Cocci that is affecting the birds. Weight loss as well as loss of appetite and mortality may also be observed. **Diahrrea, mucousy poo are also symptoms.

Even a bird that has recovered from a Coccidiosis outbreak will remain Infectious as they are never really free of the disease.

Corrid, Amprol, Sulfa and Sulmet are used for treatment of Cocci the most often. Sulfe and Sulmet are harder on the chickens system, Corrid works best and Amprol. ***Go to a feed store or find online stores for these. Dosages should be listed on the bottle/product and how long treatment should last.
Info for drugs on site "Just a word of caution when using Sulfa drugs. Never use Sulfa drugs for longer than the suggested period of time. Never use two Sulfa drugs at the same time. Always use the proper dose for the drug being used. Always allow three weeks between the use of different Sulfa drugs,never use them back to back. The overuse of Sulfa drugs can and will if not properly used cause permanent and irreversable KIDNEY DAMAGE and RENAL SHUTDOWN (kidney failure ) . Use Sulfa drugs with confidence but with a sense of caution. It will be of value to use some 3-nitro-W in with the Corid/Amprol powder when treating for Cocci. There is a synergistic effect when the two are used together. Synergistic just means that the ability of the Corid/Amprol powder to fight Coccidiosis will be improved if the two are used together."

If you cannot get drugs for a few days or (I do not know how the drugs are all given) If they are not liquid needed to be added to water, then add Apple Cider Vinegar, the acidy helps with Cocci until you can get the appropriate meds. Also try and feed any live culture yogurts to keep the chicks system up.