Antibiotics?

[ssbs]

Someone I know raises button quail, he is wanting to buy some of my chicks.. He told me what feed to buy (I already knew), now he is saying that I need to buy antibiotics for them, my feed is non-medicated. Do they need the antiniotics? I've always heard to stay away from medication

 

[DLS]

neutrina wild game starter is not medicated. & has HIGH protien.

 

[Denninmi]

The medication in medicated feed isn't a traditional antibiotic anyway. It is an anti-coccidiostat -- coccidia are protozoans kind of like amoebas. So, feeding medicated food won't help with traditional bacterial infections like some pneumonias.

Why would you treat them unless they are sick? I'd just remind this person that using antibiotics when they aren't necessary is a great way to breed resistance in the germs. Reminds me of a lady I used to work with who ran to the doctor and insisted on antibiotics every time she caught the common cold, which is a virus.

Now, I hatched a button quail last friday that was really struggling, barely alive for a couple of days, and I have used tetracycline on it all week to ensure it doesn't get a secondary infection. It's doing much, much better now and should make it. I'll continue the tetracycline another 3 or 4 days then quit it. But that was for a specific reason.

I don't think most commercial poultry growers even use prophylactic antibiotics anymore. At least I hope they don't.

 

[ssbs]

I'm using DuMor 24% feed, they are doing great as is.. I see your point though, use antiBs if they NEED it.. Becuase as I've seen on the news and even with rabbits that I've helped raise antibiotic resistance is a huge thing that shouldn't be poked with a 6 foot pole

 

[_Randall_]

My supplier has Nutrena NatureWise Turkey & Quail Starter (Medicated) / 30% Protein. The medication as advertised on the tag is Bacitracin Methylen Disalicylate (200 grams per ton). (For preventing Ulcerative Enteritis) It's $2.50 higher per hundred than the 26% Breeder Finisher. I've started feeding it to my Bobs from start to finish. They're worth it to me.

 

[JJMR794]

Quote:
ACTUALLY DEPENDING ON YOUR LOCATION A LARGE NUMEBR OF COMMERCIAL HATCHERIES DO USE MEDICATED STARTER.... IN FACT IN MANY PARTS OF THIS COUNTRY MEDICATED STARTER IS ALL YOU CAN GET. AND IN MANY PARTS YOU CANNOT FIND OR GET MEDICATED--- ITS A VERY REGIONAL THING.


NOW AS FAR AS THE DUMOR---- FEED IT TO YOUR CHICKENS AS IT IS CHICKEN STARTER AND GO GET A GOOD GAMEBIRD STARTER WHICH WILL HAVE THE APPROPRIATE PROTIEN AND NUTRITIONAL CONTENT FOR QUAIL.

MEDICATED VS NON MEDICATED IS AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN A PERSONAL PREFERENCE. UNLESS DICTATED BY REGIONAL AVAILABILITY.

 

[darkfur]

My understanding with coccidiostats is they are added to starter feeds at a subtherapeutic level so that chicks will get an infection of coccidiosis but be able to fight it off with the help of the coccidiostat. The thinking behind this is that it is a safe way to help the birds develop a natural life-long immunity without getting a severe infection of coxy. I use a feed with coccidiostat in it for the first 4 weeks of my coturnix's life, mainly because I can no longer get a non-medicated feed. I take them off this feed at 4 weeks to give a withdrawal period before they begin to lay as I do not particularly fancy coccidiostat in my eggs.

 

[ssbs]

Quote:
My feed is for gamebirds

"""This high protein DuMOR

Chick Starter 24% Feed is a complete crumble formula for starting turkey and gamebird chicks such as quail, pheasant and chukar"""

Here is TSC's link to it http://www.tractorsupply.com/livestock/poultry-feed/dumor-reg-chick-starter-24-feed-50-lb--5078197

I have given the babies a few meal worms that I've raised (3rd generation), they went crazy over them.. And one even leaped into the air to catch a moth

 

[JJMR794]

Sorry To Tell You Dumor Is Not Gamebird Starter. They May State It Is Suitable For Pheasants Quail And Whatnot It Is Chicken Starter And The End Results When Compared To A Real Gamebird Starter Are Readily Apparent If Done Side By Side In Comparison. Dumor Has 4.5% Fiber And No Meat Or Bone Meal---- Too Much Fiber And No Source Of Complete B Vitamins. This Means Your Quail Will Be B12 Deficient Which Will Decrease Their Growth And Immune Systems, Contributes Greatly To Skeletal Maladies Such As Bumble Foot Or Soft Bones, The Extra Fiber Dehydrates By Causing Diarrhea And In Many Cases Pasty Butt( Often Times This Can Cause A High Brooder Loss Percentage Post Hatch And People Never Know). Theres Way More To Just Gamebird Formula Than Just Protien %, Tho It Is A Very Important Part, Especially To Coturnix With Their Exponential Growth Rate. Look At It This Way, Soybean Meal Is Usually Rated Between 49-50% Protien, If That I Mix That 1/2 And 1/2 With Play Sand I'll Get A Formula Thats Roughly 25% Protien,,,, Is It Complete? --- Uh Huh, Dont Think So. Dumor's Approach Like Many Is "we'll Say It Can Be Given To.... " And They're Right, It Can, So Can Crushed Glass, Ground Up Platypus Pellets, And Even Baby Tarantulas.... Doesnt Make It Gamebird Formula And If You Look Really Close Its Marketed As Chick Starter, Not Gamebird Starter. If You Want Very Good Results Do Yourself And Your Stock A Favor..... Get A Good Quality Gamebird Starter Formula--- Beleive Me If You Do A Side By Side You Will See A Very Noticeable Difference

Also (may Not Make A Big Difference With Coturnix.... Major Difference With Other Speces Like Bobs Or Any Partridge/ Pheasant) I Know They Do Absolutely Love Mealies, But If Given At Early Ages Can Encourage Agression Related Injuries---seems Jr Has A Lil Difficulty Telling A Mealie From His Buddie's Toe! Wont Hurt Them Food Wise, But As Stated With Many Speces This Sets A Whole Ugly Agressive Behavior Wheel To Spinning In High Gear! I Do Give My Guys Meal Worms, Just Not Until Mature. Havent Found A Bird Yet That Does'nt Like Them.

 

[TomNY]

Quote:
Amprolium is the anticoccidial used in most feeds. It is not absorbed but kills coccidia in the intestinal tract. It cannot end up in the meat or eggs so there is no withdrawal time. Tom