In episode 47 of the Poultry Doc Podcast, Dr. Blayne Mozisek covers everything backyard chicken keepers need to know about coccidiosis. He explains why keeping baby chicks too clean can actually work against them, how low-level exposure to coccidia helps build natural immunity over time, and why introducing litter from a healthy existing flock is a great way to get a new chick’s gut flora off to a good start. He also walks through how medicated feed works and what and when to use amprolium (Corid).

Dr. Blayne also breaks down the biology of Eimeria and how coccidia damages the lining of the GI tract, why runny droppings are not always a sign of coccidiosis, and how a fecal flotation exam is the gold standard for knowing what you are actually dealing with. He wraps up with a reminder that stress is the number one factor that opens birds up to disease, and that keeping flock density manageable and birds together with their flock mates goes a long way toward keeping them healthy.

Learn more about coccidiosis.

0:00 Welcome and intro

0:06 Why keeping chicks too clean can backfire

1:14 Building immunity through good gut flora

2:03 Corid and amprolium: what medicated feed actually does

2:59 Fecal flotation: the gold standard for diagnosis

4:47 Eimeria explained: how coccidia damages the GI tract

5:52 Signs to watch for in baby chicks

6:31 Medicated feed, amprolium, and coccidiosis prevention

7:26 Stress and immunity: the overlooked factor