Fowl Typhoid and Pullorum: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
TL;DR: Fowl typhoid (Salmonella gallinarum, adults) and pullorum (Salmonella pullorum, chicks) both cause white or chalky diarrhea, the telltale sign. Treat with alternating Sulpar QR (morning) and Premoxil (afternoon) over 6 days, resting on Day 4, then Vitmin Pro for recovery. Carriers can look healthy, so isolate new stock before it joins the flock.
What Are Fowl Typhoid and Pullorum?
These are two different diseases, both caused by Salmonella bacteria:
- Fowl Typhoid — caused by Salmonella gallinarum, more common in adult birds
- Pullorum — caused by Salmonella pullorum, more common in chicks
Both are dangerous and can be fatal, especially in young birds. See our guide to common gamefowl diseases for how they compare to other flock threats.
What Are the Symptoms of Fowl Typhoid and Pullorum?
White or chalky diarrhea is the most telltale sign of both diseases, especially in young birds.
- White or chalky diarrhea — especially in young birds, this is the most telltale sign
- Pasting of vent — droppings stuck around the vent area
- Huddling near heat sources
- Loss of appetite, weakness
- Sudden death in chicks
- Decreased egg production in adults
How to tell typhoid/pullorum from cholera: Both can cause sudden death, which is why they get confused in practice. The droppings color is the tell — typhoid and pullorum produce white or chalky droppings, while fowl cholera instead produces greenish-yellow diarrhea. In chicks, white paste stuck to the vent alongside sudden deaths points to pullorum, not cholera.
How Do You Treat Fowl Typhoid and Pullorum With Sulpar QR and Premoxil?
Treat 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 1–3 | 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 5–6 | Sulpar QR — 5g per gallon of water | Premoxil — 10g per gallon of water |
Sulpar QR is effective against fowl typhoid (Salmonella gallinarum). Premoxil is effective against pullorum and other bacterial infections sensitive to Amoxicillin and Tylosin.
Recovery Phase
| Day | Medication |
|---|---|
| Day 7–9 | Vitmin Pro — 10g per gallon of water, daily |
How Do You Prevent Fowl Typhoid and Pullorum?
Buying chicks only from clean, reputable breeders is the single biggest prevention factor — carriers can appear perfectly healthy while still spreading the disease.
- Buy chicks only from clean and reputable breeders — do not buy from just anywhere
- Keep the coop dry and clean
- Carriers can appear healthy — always isolate new stock before introducing them to the flock
- Disinfect waterers and feeders regularly
What Are the Golden Rules for Treating Fowl Typhoid and Pullorum?
- 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 bacteria.
- 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 difference between fowl typhoid and pullorum?
Both are caused by Salmonella bacteria. Fowl typhoid comes from Salmonella gallinarum and is more common in adult birds, while pullorum comes from Salmonella pullorum and is more common in chicks.
What is the telltale sign of fowl typhoid or pullorum?
White or chalky diarrhea is the most telltale sign, especially in young birds, often with pasting of droppings stuck around the vent.
How long is the Sulpar QR and Premoxil treatment protocol?
Six days total: Sulpar QR each morning and Premoxil each afternoon for Days 1-3, a plain-water rest day on Day 4, then Sulpar QR and Premoxil again on Days 5-6, 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.
Is fowl typhoid/pullorum the same as fowl cholera?
No. Typhoid and pullorum produce white or chalky droppings, while fowl cholera produces greenish-yellow diarrhea instead. Both can cause sudden death, especially in chicks, so droppings color is the tell.
How do you prevent fowl typhoid and pullorum?
Buy chicks only from clean, reputable breeders, keep the coop dry and clean, and isolate new stock before introducing them to the flock — carriers can appear perfectly healthy.
What happens if treatment stops early?
Stopping early even if the bird looks fine by Day 2 risks creating drug-resistant bacteria. Complete the full 6-day course every time.