it is as old as time
that is why I tell folks to ask and read tags on what is in medicated starter
some companies put antibiotics in the medicated start so as to supposedly do away with respiratory disease
this is very awful as that is why we have so many chickens that have grown allergic and resistant to antibiotics
Here are some thought on this subject from a friend of mine
thoughts on medication and birds
Kim J Theodore
Hi Glenda - if you are asking me for my opinion on
antibiotic use and resistance, I can give you some of
my thoughts.
As with anything else, too much of a good thing can
turn bad. My practice is to only use antibiotics on
valuable birds (value is relative) or if I feel that
reducing the 'pool' of available infective agent is
more important than the risk of building resistance.
Some things build resistance and others don't (it's
the pathogen that builds resistance, not the bird).
Some antibiotics are more likely to encourage
resistance building than others. Some antibiotics have
a history of causing liver and kidney damage and some
are relatively benign when it comes to safety. So it
really comes down to common sense and properly
prescribing the right antibiotic for the task. One of
the most important things someone can do if they
choose to use antibiotics, is to make sure they get
the proper dosage (based on body weight) and to finish
the entire duration of the time the treatment is
prescribed for. This helps prevent resistance building
in a big way.
Most birds are capable of building 'age' resistance to
many diseases, but not all diseases. It seems that the
most valuable show birds are the least likely to build
this resistance. I feel a personal responsibility to
help a bird along if it falls ill and it has been
finely bred at my own hand. However, I do not sit in
judgment of those breeders who 'breed for resistance'.
It is a personal choice.
Certain 'supplemental' care products such as the use
of Oxine fog is beneficial for those worried about
resistance building since the chemistry of Oxine does
not allow a pathogen to build resistance to it. But it
does not take the place of a properly prescribed
antibiotic for a treatable systemic bacterial
infection.
Tetracyclines have been highly overused and as a
result, many bacterium are now resistant to them.
However, tetracycline and chlortetracycline are still
very effective for certain ailments and is very
inexpensive for the fancier on a tight budget.
As far as residual antibiotic traces go in our grocery
store food, there are strict guidelines now on
withdrawal periods for meat or eggs that come from
treated birds. Testing is done at the point of market
to insure compliance. This is no longer the problem it
once was.
You may use this if you'd like.
Best Regards,
KJ Theodore
any questions email me
