Coccidiosis and Haemorrhagic Enteritis in Poultry
Coccidiosis is one of the quietest sources of loss in Egyptian broiler farms. It does not always cause mass mortality; more often it slows growth and ruins feed conversion, eating the profit margin. The cause is a protozoan of the genus Eimeria that invades intestinal cells and multiplies in damp litter. Hot summers, foggers and poor drainage in Delta houses create ideal conditions, especially between the third and sixth week.
Eimeria species and outbreak triggers
Several Eimeria species exist and each targets a different part of the gut: E. tenella attacks the caeca and causes obvious bloody droppings, E. acervulina damages the upper small intestine and slows growth, and E. maxima and E. necatrix affect the mid and lower intestine. Knowing the species helps the veterinarian choose the right anticoccidial.
Outbreaks follow three factors: wet litter with high moisture, high bird density and repeated contamination from a previous cycle. Spilled drinker water creates pockets where the parasite multiplies. Young birds have less immunity, while older birds may carry infection without clear signs yet keep contaminating the house.
Signs and diagnosis
In classic cases owners see bloody or mucus-covered droppings, pale combs and wattles, and lower feed intake while birds stay thirsty. Affected birds gather at feeders without eating and mortality climbs gradually. In subclinical cases there is no visible blood, yet feed conversion quietly deteriorates with no obvious cause.
Diagnosis relies on examining litter and the gut at post-mortem, where the intestine is swollen and congested with white or haemorrhagic spots depending on species. Microscopic examination of droppings confirms the oocysts. Blood alone does not prove coccidiosis, because clostridia and Newcastle disease can look similar, so veterinary assessment is essential.
Treatment and anticoccidials
The veterinarian selects an anticoccidial such as amprolium, a sulfonamide or toltrazuril, and sets dose and duration according to species, age and severity. Some products carry a withdrawal period before slaughter that must be respected exactly to protect consumers. Reusing old compounds without a diagnosis only breeds resistance.
In broilers, ionophore anticoccidials are added to feed as prevention, with rotation between cycles to limit resistance. During an acute outbreak the veterinarian may prescribe water medication, then resume the preventive programme. Every product should be used under veterinary supervision and at a registered dose.
- Never use an anticoccidial on your own or at a reduced dose.
- Respect the withdrawal period printed on the label before selling birds.
- Rotate preventive compounds between cycles to reduce resistance.
- Separate severely affected birds where practical.
- Record treatment dates and products in the farm logbook.
Prevention at source
The most important preventive step is keeping litter dry and crumbly, raising drinkers to the right height and maintaining them to stop leaks. Good ventilation pulls moisture out of litter and limits parasite multiplication. Remove wet litter around drinkers daily and replace it with clean, dry material.
Cleaning and disinfecting water lines reduces parasite pressure, and equipment from our poultry supplies helps. Supporting birds with vitamins, especially A and K, plus minerals offsets losses, with suitability decided by your vet through poultry vitamins. Use parasite control to limit contamination vectors.
Conclusion
Coccidiosis is a management disease before it is a drug problem. Dry litter, working drinkers, between-cycle disinfection and responsible anticoccidial use under veterinary supervision protect feed conversion and prevent silent losses.
This article is general guidance and is not a substitute for examining your animal by a licensed veterinarian. In emergencies, contact your vet immediately.
