Nothing strikes fear into a chicken keeper’s heart quite like spotting bloody droppings in the coop. Your mind immediately races to one word: coccidiosis. But before you panic, take a deep breath. While cocci (as we chicken folks call it) is serious business, it’s also very treatable when you catch it early and use the right medication at the proper dose.
Corid is your go-to weapon against coccidiosis, and honestly, every chicken keeper should have a bottle on hand. But here’s the thing – getting the dosage right is crucial. Too little and you’re wasting time while your birds suffer. Too much and you might cause other problems. Let me walk you through everything you need to know about using Corid safely and effectively.
You know what’s great about Corid? NO EGG WITHDRAWAL PERIOD Amprolium is approved for use in laying hens by the FDA, which means there is no egg withdrawal period. That’s right – you can keep eating those eggs even while treating your hens. Pretty convenient, right?
Understanding What You’re Dealing With
Before we get into dosages, let’s talk about what Corid actually is and how it works. The most common drug used in treating poultry in the back yard setting is Amprolium, also known as Corid. It can be mixed in the water and is used for 3-5 days for effective treatment. It works by mimicking an important amino acid called thiamine that the coccidia need to survive.
Think of it like this – the coccidia parasites are trying to steal thiamine (vitamin B1) from your chickens. Corid tricks them into taking fake thiamine instead, and without the real stuff, they basically starve to death. Meanwhile, your chickens are getting the nutrition they need to fight off the infection and recover.
What makes this medication so brilliant is its safety profile. Amprolium is very safe, up to 8 times the recommended dose has been given without significant affects. That doesn’t mean you should be careless with dosing, but it does mean you don’t need to be terrified of accidentally giving a little too much.
The Two Forms: Liquid vs. Powder
Corid comes in two main forms, and this is where a lot of people get confused. You’ve got the 9.6% liquid solution and the 20% soluble powder. Both work exactly the same way, but the dosing is different because the concentrations are different.
For the liquid 9.6% solution, To treat a severe outbreak of coccidiosis in your poultry mix 2 teaspoons per 1 gallon of water and offer as sole source of drinking water for 5 days. For a moderate outbreak, mix 1 teaspoon per 1 gallon of water and offer as their sole source of drinking water for 5 days.
For the powder form, The dosage for Corid 20% Soluble Powder is 1/2 teaspoon per gallon of water. Offer as the only source of drinking water for 5 days. Wait, that seems like way less than the liquid, right? That’s because the powder is more concentrated.
Here’s the math that’ll make it all clear: 1/2 teaspoon of 20% powder = 2.8125ml of 9.6% liquid – Both have 270mg of amprolium. 3/4 teaspoon of 20% powder = 4.21875ml of 9.6% liquid – Both have 405mg of amprolium. 1 teaspoon of 20% powder = 5.625ml of 9.6% liquid – Both have 540mg of amprolium.
The Standard Treatment Protocol
Most experienced chicken keepers follow what’s become the gold standard treatment protocol. When treating coccidisosis in my own birds I use the severe outbreak dose (0.024%) for 5 days, then the 0.006% amount for 7-14 days. Liquid dose: 2 teaspoons per gallon for five days, then 1/2 teaspoon for 7-14 days.
Let me break this down into simple terms:
Phase 1 – Treatment (Days 1-5):
• Liquid 9.6%: 2 teaspoons per gallon
• Powder 20%: 3/4 to 1 teaspoon per gallon
Phase 2 – Prevention (Days 6-19):
• Liquid 9.6%: 1/2 teaspoon per gallon
• Powder 20%: 1/4 teaspoon per gallon
Why the two-phase approach? Give the preventative dose for 1-2 weeks after a 5-day treatment.For example, give two teaspoons per gallon of Corid 9.6% for the first five days and then half a teaspoon per gallon for the next 7 to 14 days. Treatments are sometimes repeated after five days (the prepatent period of the parasite).
Age and Size: Does It Matter?
Here’s a question I get all the time: “Do I need to adjust the dose for chicks versus adult birds?” The beautiful thing about water medication is that it’s self-regulating. Same dose. Bigger birds drink more so they intake more corid that way
Think about it – a tiny chick drinks maybe a tablespoon of water per day, while a big rooster might drink a cup or more. When you medicate the water, each bird automatically gets the right amount based on how much they drink. Pretty clever system, right?
This is especially helpful when you’ve got a mixed-age flock. You don’t need to separate birds or calculate individual doses – just mix up the medicated water and let them drink what they need.
Mixing and Storage: Getting It Right
Here’s something crucial that a lot of people mess up – this needs to be mixed up fresh each day. Corid doesn’t stay stable in water for long periods, so you can’t mix up a big batch and use it all week.
Mix only what your birds will drink in 24 hours. If you’re not sure how much that is, start with less rather than more. You can always mix up another batch, but you can’t get back the medication you’ve wasted.
Store your unmixed Corid in a cool, dry place. The liquid should be kept at room temperature, and the powder should stay sealed and moisture-free. Both have pretty long shelf lives when stored properly, so it’s worth keeping some on hand even if you don’t need it right now.
Signs You’re Using It Right (And Wrong)
When you’re treating coccidiosis correctly, you should start seeing improvement within 48-72 hours. The bloody droppings should decrease, and your birds should start acting more like themselves. They might not be 100% back to normal immediately, but they shouldn’t be getting worse.
If things aren’t improving after 3-4 days of treatment, don’t just increase the dose on your own. You might be dealing with something other than cocci, or you might have a resistant strain that needs a different approach.
Watch out for signs of overdose, though they’re rare. Birds might seem lethargic or go off their feed if they’re getting too much medication. Since Corid works by interfering with thiamine, severe overdoses could theoretically cause thiamine deficiency symptoms.
