The biggest health challenge when raising chicks

Coccidiosis is the most common killer of young chicks in their first few weeks of life.

It is a gut parasite that is easily transported as eggs (oocysts), even on the feet of flies. It thrives in hot, wet conditions like those you commonly find in brooders. Chicks can pick up a large dose of ‘cocci’ (pronounced ‘cocksy’) while pecking around the floor, especially if it is damp and soiled.

Prevention is key:

keep the brooder dry – chickspecific waterers and a highly absorbent bedding like wood shavings are important;

feed a medicated chick starter crumble – this helps to reduce the effect, but won’t stop it if there’s a large or sudden build-up of coccidia oocysts;

check chicks carefully and regularly throughout the day – symptoms include bloody droppings, chicks standing around with their eyes closed and chicks with cold feet.

Chicks are particularly at risk at around the 4-5 week mark. This is when you’ll be going from a heated brooder to no heat, possibly changing feed (from starter to grower), and perhaps introducing chicks to older members of the flock.

This can result in a huge build-up of cocciodia oocysts in the gut lining. It’s important to have a medication on-hand so you can treat chicks immediately if you see symptoms or they can die very quickly (within 24 hours). The best options are Coxiprol

and Baycox.