antibiotics and treats

[kimbymarie]

Hello, I'm new at raising chickens. I bought 12 baby chicks from Tractor Supply. They recommended putting antibiotic powder in there water for two weeks. I'm just not sure that I feel comfortable with this. I had them for 1 week, did not add any to the water, then got nervous that maybe I should have so started using it for 3 days, then stopped. Just feel so uneasy about adding it. I'm not feeding them a medicated feed. They are on a chick stater food. Also I tried giving them a mashed hard boiled egg treat yesterday. They went absolutely crazy over it. They just loved it. Could I give them a little of that each day? I love my chicks and I want them to be healthy and do all the right things for them. I thank you ahead for any advise you can offer. Kim

 

[Ridgerunner]

You might read Speckledhen's comments on this thread. I agree with her. I think you are wise being uneasy about it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=487806

If you only give them what they can finish in 10 to 20 minutes, the boiled egg is great. Just make sure they have grit if you give them other treats. They should not need grit with boiled eggs, but they will with most other things.

 

[GiddyMoon]

Do not give them the antibiotics..I don't know why anyone would think this was ok and it bothers me these feed places suggest this. Antibiotics rip the body of all good bacteria too...give them good stuff, just like with our own kids and save th4e antibiotics for dire bacterial emergencies. Yes, from what I have seen, the egg is good for them.

 

[kimbymarie]

Thank you for the advise. I won't be adding antibiotic anymore to their water. I just gave them more boiled egg mashed. Oh, they just love it. They can't eat it up fast enough.