I’ve been seeing a lot of posts on Facebook lately about using Corid. This medication contains amprolium, which is used to treat protozoans called coccidia, or cocci, that cause tiny hemorrhages in the intestinal lining. Cocci are present in soil everywhere. They are most dangerous when your birds are young and have not built up resistance to them. Chicks affected by cocci may have bloody stools, have a “hunched” posture with their heads pulled into their bodies, and be pale, and slow.
There are several ways to combat cocci. First, you can have your birds vaccinated at the hatchery OR you can use medicated feed. If you choose the vaccine, there is no need to use medicated feed. (NOTE: Medicated feed is ONLY medicated for cocci. Also, it does not treat cocci if your birds are sick.)
If your birds do get cocci, you need to treat them immediately with Corid (amprolium). Some things to keep in mind:
- Corid is ONLY for coccidiosis (cocci). It’s not an antibiotic. It does not treat anything other than cocci.
- Use Corid ONLY if you know your chicks have cocci. It depletes the body of thiamine and can cause serious problems if used unnecessarily.
- Do NOT supplement with vitamins if you are giving Corid. The job of Corid is to deplete thiamine (which kills the cocci). If you’re giving vitamins, you’re cancelling out the effects of Corid.
- DO follow the package instructions for administering Corid (dosage, method, and length of treatment). Improper administration can kill your birds or cause resistance in cocci.
- If Corid does not seem to work, your birds may have a secondary bacterial infection that requires antibiotics. Check with an avian vet.
Here’s hoping none of you ever have to use it! (-:
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