The Oral Drench Method
Sometimes you’ve got a bird that’s too sick to drink enough medicated water, or maybe you want to treat just one or two birds instead of the whole flock. That’s where oral drenching comes in.
0.07 ml per 100 grams of body weight orally once or twice a day for 1-3 days. The directions above are the same when using any 9.6% liquid or 20% powder. Such products include Amprol, AmproMed, Amprolium 200, Amprid, CocciAid, etc.
This method requires you to calculate your bird’s weight and give medication directly into their beak. It’s more precise but also more stressful for both you and the chicken. Most people stick with water medication unless they absolutely need the individual dosing approach.
What About Other Brands?
Corid isn’t the only amprolium product out there. You’ll see names like Amprol, AmproMed, and others. The good news is that they all work the same way and use the same dosing guidelines – just pay attention to whether you’re getting the 9.6% liquid or 20% powder concentration.
Some feed stores carry generic versions that are significantly cheaper than name-brand Corid. As long as the active ingredient is amprolium at the right concentration, they work just as well. Check the label to make sure you’re getting what you think you’re getting.
Prevention vs. Treatment: When to Use Each
Corid can be used both to treat active coccidiosis and to prevent it during high-risk times. Treatment doses are higher and used for shorter periods. Prevention doses are lower and can be used for longer periods.
You might use prevention doses when:
• Moving birds to new housing
• During periods of stress (weather changes, predator attacks, etc.)
• When introducing new birds to your flock
• After recovering from a cocci outbreak
Remember, though – overuse of any medication can lead to resistance. Don’t use Corid as a long-term supplement or “just in case” medication. Use it when you need it, at the right dose, for the right duration.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve seen people make the same mistakes over and over again with Corid dosing. Here are the big ones to watch out for:
Using the wrong concentration calculation: Make sure you know whether you have liquid or powder, and what concentration it is. The math matters!
Not providing it as the sole water source: If birds have access to untreated water, they might not drink enough of the medicated water to get better.
Stopping treatment too early: Five days might seem like a long time when you’re worried about your birds, but cocci has a complex life cycle. You need the full treatment period to catch all stages of the parasite.
Mixing too much at once: Fresh daily mixing isn’t just a suggestion – it’s necessary for the medication to work properly.
The Recovery Phase: What Comes Next
Once you’ve finished the treatment protocol, your birds will need some time to fully recover. Their digestive systems have been through a lot, and it might take a few weeks for everything to get back to normal.
Consider giving probiotics after treatment to help restore healthy gut bacteria. Some people also supplement with vitamins, especially thiamine, since Corid interferes with thiamine metabolism during treatment.
Keep an eye on your flock for several weeks after treatment. Cocci can recur, especially in young birds or during stressful periods. The good news is that birds who recover from coccidiosis typically develop some immunity to future infections.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I should use the moderate or severe outbreak dose?
Severe outbreaks typically involve multiple birds showing symptoms, bloody droppings, lethargy, and rapid onset. Moderate outbreaks might have fewer affected birds or less severe symptoms. When in doubt, many experienced keepers use the severe outbreak dose since Corid has such a wide safety margin.
Can I eat eggs from chickens being treated with Corid?
Yes! Corid (amprolium) is FDA-approved for use in laying hens with no egg withdrawal period. You can continue eating eggs throughout treatment, though some people choose to discard them during the active treatment phase for personal preference.
What if my chickens won’t drink the medicated water?
Corid doesn’t have much taste, but some picky birds might notice the difference. Try using slightly warm water, adding a tiny bit of apple cider vinegar for taste, or withholding water for a few hours (not more than 4-6 hours) so they’re thirsty enough to drink it.
How long does mixed Corid solution stay good?
Mix fresh Corid solution daily. The medication doesn’t remain stable in water for extended periods, and you want to ensure your birds are getting the full therapeutic dose throughout treatment.
Can I use Corid on other poultry besides chickens?
Corid is labeled for use in chickens, turkeys, and cattle. Many people successfully use it for ducks and other poultry, but always check with a veterinarian if you’re treating non-chicken birds, as dosing and safety may vary.
What if I accidentally give too much Corid?
Corid has a very wide safety margin – up to 8 times the recommended dose has been given without significant problems. However, if you’ve massively overdosed, watch for signs of thiamine deficiency and consider supplementing with vitamin B1.
Should I treat the whole flock even if only one bird shows symptoms?
Yes, typically you should treat the entire flock. Coccidiosis spreads through contaminated droppings, and birds can be infected before they show symptoms. Plus, medicating the water treats everyone at once without the stress of individual handling.
How do I prevent coccidiosis from coming back?
Keep coops clean and dry, avoid overcrowding, provide good ventilation, and minimize stress. Some people do preventive Corid treatments during high-risk periods, but building natural immunity through gradual exposure is generally preferred for older birds.
When should I call a veterinarian instead of treating with Corid?
Call a vet if birds aren’t improving after 3-4 days of proper Corid treatment, if you’re seeing massive mortality, or if you’re not confident in your diagnosis. Some conditions mimic coccidiosis but require different treatments.
The bottom line on Corid dosing? It’s actually pretty straightforward once you understand the basics. Whether you’re using the 9.6% liquid (2 teaspoons per gallon for treatment) or the 20% powder (3/4 to 1 teaspoon per gallon for treatment), the key is consistency, proper mixing, and completing the full treatment protocol. Keep some on hand, know your dosages, and don’t panic if you spot the signs of cocci in your flock. With prompt, proper treatment, most birds recover completely and go on to live normal, healthy lives. Just remember – when in doubt, fresh daily mixing, full treatment courses, and keeping detailed records of what you’re doing will serve you well. Your chickens are counting on you to get it right, and now you’ve got all the information you need to do exactly that.