Should I treat my new birds?

[nwfchickenman]

Hi,

I just brought home some chickens from a local auction livestock auction. They are my only chickens, not adding to a existing flock.

One of the more knowledgeable people at the auction said that because they were exposed to so many birds at the auction, several hundred, I should probably treat them with a mycin type antibiotic and some vitamins and electrolytes for seven days as a preventative.

Does this seem like good advice? I've read that you shouldn't use an antibiotic if they aren't sick.

 

[Katy]

No, the antibiotics don't sound like a good idea. All it is likely to do is mask any symptoms of any disease they may have been exposed to. The vitamins and electrolytes won't hurt them and may help them with the stress of the move.

 

[ranchhand]

I agree with Katy, don't treat for a "maybe". Good luck with your new hens, and

 

[nwfchickenman]

Thank you both.