FOCUS: GOING LIGHT
THIS condition affects chicks shortly after they have been weaned. The young bird appears listless and puffed up, sits forlornly and won't feed or drink. Some die quickly, while others may last several days or weeks. If a young bird successfully completes its moult, it will generally survive the disease. It is present in adult canaries, but not generally fatal.
“Going light” is a symptom caused by parasites, known variously as coccidiosis, atoxoplasmosis or isosporiasis. Coccidia are single-celled organisms, which produce eggs called oocysts, invisible to the naked eye. The coccidian cell multiplies inside the tissues of the adult bird and oocysts are excreted with the bird's droppings. These oocysts can survive on cage or birdroom surfaces for an indefinite period and are difficult to treat or
