Tetracycline

I need to dose my hens with Tetracycline, but the bag says "Not to be used in Laying Birds or Lactating Cows"

For those of you who have used Tetracycline, is this because of withdrawel times? If I put it in their water will it hurt them? I'd be throwing out my eggs probably for 2 weeks. We've got a good store up so we should be fine in that time period.

Thoughts?

I wonder this to.I used Duramycin-10 yesterday and didn't relize there was a withdrawl period.I have never used antibiotics ever since raising chickens 7 years now.I had alot of things coming and going from our farm and our roo has a puffy eye and I want to stay on top of it and not lose him.He doesn't act sick but don't want to get to that point.Now my fault I should have read the entire package where it said not to give to layers

I used the tetracycline (Duramycin) on my flock with no success. I have lost 3 chickens in the last 2 weeks. They've had some sort of respiratory infection. I spoke with an elderly gentlemen at my neighboring county's feed store. He said that the Tetracycline was the lowest strength antibiotic that you could get. He said that if the flock (or a single chicken) was already sick that this antibiotic would probably not help. He suggested Agrimycin-343. I have been using it for 2 days now and so far it seems to be working. He also said that there was even higher strength anitbiotic that was a type of sulfar drug if the Agrimycin-343 didn't work. He did say "DO NOT EAT THE EGGS FOR AT LEAST 3 WEEKS". Bummer!!!!!

I have also started using "Vet-RX Poultry Remedy". This treatment is all natural and can be used full strength or dilluted with warm water. This stuff is an oily substance that has several great uses. I have posted a link below so you can read more about treatments and dosing. I have been grasping at straws for the past couple of weeks trying to get my babies better. I have been at the point that I would try anything.

http://www.drugs.com/vet/vetrx-poultry-remedy.html

May we all make it thru this cold, winter season with healthy families and healthy chickens!!

Amy

SilkieBaby, the tetracycline is the only thing I can buy in stores. I would have to use my creditcard to buy Vet RX and it would take a couple weeks to get here. I may go ahead and try the tetracycline since it is rated to be used for respitory infections in chickens. I'm not even sure they have anything, I just want to be safe. I'd rather throw my eggs away for 3 or 4 weeks than not treat and have bigger issues in the future.

My only concern was that the reason for not being used in laying birds may be because it affects the thickness of the shell thus resulting in more cases of egg bound or internal laying issues in laying hens.

We have a bantum roo with a respritory infection (according to the vet) and she sent us to the feed store for Agrimycin-343. We cannot tell yet if it is helping. Today is the 3rd day of medication. This product was difficult to measure & mix in small quantities. Not to mention, it is VERY difficult to force anything down his throat. Vet also recommended isolating him & feeding him as much as we can. So, he is getting baby peas, yogurt & fresh corn off the cob but he isn't eating as much as he should. He cannot jump & has a pittiful crow. He shuffles when he walks like he is an old roo. The vet gave him a 50-50 chance. The vet also said he probably contracted the illness from wild birds or other wild animals on the property, so we have added this product to the laying hens water. So far, we haven't found information on the meds that indicate how long to throw away the eggs. Can we cook the eggs & refeed them to the hens?

Chick - a -dee, did you chickens get better? I am in Peterborough as well and may have just wasted too much time thinking it was worms (gap worm) instead of bacterial. I was hoping they would fight it off but now my silkie is just getting bubbles in the eye, mucus discharge from his mouth, and shaking his head... poor guy. And while many are sneezing another chicken has bubbles coming out of her nose. I don't want to loose them so they have tetracycline in their drinking water now. Lets hope for the best!!

Usually dairy should not be eaten with antibiotics. You might want to check that out.

Tetracycline did nothing but a wonderful local chicken keeper shared her Tylan 50 with me. It turned out to be mycoplasma and Tylan works great. He has been feeling muchbetterbut his swollen sinus started to flare up again when I changed to Tylan treatment through their water. Still hoping for the best. Having sick chickens isn't fun.