Coccidiosis starts with an oocyst, or microscopic egg, that is passed through a chicken's droppings. The oocyst can lay dormant in soil for up to a year and doesn't become infectious (sporulate) until the surrounding conditions support its survival.
Can you get coccidia from chickens?
HOW IS IT SPREAD? Microscopic eggs, called oocysts, are ingested, then multiply in the intestines and are expelled in droppings. The eggs can be carried by wild birds, chickens from different flocks, on a person's shoes, clothing or equipment. Cocci is commonly transmitted through dirty water or contaminated food.
Can dogs get coccidia from chickens?
Coccidiosis, while present in both birds and dogs, is species specific. This means the strains carried by poultry cannot be passed to dogs and vice versa.
Can you eat eggs from chickens with coccidiosis?
You are likely wondering if it is safe to eat eggs or meat from chickens with coccidiosis. You can eat eggs from a chicken with coccidiosis as most chickens have a residual infection all the time, they are just immune to it. It depends more on the medication you treat the bird with than the infection itself.
What is coccidiosis caused by?
Coccidiosis is caused by protozoa of the phylum Apicomplexa, family Eimeriidae. In poultry, most species belong to the genus Eimeria and infect various sites in the intestine.
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