Birds going light...

Going light is generally caused by a protozoan parasite called Coccidia. Coccidia is common in adult birds and only rarely causes a problem with these. However the adults infect their babies when feeding and the poorly developed immune system of the babies is not able to block large numbers of them.

The Coccidia enter the bloodstream and completely change their form (they are often called atoxoplasma or many other names). These bugs get into the liver and spleen which they damage but, while there is enough functioning liver the birds grow perfectly normally. At around 8-12 weeks of age the liver damage reaches a critical point and the birds spend a lot of time eating but lose weight and die.

By the time symptoms show the liver damage is permanent. Feeding our Feast Eggfood reduces the workload on the liver and may save some birds however the liver will not repair so they will always be vulnerable.

The real trick with Coccidia is prevention. That means reducing the level of Coccidia in the adults (you won't eliminate them completely even with powerful drugs). You have three choices.

1. The top choice is to feed our Feast Eggfood as it contains anti-coccidial herbs as well as powerful immune support so keeps infestation levels down before and all through the breeding season.

2. If you can’t feed Feast you can add our Flourish supplement to other brands of soft food and that will add the same immune support and anti-coccidial herbs.

3. Generally we prefer the natural approach but if you have a genuine problem, we would also recommend the drug Acox in addition to Feast or Flourish for this season and the next. DO NOT give Acox whilst chicks are in the nest.