Coccidiosis: An old problem with some new challenges

Coccidiosis in broiler houses remains a nagging challenge. While clinical manifestations are rare, it’s the subclinical condition that impacts the flock through poor feed efficiency and reduced growth rates. Not only does that weigh on a farms’ productivity and profitability, but also the birds’ well-being. “It’s the same old problem and it’s a moving target at the same time. It’s the same species coming at you in different ways, different seasons,” Phil Stayer, DVM at Sanderson Farms, told Poultry Health Today. “The tools have changed through the years; we’ve lost some good tools and gained some others. It’s a constant battle against this organism, and it’s been that way for 30 years.” What’s important is to have a strategy, be flexible and willing to test treatments to find what works best and what may need to change.