Antibiotics in water?

[shahtir101]

Do I need to give my chicks the medicated stuff that you put in there water? I did it with the chicks I got from the feed store last year, but do I need to do it with the chicks I hatched myself?

 

[donrae]

IMO, no one, human or animal, needs antibiotics unless they're actually sick.

 

[tsmith91]

I agree I wouldn't give them any if they are healthy

 

[Cacique500]

If you're talking about Corid for Coccidiosis then I'd say yes (or feed them the medicated chick starter). If you're really talking about an antibiotic then I'd say no - never use an antibiotic unless it's NEEDED.

 

[Toddrick]

I think the proper answer is "No". You do not need to medicate your chickens in any way, unless they appear ill. Some prefer to use medicated started feed (a mini dose of Corid, which is not an antibiotic) to prevent chicks from getting coccidiosis, but I don't think it is a necessity. But definitely keep some Corid on-hand in case they get coccidiosis, in which case you can add it to the water.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don’t medicate any of my chicks, whether I buy them or hatch them, unless I see a specific need. I don’t medicate my adult chickens either unless I see a specific need. That means if I don’t see parasites or disease I don’t medicate them. I don’t raise mine in a sterile environment or use drugs. I prefer my first line of defense to be a strong immune system.

Like others, I don’t know what “medicated stuff that you put in their water” means. If you could be more specific we might be able to give more pointed advice. We may be totally guessing wrong about what you are talking about.

 

[shahtir101]

Ridgerunner I totally agree with you about the first line of defense being a strong immune system. So sorry about the confusion I was talking about corid and didn't remember the name. Thanks for the help!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Corid is not an antibiotic. Its active ingredient is Amprolium, the same medication in practically all medicated chicken feed. The dosage in medicated chicken feed is meant as a preventative for coccidiosis, the dosage in Corid is meant as a treatment for a coccidiosis outbreak. It is only meant for coccidiosis, nothing else.

Amprolium interferes with the reproduction of the protozoa that causes coccidiosis. In Corid it totally stops it. In medicated feed it does not totally stop it from reproducing but it greatly inhibits it. The problem with coccidiosis is not that the bug is present. In small numbers the chicken will develop an immunity to it over a two to three week period. The problem is when the numbers get out of hand. Then coccidiosis can be fatal.

Even if you feed medicated feed the chicks can still have an outbreak of coccidiosis. That bug thrives in wet warm soil or water that has chicken poop in it. It’s possible enough of the bugs will thrive in wet conditions that the numbers can get out of hand even if you feed medicated feed.

You do not want to give them the recommended dosage of Corid when they are not sick. It can interfere with them developing the immunity they need. But if you have an outbreak you need to treat it immediately.