The most significant and common intestinal poultry disease, coccidiosis costs global poultry producers an estimated $300 million annually in production losses.

Working with a Merck Animal Health sales representative, producers can use the Coccivac Scheduler to collect trend data, as well as connect past coccidiosis programmes with performance issues. This will help provide insights to help minimise losses and maximise flock health. Using the features of the app, producers also will be able to develop a five-year coccidiosis management plan, including vaccination and rotation programmes, that will help support their efforts to more proactively manage the disease on their operations.

"By the time producers notice a lack of effectiveness in their current coccidiosis programs, the health of their flocks, as well as the profitability of the operation, could be impacted," said Charles Broussard, D.V.M., associate director, scientific marketing affairs at Merck Animal Health.

"Coccivac Scheduler is a valuable tool for producers that utilize data and trends to reveal shortfalls in current programmes – such as lack of efficacy in current in-feed anticoccidial products – before there is a decrease in flock performance. Identifying a problem early or using proactive measures to help minimise its impact saves time, money and birds," he added.

The easy-to-use app includes a comprehensive list of available in-feed anticoccidial products used to combat coccidiosis, as well as the Merck Animal Health Coccivac line of vaccines, which help prevent coccidiosis in chickens when vaccinated by spray at one day of age. While an in-feed medication protocol has been the industry standard, vaccination is critical to a successful, long-term coccidiosis management programme.

Based upon producers' inputs, the Coccivac Scheduler is used to create a customised best practices programme that addresses the timing of vaccination in rotation with other products. It helps eliminate traditional variables such as overuse of in-feed anticoccidials and not rotating chemicals from different classes which are often seen with standard coccidiosis management regimens. This approach allows producers to develop long-term disease management strategies to achieve profitable programmes that deliver more consistent results.

"At Merck Animal Health, we are committed to helping poultry producers protect their flocks from disease and have listened to their needs with regard to this health risk," said Dr Broussard. "With their needs in mind, the Coccivac Scheduler was developed – putting the power of designing an effective coccidiosis-control programme in their hands and helping them address the very real challenges they face daily in their operations."

Producers interested in using Coccivac Scheduler will begin with a consultation with a Merck Animal Health representative to review the poultry operations' past and current programmes, preferences for product usage and management practices. For more information about Coccivac Scheduler, producers and veterinarians can contact their Merck Animal Health representative.