Terramycin dosage-- super simple question!!

[btpeters]

OK I am totally unfamiliar with this stuff but we just bought some baby chicks and the guy at tractor supply said to buy some and add it to the water-- trouble is, we don't know how much to add...the bag says 200 mg for 5 gallons, but we can't weigh it!! is that about a teaspoon full? Any idea? He also said to give some to our year old hens--that is would be good for them. Any comment? Thanks!

 

[silkiechicken]

Giving antibiotics to birds when you don't have a known or high risk bacterial infection problem is now known to be a BAD practice. With what has been learned in the last few decades, over use of antibiotics or use of it when not needed leads to bacteria you can't kill when you really need it. I say chuck the antibiotics and forget it. Clean fresh water is all you need and want.

 

[arlee453]

If you were perfectly healthy, would YOU take a prescription of antibiotics??

I agree with silkiechicken. Your birds do NOT need the antibiotics unless they are sick with a bacterial infection. PERIOD.

Keep them on hand as part of your medicine chest, but never give them just because some guy at the feed store said so, with no evidence of illness in your flock. Guys at the feed store often have no clue about proper poultry practices.

 

[rooster-red]

The advise you were given at the feed store sounds crazy. Did he also tell you that you have to give it to them for 7-10 days, and that you can't eat or incubate the eggs while you are treating them and for 2 weeks after treatment?

Are they sick and sneezing?

If they aren't sick, don't give it to them.

Quarentine the new babies for at least 4 weeks away from the original flock or you'll put all of them at risk.

 

[btpeters]

you guys are amazing! thank so much for answering so quickly and with such helpful advice! i'll definately take it

 

[sammi]

you're better off giving them some vitamins or just fresh water then antibiotics..

I keep seeing this more and more..guys at feed stores, especially TSC..pushing the terramycin..
it's wrong..

save it in a cool place for a possible future need of it.

 

[greenthumb89]

can anyone still give the dosage? i had a pretty beaten up cochin when i tried to introduce younger birds to older adn i was worried about infection, turns out i caught it in time and got some neosporin on it and it healed really well can hardly tell that it happened other then the special treatment she now gets but *shrug* what are you going to do about that?

 

[swampducks]

The McMurray Hatchery site says 2 tsp per gallon for sick birds.

And they say 1 tsp for maintenance , which is against what everyone else here is saying. I myself wouldn't use it for maintenance.

I am using it now however because I have guinea keets dying. I lost another one last night. I don't know if that's better or not, I've lost 9 in 2.5 days now.