Post by Arlene on May 6, 2006 16:19:01 GMT -5
Cause. Intracellular parasites&emdash;coccidia&emdash;that live in the intestines.
Ages affected. All ages, although ducklings are affected more severely.
Source of infection. Coccidia are found wherever birds are kept. The life cycle of these protozoans consists of two phases:
* A dormant form (oocyst) outside the host. This form is passed in the droppings. Under moist and warm conditions it reaches its infective stage (sporocyst) within 1&endash;2 days.
* The multiplication stage within the host. Once the sporocyst is eaten by the bird, it hatches, penetrates, develops and multiplies within the intestinal cells. The organism reaches its final developmental stage (the oocyst) within 4&endash;10 days and is passed in the droppings. As the sporocyst is resistant to most common disinfectants, low temperature and dry environments, ducks can be at risk of infection all year round. This is particularly true where young ducks are kept in large numbers on the ground. Under this type of husbandry outbreaks can occur, causing sudden and serious losses. With low stocking densities, low levels of infection probably occur in most ducks due to the occasional ingestion of a sporocyst dropoped by wild birds. Under normal circumstances this low level of infection is self-limiting, clinically non-apparent and eventually leads to immunity.
Signs. Signs of infection vary and depend on the number of sporocysts ingested, the species of coccidia, age of the ducks and previous exposure to infection. In young ducklings (1&endash;8 weeks) sudden death may be the only manifestation of the disease. Mortalities may drag on for weeks with a few ducklings being found dead each day. More commonly, however, outbreaks are acute and last between 1&endash;2 weeks if untreated. Early signs may be present and include a tucked-up appearance, blood-stained vent, blood-tinged diarrhoea, and the inability to stand. In older flocks sub-optimal weight gain may be the only expression of the disease.
Diagnosis. Of the 13 species of coccidia reported from domestic and wild ducks only a few have been properly described and identified. Not all 13 species are pathogenic (disease-causing), and a 30 definitive diagnosis of coccidiosis as a cause of mortality or morbidity requires the finding of lesions in the intestines (these are greyish white circular spots and/or haemorrhages) and the microscopic examination of both the intestinal contents and wall scrapings for the various developmental stages of coccidia.
Treatment. To achieve satisfactory results ducks must be treated quickly. The drugs can be given in the feed or drinking water. It is better to put the medication in the drinking water, as ducks with coccidiosis tend to eat less. Various sulphonamides can be used. These drugs should be used in conjunction with vitamins K, A and B complex. The vitamins help in the control of intestinal bleeding and the regeneration of the damaged lining of the intestines. The sulphonamides should not be given over prolonged periods. The best results can be achieved by a 3-2-3 schedule (3 days medication, 2 days fresh unmedicated water and 3 days of repeat treatment). Of the sulphonamides, sulphadimidine given at 3 to 6 g per 10 ducks per day on the 3-2-3 basis is very successful. Control and prevention. Use good hygiene and a low stocking density. If you have had coccidiosis on your property, give low levels of sulphaquinoxaline (125 g/t feed) plus a multivitamin supplement for the first 8 weeks of life to keep the problem at bay. Alternatively, raising young ducklings off the ground can effectively prevent infection, especially if you have a high stocking rate and you do not wish to use medication continuously. Micriquinox is the medicine most regularly available in the UK
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Feeding and Waterfowl
Much has been written on how best to feed waterfowl and indeed perhaps too much and I am often asked how best to look after feeding stock.
Waterfowl generally get unfortunately classed as poultry and get fed accordingly.Although I keep both I try to feed waterfowl slightly differently.
Most important as with all stock, is the first 6 / 8 weeks.Ducks and geese grow at a much faster rate than chickens and therefore have a greater nutritional requirement early on. This is best achieved with a propriety starter crumbs of at least 18 % protein.With geese and heavy ducks I supplement this with extra protein and vitamins using fish meal brewers yeast and vitamin supplements ( for goats !) Lack of development in the first few weeks is almost impossible to rectify later. A word of caution however is to be careful of chick starter crumbs as some of the additives used (coccidistats) can be toxic to waterfowl who are generally susceptible to additive chemicals. Be persistent and ask feed companies which coccidistat they are using this season, someone in the feed mill will know the answer.
After the first 6 / 8 weeks I slowly change over to growers ration.I prefer to use a poultry grower without any medicants. Despite opinions to the contrary I have successfully used growers rations without coccidiosis for many years without any losses in poultry...even though all my stock are range reared. I also like to supplement rations with grass meal. This is an exceptional source of many vitamins and minerals and also beneficial for feather quality.Palatability is reduced if more than 5 % grass meal is included in any ration.
From about 8 weeks I start to introduce a proportion of cereals in to the growers ration but being careful not to add too much as the vitamin /mineral balance can be upset. I adjust this by addition of a mineral supplement.
I continue with this ration until about November when I switch to a complete wheat diet as I like to over winter my waterfowl lean and mean so that they don't get too fat. Whilst birds for showing are separated and fed differently.Six weeks before I want to start collecting eggs for breeding I switch to a good quality waterfowl breeders pellet to encourage fertility and hatchability. This system had worked successfully for me over many seasons .
