- Apr 19, 2009
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There have been some chick feeds that have been made to include a low-dose antibiotic treatment for general prevention and growth purposes but they're not common. Most contain only a coccidiostat for the prevention of cocci and that is what you're likely to find in stores here. And I will put emphasis on that they contain ONLY a coccidiostat. They will not prevent flu, viruses, mareks, etc. The medication is ONLY effective for the prevention of cocci. So, basically, you have to weigh your personal feelings about the risk of the disease against the use of the medication and decide which route is best for your birds. Personally, cocci is a small threat that does not outweigh my desire to not use medications in my flock. We go without and have never had a problem. That said, whatever you decide make sure you do it because you've weighed your options and educated yourself. Look up cocci, understand what it is, weigh how much of a risk you believe it to be to your flock and go from there.
Whatever you do, don't just listen to what people tell you. Verify their statements. Mine included! And honestly, I strongly encourage everyone to do this. We live today with an amazing amount of information at our fingertips. Anything you want to know is right there. Take advantage of that. And as a general rule of thumb believe nothing you're told in a feed store. Ever.
No, seriously though. Don't! With the exception of the owners (who still very often know little to nothing about feeding livestock) front desk/feed store counter positions are minimum wage jobs that require more customer service experience and ability than actual feed and medical know-how. These people mean well, but most have just as many preconceived notions about this that and the other thing that have been passed down to them from their grandpa, the old timer in line in front of you, the lady 'round the corner who had a flock of chickens once, etc. Some know their stuff, but not most and even those that know a thing or two about say, horses, may not know anything about sheep or cattle. Most of what they know is likely a result of their own interests and hobbies. Verify everything.
Just to use what Keyt was told as an example, prolonged use of coccidiostats has been shown to result in resistance in relatively short order and, if I'm not mistaken, there are more accepted treatment protocols for meat birds that contract cocci than there are for layers with the same. Considering those two things alone, shoot the first of those alone, tells us that someone raising a large number of chicks for meat on a continual basis is, if anything, one of the worst candidates for controlling cocci with in-feed meds. Educate yourself, people! Think critically. In this day and age there is no excuse not to.
Whatever you do, don't just listen to what people tell you. Verify their statements. Mine included! And honestly, I strongly encourage everyone to do this. We live today with an amazing amount of information at our fingertips. Anything you want to know is right there. Take advantage of that. And as a general rule of thumb believe nothing you're told in a feed store. Ever.
Just to use what Keyt was told as an example, prolonged use of coccidiostats has been shown to result in resistance in relatively short order and, if I'm not mistaken, there are more accepted treatment protocols for meat birds that contract cocci than there are for layers with the same. Considering those two things alone, shoot the first of those alone, tells us that someone raising a large number of chicks for meat on a continual basis is, if anything, one of the worst candidates for controlling cocci with in-feed meds. Educate yourself, people! Think critically. In this day and age there is no excuse not to.
good luck!
