Coccidiosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
How to tell if your chicken has coccidiosis and a step-by-step treatment protocol using Sulpar QR and Premoxil.
What is Coccidiosis?
Coccidiosis is caused by Eimeria parasites (protozoan) that spread through contaminated droppings. It is one of the most common diseases in chickens, especially in chicks and growing birds kept in dirty environments.
If left untreated, it can kill quickly — particularly in young birds.
Symptoms
- 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.
Treatment Protocol: Sulpar QR + Premoxil (6 Days)
| 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 |
Prevention
- 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)
Golden Rules for Treatment
- 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.
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