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Coccidiosis is a disease caused by the coccidial protozoan organism, an internal parasite called Eimeria. These live inside the cells that line the birds intestine. As they reproduce, they cause bleeding and swelling in the intestines. Birds loose a lot of liquid and cannot absorb nutrients from their food and will soon die if left untreated. Coccidiosis normally only infects young (growing) chickens. Older birds will build up an immunity over time.
Symptoms
As well as blood in droppings, ruffled feathers, a hunched up appearance, weight loss and a white diarrhea around vent feathers.
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Caution - Feeding Chick Crumbs to Ducklings.
Chick Crumbs often contain Anti-Coccidiostats (A.C.S) and should not be fed to ducklings.
Ducklings eat at a different rate to chicks and will quickly overdose on this drug.
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Coccidiosis Treatment
We are aware that in the absence of licensed alternatives, veterinarians do sometimes prescribe drugs such as Coxoid under the 'cascade' to treat coccidiosis in poultry. However, it is only a veterinarian who can advise on such use and we would be in breach of the veterinary medicines regulations and NOAH code of practice by supporting, or encouraging the use of a product on a non-target species.
Coxoid is administered in water. For it to be effective, it is important to do this quickly at the first signs of coccidiosis infection. Coxoid contains 3.84% of the drug amprolium hydrochloride which is a structural analogue of thiamine (vitamin B1). Amprolium hydrochloride mimicks it's structure, inhibiting thiamine utilisation by the parasite. It should be noted that Coccidiosis is not caused by bacteria and therfore does not respond to antibiotic treatment.
Preventing Coccidiosis
Keeping chicks and growers clean so they cannot peck at droppings is the most important preventative measure. I have used extra large cardboard boxes with layered newspaper in the bottom for small numbers of chicks for many years without problems. A couple of layers of newspaper can be removed in the morning and the evening and the cardboard box can be replaced with every hatch. Most chick crumbs and growers pellets contain Anti-Coccidiostats (Often shortened to ACS on the bag) that can protect against Coccidiosis. Do not mix different age groups of birds or put young birds on pasture that has recently had older birds on it. Older birds build up a resistance but can carry coccidials that can infect younger stock.
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Further Information:
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Keeping Chickens 
