What do chickens get sick in summer

A chicken was delivered to FGBU "Krasnodarskaya MVL" from the private sector. When conducting parasitological studies, specialists from the Department of Bacteriology, Parasitology and Nutrient Media found oocysts of the causative agent of eimeriosis (coccidiosis).

Eimeriosis (coccidiosis) is a widespread protozoal disease of birds, the causative agent of which is unicellular protozoa of the Eimeriidae family of 9 species. Eimeria, depending on the species, parasitizes the intestines, liver, and some other organs. 

Young animals are especially sick with eimeriosis. Patients are depressed, lag behind in growth and development, they have diarrhea alternating with constipation. The disease lasts from 2 to 10 days and in most cases is fatal. Adult birds are usually carriers and appear clinically healthy.

Chickens can become infected in open yards and pastures through feed, water, bedding, soil, and feeders contaminated with coccidia oocysts. 

The following factors play the greatest role in the spread of coccidiosis: crowded housing, dampness in poultry houses, inadequate feeding, as well as improper rearing technology (raising young animals together with adult birds).

In small private and farm households, outbreaks of infection are most often observed in spring, summer and early autumn. This is because at this time the temperature and humidity levels are most favorable for the reproduction of eimeria. Moreover, in the warm season, chickens are raised, which are most susceptible to the disease.

For the timely detection of the pathogen and the implementation of treatment and preventive measures during these periods, it is necessary to conduct scheduled diagnostic studies . This will save the poultry population and prevent the spread of the disease.