Coccidiosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
TL;DR: Coccidiosis is caused by Eimeria parasites and shows up mainly as bloody or dark reddish droppings — the single most reliable sign, especially in chicks. Treat with alternating Sulpar QR (morning) and Premoxil (afternoon) over 6 days, with a rest day on Day 4, then Vitmin Pro for recovery. Never mix the two medications, and always finish the full course.
What Is Coccidiosis?
Coccidiosis is an intestinal disease caused by Eimeria parasites (protozoa) that spread through contaminated droppings. It’s one of the most common diseases in chickens, especially in chicks and growing birds kept on wet, dirty bedding, and it can kill quickly if left untreated — particularly in young birds. See our guide to common gamefowl diseases for how it compares to other flock threats.
What Are the Symptoms of Coccidiosis?
Bloody or dark reddish droppings are the #1 sign of coccidiosis — if you see blood in the droppings, start treatment immediately rather than waiting to see if it clears on its own.
- Bloody or dark reddish droppings — this is the #1 sign
- Watery diarrhea
- Puffed-up feathers, huddling in corners
- Loss of appetite, sluggishness (lethargy)
- Weight loss, pale comb
Note: If you see bloody droppings, it is most likely coccidiosis. Do not wait — start treatment immediately. Unlike CRD or infectious coryza, coccidiosis does not typically cause respiratory sounds, nasal discharge, or facial swelling — those signs point to a different disease.
How Do You Treat Coccidiosis With Sulpar QR and Premoxil?
Treat coccidiosis with a 6-day alternating protocol — Sulpar QR every morning and Premoxil every afternoon — followed by a 3-day recovery phase. These amounts are given per gallon of water, not scaled to a specific bird weight — this guide doesn’t state a weight basis, so follow the product label if you’re dosing a bird noticeably lighter or heavier than a gamefowl.
| Day | Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Sulpar QR — 5g per gallon (4L) of water | Premoxil — 10g (2 sachets) per gallon of water |
| Day 2 | Sulpar QR — 5g per gallon of water | Premoxil — 10g per gallon of water |
| Day 3 | Sulpar QR — 5g per gallon of water | Premoxil — 10g per gallon of water |
| Day 4 | Plain water only (REST DAY) | Plain water only (REST DAY) |
| Day 5 | Sulpar QR — 5g per gallon of water | Premoxil — 10g per gallon of water |
| Day 6 | Sulpar QR — 5g per gallon of water | Premoxil — 10g per gallon of water |
Recovery Phase
| Day | Medication |
|---|---|
| Day 7–9 | Vitmin Pro — 10g (2 tsp) per gallon of water, daily |
How Do You Prevent Coccidiosis?
The single biggest prevention factor is dry bedding — wet, dirty flooring is the #1 cause of coccidiosis outbreaks.
- Keep bedding/sand dry — wet and dirty flooring is the #1 cause of coccidiosis
- Clean droppings daily
- Do not let water spill onto the floor
- Separate newly arrived birds (quarantine)
What Are the Golden Rules for Treating Coccidiosis?
- Never mix Sulpar QR and Premoxil in the same water. Sulpar QR in the morning, Premoxil in the afternoon — keep them separate.
- Do not mix medication with Vitmin Pro on the same day during treatment. Give Vitmin Pro only during the recovery phase (after the treatment protocol).
- Always use freshly prepared medicated water each day. Do not reuse yesterday’s mix.
- Remove all other water sources during treatment to ensure the birds drink the medicated water.
- Isolate sick birds immediately from the healthy flock — do not wait.
- Complete the entire treatment course even if the bird looks fine by Day 2. Stopping early risks creating drug-resistant parasites.
- Prevention is better than treatment. Keep the coop clean, sand dry, deworm regularly, and vaccinate properly.
Disclaimer: This guide is for reference purposes and is based on manufacturer product labels and published poultry health sources. Consult a veterinarian for severe or unusual cases. Observe the proper withdrawal period before consuming meat or eggs from treated birds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first sign of coccidiosis in chickens?
Bloody or dark reddish droppings are the #1 sign. If you see blood in the droppings, treat immediately rather than waiting to see if it clears on its own.
What causes coccidiosis?
Coccidiosis is caused by Eimeria parasites (protozoa) that spread through contaminated droppings. It is most common in chicks and growing birds kept on wet, dirty bedding.
How long is the Sulpar QR and Premoxil treatment protocol?
Six days total: Sulpar QR each morning and Premoxil each afternoon, with Day 4 as a plain-water rest day, followed by a 3-day recovery phase (Day 7-9) using Vitmin Pro.
Can Sulpar QR and Premoxil be mixed in the same water?
No. Give Sulpar QR in the morning and Premoxil in the afternoon, kept completely separate. Vitmin Pro is for the recovery phase only, not during treatment.
What happens if treatment stops early?
Stopping early even if the bird looks fine by Day 2 risks creating drug-resistant parasites. Complete the full 6-day course every time.
How do you prevent coccidiosis?
Keep bedding or sand dry — wet, dirty flooring is the #1 cause of outbreaks. Clean droppings daily, stop water from spilling onto the floor, and quarantine newly arrived birds.
Is coccidiosis the same as CRD or infectious coryza?
No. Coccidiosis is identified by bloody droppings with no respiratory signs. CRD and coryza instead cause breathing sounds, nasal discharge, or facial swelling, without bloody droppings.