Do I give my chics only antibiotics in water for 5 days or give water aswell?

[casportpony]

I am not an expert on oxytetracycline, but in chickens the dosage in the water is supposed to be 400 to 800 mg of drug to each gallon of water for 7 days. 1000mg equals 1 gram, so that seems like too much. Since the oxytet is for smaller birds, I think it may be too concentrated. I will wait for @casportpony to respond to this.

I'm still looking at the numbers, but I think this powder is a much less concentrated version of what we have here in the US.

 

[Bex_01]

Thankyou all for your help. It is the Oxy B I have got. I will use is as the sole water source for them for the 5 days. I hope they get better soon, while they havn't got any worse they don't seem much better yet. Fingers crossed.

 

[rebrascora]

Don't be too surprised if they don't get better straight away. If the respiratory issue is viral rather than bacterial, it will go once it has run it's course and the antibiotic will not affect that. Just like giving someone with a common cold antibiotics will not make them better either. Are you using anything else to ease their symptoms like Vet Rx or Vicks Vapour Rub?

 

[Bex_01]

I'm not sure what vet Rx is. I can get vapour rub though. How would I do that?? I had to put my frizzle down 3 weeks ago because she got very sick very quick. I would love to keep the ones I have left and get them healthy if I can. I will try anything.

 

[rebrascora]

I smear it on the wattles and comb or the throat under the beak and under the wings. Vet Rx is a product developed in the USA specifically for poultry but is I believe similar to Vicks VR in that it helps to open the airways. Vet Rx can also be added to the water as well as used topically though. I'm in the UK and whilst Vet Rx can be ordered off Amazon, shipping makes it rather expensive so I just use Vicks.
If the birds don't respond to antibiotics and it isn't viral, then it may be fungal. Aspergillosis is a fungal infection of the airways that can affect humans as well as poultry.
A compromised immune system can leave birds vulnerable to these issues, so a good quality poultry vitamin supplement like Nutri Drench, Poultry Cell or Rooster Booster or here in the UK, Nettex Nutri Drops may be beneficial and a probiotic or fermented feed once the antibiotic treatment has finished.

 

[Bex_01]

I just read something on here from 2010 saying Vicks shouldn't be used on chickens. If you do it and it hasn't caused you any problems I think I will give it a go though. Thankyou for all your help. Getting these Chics has been a very interesting and at times a very trying experience. I am hoping they all get better and will turn into lovely big Hens that lay me lots of lovely eggs. I cannot imagine my life without them now.

 

[rebrascora]

Yes I have used Vicks for respiratory problems in hens and also scaly leg mite with considerable success but you must make your own decision. I am not aware of any negative issues with it. Can you link the post you found from 2010? I am not saying it will cure your birds and they could still die, despite your best efforts, but I do not think the Vicks will have a negative effect and I have found it helped give some relief from symptoms. I think it is important to look at other environmental factors though, like possible ammonia build up, ventilation, dusty environment etc.

 

[Eggcessive]

VetRx is a mixture of camphor and herbal oils—oregano, rosemary, balsam, and contains alcohol and corn oil. It is interesting that camphor, lauded as an organic remedy for many things, today is obtained from turpentine. It can be toxic in large amounts if taken internally, and is basically a folk remedy. Some mothballs today contain camphor.

Vicks has camphor from turpentine oil, eucalyptus oil, menthol, and other ingredients.

 

[Prescottchick]

Is 5 days standard for a course of oxytetracycline?

 

[Eggcessive]

Oral oxytetracycline can be given for 7-14 days, though seven is the usual.