Colin Murton
Ages affected. All ages, although ducklings are affected more severely.
Source of infection. Coccidia are found wherever birds are kept. The life cycle of these protozoans consists of two phases:
* A dormant form (oocyst) outside the host. This form is passed in the droppings. Under moist and warm conditions it reaches its infective stage (sporocyst) within 1&endash;2 days.
* The multiplication stage within the host. Once the sporocyst is eaten by the bird, it hatches, penetrates, develops and multiplies within the intestinal cells. The organism reaches its final developmental stage (the oocyst) within 4&endash;10 days and is passed in the droppings. As the sporocyst is resistant to most common disinfectants, low temperature and dry environments, ducks can be at risk of infection all year round. This is particularly true where young ducks are kept in large numbers on the ground. Under this type of husbandry outbreaks can occur, causing sudden and serious losses. With low stocking densities, low levels of infection probably occur in most ducks due to the occasional ingestion of a sporocyst dropoped by wild birds. Under normal circumstances this low level of infection is self-limiting, clinically non-apparent and eventually leads to immunity.
Signs. Signs of infection vary and depend on the number of sporocysts ingested, the species of coccidia, age of the ducks and previous exposure to infection. In young ducklings (1&endash;8 weeks) sudden death may be the only manifestation of the disease. Mortalities may drag on for weeks with a few ducklings being found dead each day. More commonly, however, outbreaks are acute and last between 1&endash;2 weeks if untreated. Early signs may be present and include a tucked-up appearance, blood-stained vent, blood-tinged diarrhoea, and the inability to stand. In older flocks sub-optimal weight gain may be the only expression of the disease.
Diagnosis. Of the 13 species of coccidia reported from domestic and wild ducks only a few have been properly described and identified. Not all 13 species are pathogenic (disease-causing), and a 30 definitive diagnosis of coccidiosis as a cause of mortality or morbidity requires the finding of lesions in the intestines (these are greyish white circular spots and/or haemorrhages) and the microscopic examination of both the intestinal contents and wall scrapings for the various developmental stages of coccidia.
Treatment. To achieve satisfactory results ducks must be treated quickly. The drugs can be given in the feed or drinking water. It is better to put the medication in the drinking water, as ducks with coccidiosis tend to eat less. Various sulphonamides can be used. These drugs should be used in conjunction with vitamins K, A and B complex. The vitamins help in the control of intestinal bleeding and the regeneration of the damaged lining of the intestines. The sulphonamides should not be given over prolonged periods. The best results can be achieved by a 3-2-3 schedule (3 days medication, 2 days fresh unmedicated water and 3 days of repeat treatment). Of the sulphonamides, sulphadimidine given at 3 to 6 g per 10 ducks per day on the 3-2-3 basis is very successful. Control and prevention. Use good hygiene and a low stocking density. If you have had coccidiosis on your property, give low levels of sulphaquinoxaline (125 g/t feed) plus a multivitamin supplement for the first 8 weeks of life to keep the problem at bay. Alternatively, raising young ducklings off the ground can effectively prevent infection, especially if you have a high stocking rate and you do not wish to use medication continuously. Micriquinox is the medicine most regularly available in the UK
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Feeding and Waterfowl
Much has been written on how best to feed waterfowl and indeed perhaps too much and I am often asked how best to look after feeding stock.
Waterfowl generally get unfortunately classed as poultry and get fed accordingly.Although I keep both I try to feed waterfowl slightly differently.
Most important as with all stock, is the first 6 / 8 weeks.Ducks and geese grow at a much faster rate than chickens and therefore have a greater nutritional requirement early on. This is best achieved with a propriety starter crumbs of at least 18 % protein.With geese and heavy ducks I supplement this with extra protein and vitamins using fish meal brewers yeast and vitamin supplements ( for goats !) Lack of development in the first few weeks is almost impossible to rectify later. A word of caution however is to be careful of chick starter crumbs as some of the additives used (coccidistats) can be toxic to waterfowl who are generally susceptible to additive chemicals. Be persistent and ask feed companies which coccidistat they are using this season, someone in the feed mill will know the answer.
After the first 6 / 8 weeks I slowly change over to growers ration.I prefer to use a poultry grower without any medicants. Despite opinions to the contrary I have successfully used growers rations without coccidiosis for many years without any losses in poultry...even though all my stock are range reared. I also like to supplement rations with grass meal. This is an exceptional source of many vitamins and minerals and also beneficial for feather quality.Palatability is reduced if more than 5 % grass meal is included in any ration.
From about 8 weeks I start to introduce a proportion of cereals in to the growers ration but being careful not to add too much as the vitamin /mineral balance can be upset. I adjust this by addition of a mineral supplement.
I continue with this ration until about November when I switch to a complete wheat diet as I like to over winter my waterfowl lean and mean so that they don't get too fat. Whilst birds for showing are separated and fed differently.Six weeks before I want to start collecting eggs for breeding I switch to a good quality waterfowl breeders pellet to encourage fertility and hatchability. This system had worked successfully for me over many seasons .
Colin Murton
