Two dead chicks in brooder pen

[redinator]

The Corid package probably has instructions for two levels of dosing: one a "preventative" level (similar to using medicated feed), the other a higher level to treat actual outbreaks.

From looking at the label on the med feed I realized it doesn't have the amprolium in it that the Corid has. The med feed has 'bacitracin methylene disalicylate'. Should I continue to use the Corid at the preventive dose along with the med feed?

 

[NatJ]

From looking at the label on the med feed I realized it doesn't have the amprolium in it that the Corid has. The med feed has 'bacitracin methylene disalicylate'. Should I continue to use the Corid at the preventive dose along with the med feed?

Based on google search results, which included some studies of bacitracin methylene disalicylate in chicken feeds, it looks like that will NOT prevent coccidiosis.

So probably yes, you should use the Corid preventative dose.

Depending on whether you've opened it, and how much it cost compared with un-medicated feed, you might consider returning that medicated feed to the store because it won't do what you need anyway.

 

[redinator]

Based on google search results, which included some studies of bacitracin methylene disalicylate in chicken feeds, it looks like that will NOT prevent coccidiosis.

So probably yes, you should use the Corid preventative dose.

Depending on whether you've opened it, and how much it cost compared with un-medicated feed, you might consider returning that medicated feed to the store because it won't do what you need anyway.

I'll keep it and mix it with the feed for the older birds, it was getting low anyways. The older birds free range mostly and only eat from the feeder if they get locked in for one reason or another.

I'll be looking for another source for the medicated chick feed with the amprolium in it.

Plan of action:
1) get chicks back outside (tomorrow)
2) feed unmedicated chick feed until I find the right kind of medicated chick feed
3) in the meantime treat their water w Corid at the preventative dose

Am I missing anything?

 

[NatJ]

Plan of action:
1) get chicks back outside (tomorrow)
2) feed unmedicated chick feed until I find the right kind of medicated chick feed
3) in the meantime treat their water w Corid at the preventative dose

Am I missing anything?

Sounds good to me!

 

[MROO]

From looking at the label on the med feed I realized it doesn't have the amprolium in it that the Corid has. The med feed has 'bacitracin methylene disalicylate'. Should I continue to use the Corid at the preventive dose along with the med feed?

Do NOT use medicated feed with Corid! The meds in the feed counteract the thiamine blocker in Corid, rendering the treatment useless and doing nothing to help your birds. Regular feed and Corid water only ... then give them a poultry multivitamin when the treatment course is over.

 

[MROO]

I have Nutri Drench on hand, would that work?

You need a poultry multivitamin - something that replaces the Vitamin B that amprolium blocks and gives a generalized vitamin boost to get their systems back on track.

 

[redinator]

Do NOT use medicated feed with Corid! The meds in the feed counteract the thiamine blocker in Corid, rendering the treatment useless and doing nothing to help your birds. Regular feed and Corid water only ... then give them a poultry multivitamin when the treatment course is over.

I think I got that part figured out:

I still have some unmedicated chick feed, but the medicated chick feed I just bought doesn't have Amprolium, so I was trying to figure what to do while I wait for delivery of the correct medicated chick feed.

The plan is to use the preventative dose (after the initial 5 days) of Corid with unmedicated feed until it arrives.

As for the poultry vitamin, could you send a link? When I search for 'poultry multivitamin' I get a lot of options.

 

[redinator]

You need a poultry multivitamin - something that replaces the Vitamin B that amprolium blocks and gives a generalized vitamin boost to get their systems back on track.

I thought that's what Nutri Drench is . . . if not, then what is it and when do I use it?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The chicks are 3 and 4 week olds.

I completely moved the open air coop/run to a different location since I couldn't think of any other way to 'clean/sanitize' the dirt/sand.

Now that I know coccidiosis is present in my yard any future chicks will be getting medicated feed until they're at least 16 weeks old.

From looking at the label on the med feed I realized it doesn't have the amprolium in it that the Corid has. The med feed has 'bacitracin methylene disalicylate'. Should I continue to use the Corid at the preventive dose along with the med feed?

From looking at the label on the med feed I realized it doesn't have the amprolium in it that the Corid has. The med feed has 'bacitracin methylene disalicylate'. Should I continue to use the Corid at the preventive dose along with the med feed?

It's been a while since I've seen anyone using medicated feed with Bacitracin. This is generally fed to broilers, but it can be used for any type of growing chicks.

Yes, you can finish the course of treatment with the Corid at the Outbreak Dose, (2tsp liquid corid or 1 1/2tsp powdered corid per gallon of water) while feeding the medicated feed that contains Bacitracin. Bacitracin is an antibiotic used an additive to promote growth and feed efficiency (hence usually only see this type of feed for broilers). Do not give any extra vitamins that contain B1(Thiamine) while you are treating with Corid.

If one were so inclined, did a bit of research/reading, they can certainly find a lot of information about Bacitracin, and it's use in poultry feed.

It can also be used to help prevent Coccidiosis, but my understanding is the certain strains may not be as affected by Bacitracin as others. There are 9 strains of Coccidia which is a Protozoa (not a bacteria) that is found in poop and in soil. Different strains affect different sections of the intestines.
A chicken is going to have Coccidia in their system. Even brooder chicks that have never touched soil. Coccidia are only a problem when there is an overload (Coccidiosis). Medicated feed usually has a very minute amount of medication in it to help the chicks be able to build some resistance to the strains of Coccidia that are found in their environment. Exposure to is key to helping chicks build resistance, so keeping them sequestered in a sterile brooder is to no advantage.

Coccidia is going to be found in the yard, the barn, the coop, the run, in the poop, etc. you will not be able to eliminate it from soil. Chicks need exposure, so once recovered, they need to be introduced to the soil in which they will live so they can start to build resistance.



Here's a quick simple overview of Bacitracin in feed, but if you want to dive deeper there's plenty of research papers and information if you search.

 

[MROO]

I thought that's what Nutri Drench is . . . if not, then what is it and when do I use it?

I may not have a great grasp on Nutri-Drench, but the way it was presented to me was that it's a fast-acting boost for sick or stressed birds, while vitamins are aimed at building and maintaining steady levels. My guess is that either will work, but the vitamins are what were recommended to me years ago.
I'm by no means an expert. I just know what's worked for my own birds, so I stick with it until I find something better. A week of vitamins has worked consistently for my flock. I credit vitamin therapy for saving my d'Uccles when the Corid crash nearly killed them. My rooster was eating again within an hour of laying limply in my hands, so I've stuck with them. Others have had great luck with other treatments, so there isn't a gold-standard. We just weigh our options against our own and others' experience and ... if you'll pardon a pun I can't resist ... "wing it" from there!