Should i stock antibiotics?

[MountainMomma359]

With the news that supply stores will no longer sell antibiotics sometime this year, should I purchase some while I can for "just in case"? Amazon has tylan, does it cover a lot of chicken illnesses?

 

[Kiki]

No, I would not. Antibiotics expire and Tylan is not a fix all.
Practice biosecurity so you never bring home disease to begin with.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Agree 100%. I don't even bother to keep antibiotics in my own chickens' first aid kit anymore, personally. The vast majority of the time, a healthy and properly kept flock just won't need them.

 

[Sally PB]

If I have a bottle of Tylan50, how should I store it for maximum shelf life?

 

[Folly's place]

Read the label! Definitely not outside, or in sunlight. And you can call the company about possible shelf life after the expiration date.
I don't store antibiotics at home either, they will 'age out' before they are needed.
I do keep triple antibiotic ointment and Silvadene ointment in the house, works for everyone!
And doing a drug shelf cleanout is a good idea, every year or so. Old stuff is bad news...
Mary

 

[Ridgeback825]

Yes! Antibiotics can be a literal life saver when used properly. MANY studies prove that the effectiveness of antibiotics after 5 years reduces minimally, certainly not enough to make them ineffective. The best advice I can give is to take the time to learn the proper use of them and when not to use them. You can still buy "fish" antibiotics, but probably not for much longer, so we have stocked up. They are literally the same exact pills that you get from the pharmacy and are safe for people too, as unpopular as that is today.

 

[Mrs. K]

I have never used antibiotics on chickens.