Let’s Chat About Coccidiosis…
Coccidiosis is caused by Coccidia — a protozoan parasite that infects the intestinal tract of chickens. With a typical life cycle of 1 week, it’s often just treated as such (for 1 week); however, many people find that it comes back again shortly thereafter — and that’s because they don’t treat it for long enough. Chicken health is an important topic, and understanding not only how Coccidiosis presents itself in your flock, but also how it’s spread (through fecal matter) and what the ramifications are of treating it — especially if you’re collecting eggs to eat!
SIGNS + SYMPTOMS:
- Hunched over
- Eyes closed
- Blood in loose droppings (sometimes)
- Mucus in corners of eyes
- Anemia (pale comb & wattles)
- Ruffled feathers
- Loss of appetite (& weight loss)
TREATMENT
It is recommended to treat Coccidiosis with CORID (amprolium 9.6% solution) by adding 2 tsp per gallon of water, changed daily as the ONLY source of water — and treat whole flock for 5–7 days. Do NOT give other medications OR vitamins during treatment; only CORID water and feed.
After one week, follow up with 1/2 tsp per gallon for an additional week to kill any remaining protozoa. This is what is recommended for a severe outbreak. If non-severe, use only 1 tsp per gallon to treat chickens for Coccidiosis.
After treatment days are over, give Poultry Cell in water done the same way for 3-4 days to replenish vitamins. Coccidia lives on the vitamin thiamine (b1); and CORID strips all vitamins, therefore killing the Coccidia. That’s why we recommend only giving CORID water and feed during treatment days — and liquid vitamins after treatment days.
Homeopathic treatment (& prevention) methods include offering crushed garlic, honey in food, as well as a Tbsp of ACV in water. Although ACV has not been scientifically proven to actually help with or prevent Coccidiosis, many chicken farmers swear by it and give it occasionally as a preventative (perhaps monthly, not all the time).
A Note on Egg Withdrawal
Amprolium (CORID) is approved for use in laying hens by the FDA, which means there is no egg withdrawal period when using it. Eggs laid by hens may be eaten during and after treatment with amprolium. Additionally, there is no egg withdrawal period when using Rooster Booster Poultry Cell either.
Source: Merck’s Veterinary Manual, Boehringer Ingelheim.
Written by: Clif Castleman (who is completing his Veterinary Poultry Science degree)
I am currently treating my chickens with Corid. Your info is awesome. I do have a question. If it’s not a severe outbreak, after 7 day treatment can I give them electrolyte water right away or do we need to treat with 1/2 teaspoon in gal of water for another week. Thank you in advance.
Daphne Wilson
Hey thank you for your information. Can you tell me if between Corid treatment you treat with vitamins? Regarding severe outbreak…For example: treat 7 days 2 tsp a day in water, break for 7 days, then treat again 7 days with 1 tsp. During the break should I give poultry cell or no poultry cell? I’m aware poultry cell should be given after all treatments for 3-4 days. I was confused with during the break.
Absolutely! We don’t recommend treating with CORID unless absolutely needed (aka positive signs of Coccidia -OR- a positive fecal float test), since it’s such a harsh medicine. After treating, be sure to give vitamin rich foods and supplements such as Poultry Cell, Nutri-Drench, etc.
We have a 3-year-old easter egger. She has most of the signs of coccidiosis – no blood in droppings or mucus in eyes. Rest of flock is fine- She has taken a turn for the worse today- Head tucked into wing – is it too late to treat with Corid?
What do her droppings look like? Sadly, MANY other ailments of chickens look similar. CORID is one of those things that I’d not recommend without just cause. In fact, I’d try vitamin supplements like Poultry Cell or Nutri-Drench for your chicken instead.
I have 8 week old chicks they seem fine. Very active the only symptom is I found bloody poop in their run. Should I still treat with Corid or is their other reasons for bloody poop?
At that age, really the only reason for seeing bloody poop is Coccidiosis, I would definitely start treating with CORID immediately.
I have 4 roughly 3 week old chicks and a roughly five week old. All are starting to show watery diarrhea, but no blood. They eat and drink well and are active. Is this early coccidiosis that should be treated with Corid?
I have four 3 week old chicks and a roughly five week old. All are starting to show watery diarrhea, but no blood. They eat and drink well and are active. Is this early coccidiosis that should be treated with Corid?
My chicks are showing watery diarrhea, but no blood. They eat and drink well and most are active. Only have one that seems less active. How do I know if this is coccidiosis or if I should treat with Corid?
HI,
I have a two week old chick that had persistent pasty butt. I thought it was completely cleared… fuzzy clean butt, nice normal looking poos. Today, she had runny poop that had an orange gelatinous blob it it. It does not appear bloody to me. Her vent also has a bit of white crust. I read that these can be signs of coccidiosis. I’m hesitant to treat with corid but will if need be, of course. Thanks in advance for your help!
Im not positive that I have a Coccidiosis infection, but maybe? Can i treat my flock with Corid? I had 1 hen that started to isolate herself, not walking much. Took her inside, and she just got worse. Had bright green smelly diarrhea, stopped eating and drinking. Sadly she did pass away. Now I have another hen that is starting the same, she is keeping away from the rest of the flock and not walking much. No diarrhea at this time. Can I treat with Corid? None of my other chickens are showing nay of these signs