Coccidiosis is often blamed when poultry flocks show signs of poor health and performance. However, as poultry vet Allan Ball says, coccidiosis is only part of the picture, with other factors often contributing to the problem.
When poor bird performance is investigated, coccidiosis is often the first condition that comes to mind because it is noticeably visible during necropsy exams, despite coccidiosis also being seen in birds that are performing well.
“When we examine birds, it’s easy to see the lesions caused by coccidiosis, and as a result, it tends to be a go-to diagnosis,” explains Allan Ball, poultry vet and clinical director at Slate Hall Veterinary Services.
“However, the prevalence of coccidiosis doesn’t always fully explain poor performance – it’s just one piece of a much more complex puzzle.”
Coccidiosis exposure is inevitable in broiler production systems, he adds.
“Every flock will experience some level of cocci during the crop,” says Ball.
“A low-level cocci presence is not necessarily a clinical problem – what matters is how well the birds cope, which is often determined by their immune status and environmental challenges.”
Complexity of flock health
Misdiagnosing a health issue as coccidiosis can lead to unnecessary treatments, increased losses, and impact on crop turnaround times.
“We’ve seen plenty of cases where cocci gets blamed but further investigation reveals an underlying issue,” Ball explains.
“Gumboro disease or enteric viral challenges, for instance, can compromise gut function and make birds more vulnerable to coccidiosis. They don’t always present in an obvious way, but they can tip the balance.”
Shed environmental conditions are another major contributor. “Coccidiosis thrives in warm, damp litter,” he says.
“If shed humidity and ventilation aren’t managed well, it creates ideal conditions for low level coccidial cycling to intensify. Poor bedding quality, leaking drinker lines and short turnarounds only add to the environmental challenge.”
That’s why Ball encourages producers to go beyond a surface-level assessment and take a holistic view of what might be affecting flock health.
Intestinal Integrity
To provide a broader picture by focusing on the entire digestive system beyond coccidiosis, Ball suggests producers consider using the Elanco Intestinal Integrity (I2) index as a measurement tool.
The concept encompasses all parts of the effective functioning of the digestive tract, including the gizzard and caeca, as key contributors to overall gut health.
“Good gut health, or Intestinal Integrity, goes beyond just managing coccidiosis. It also predicts the bird’s ability to digest food properly, with the gizzard and caeca playing vital roles.
“The gizzard helps to mechanically break down feed, while the caeca helps maintain a balanced intestinal bacterial population, both crucial for effective digestion and nutrient absorption.”
Elanco’s HTSi (Health Tracking System) tracks and evaluates I2, delivering a score that considers not only coccidiosis but also gut health factors, like gizzard, intestinal and caecal health.
The score ranges from 0 to 100, helping producers assess the overall health of the flock.
“The I2 score gives us valuable insights into gut health beyond coccidiosis. It’s an important tool for identifying potential issues with the bird’s immune system, digestion, and nutrient absorption.”
Accurate diagnosis
If coccidiosis is not the primary factor, the root cause could be left undiagnosed, potentially leading to more significant health and performance issues down the line.
Ball stresses that accurate diagnostics should include routine post-mortems, serology, PCR testing, and other investigative tools to assess the flock’s gut health, and identify whether birds are truly struggling with coccidiosis, or if other diseases or environmental factors are contributing to the issue.
“Monitoring faecal samples for oocyst counts can be crucial in determining the severity of coccidiosis and understanding how the bird’s immune system is responding to the challenge,” he explains.
“We’ve seen cases where coccidiosis was suspected, but when we examined the birds further, other factors – like an underlying immune suppression due to Gumboro challenge – were at play.”
Early intervention based on proper diagnostics can help limit the damage caused by coccidiosis and improve performance, he adds.
“If the bird’s immune system is compromised, it may not respond well to a coccidiosis challenge. That’s why understanding the broader context of flock health, not just the coccidiosis status, is so important.”
Coccidiosis management
In terms of practical steps, Ball recommends a comprehensive approach that includes monitoring water and feed consumption, assessing litter conditions, and routinely checking for abnormal faecal mass, which could indicate more than just coccidiosis.
He says: “We can’t just focus on one disease. A complete health check, including analysis of environmental factors and the bird’s immune status, is the only way to truly understand what’s affecting the flock.”
Environmental control is critical when it comes to managing coccidiosis, he reiterates.
“Effective humidity control is one of the most effective tools for reducing coccidiosis replication. Without this, you’re fighting an uphill battle,” says Ball.
He advises poultry managers to invest in good-quality bedding materials that absorb moisture well and to consider investing in indirect heating or biomass systems that help lower humidity levels in sheds.
“These small changes can make a big difference in controlling coccidiosis and improving bird health,” he adds.
Ball also highlights the importance of changing bedding materials and adjusting ventilation strategies.
“Many farmers get into a routine with the same bedding or ventilation settings, but sometimes a small change can reduce moisture and improve the environment for the birds. It’s about being flexible and adapting to what the birds need.”
By focusing on both disease control and environmental conditions, poultry producers can ensure that their flocks remain healthy, productive, and resilient to challenges like coccidiosis.