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Chooks find secret to plucking up
22 Apr 2004
Queensland's Primary Industries Minister hopes a new vaccine will stop the spread of coccidiosis, a potentially deadly bacterial chicken disease. Coccidiosis is characterised by droopiness or depression, diarrhoea and sometimes blood in the droppings. Mr Palaszczuk said the disease costs the poultry industry $10 million a year. He told Qld Parliament yesterday the new vaccine, Eimeriavax, would stop its spread.
Queensland Farmers' Federation and chicken grower Gary Sansom said coccidiosis can be a significant problem, although there's no concern to humans, as it can affect a bird's "thriftiness" and its "ability to live a reasonably happy life".
The vaccine was developed by Primary Industries in conjunction with private company Eimeria. It can be administered to chicks as young as one day old.
The Courier-Mail, 22/4/04, page 11.
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