05/29/2025
I have more thoughts on Polish & Coccidia. This is going to be a LONG one... I've learned over the years how to successfully handle coccidia in polish chicks. I also had help understanding how it works. Once a breeder with over 20 years of breeding experience with this breed told me " Use Toltrazuril & throw Corid in the trash!" You see, corid blocks the Vit B/Thiamine from the chick. This is how it works. It starves the cocci by depleting needed vitamins in the body. Both medicated feed & corid are amprolium, so they work the same way. Chicks can & do get coccidiosis on medicated feed, because it's a "preventative" dose added to the feed. This might be fine to use as long as they are not polish chicks. Polish have Vit B absorption issues by the breed makeup. I suspect the reason the Polish breed fell in numbers in past years (on the "Watch" list for the Livestock Conservatory now) was because of this flaw in their genetics: Vitamin absorption issues. And then, people have made it worse by treating coccidia with corid & the preventative medicated feed. I truly believe we've killed baby chicks in large numbers to put them on the Watch List. They are coming back, but they almost went to "Endangered." So, back to coccidia. I use Endocox (Toltrazuril) to kill coccidiosis. I also use it as a preventative. I use regular chick starter. If I see them, in the brooder, or outside in the dirt slumped over, I immediately treat with Endocox for 3 days. Most times they are fine till they go out on dirt, but I have had it happen in the brooder before. I usually treat automatically for 3 days the week after they go outside, which is 5 weeks old in an enclosed pen under heat sources. This is the preventative I use. I watch for it after that, most times they only get it once. If they are running & active, they are good.👍 Between this 5 week stage & 10 week stage, mine will develop their own immunity to the protozoa. As another farm said in her video (Mojo Homestead FL Official) Love her informative videos.. Check her out! She said the cocci is always present in birds & you will see it if you take a f***l in on an adult bird. Adult birds have developed the resistance (immunity) to keep it at bay. You want to give the youngins every opportunity to develop that same immunity. Feeding continual medicated feed stunts that immunity being developed. And remember, medicated is NEVER alright for Polish. Ok, these are my thoughts & experiences with treating for coccidiosis. I hope it helps you with your polish. I've lost many chicks to learn this information. I hope to spare you the grief so you'll have beautiful babies grow up to be beautiful healthy adults! 💖
