Where do y'all get antibiotics?

[chickenhick]

I keep reading here that sometimes chicks are given antibiotics. What are they and where would you get something like that?

 

[Bird Brain]

Tractor Supply is where I got mine. I guess most feed stored would have them though.

 

[cobrien]

i have the same question. what kind do you give them? is it oral or injectable? are there some better than others when it comes to eating the eggs, or some that have a shorter time that you have to wait before eating the eggs?

 

[NotTheMomma]

I got antibiotics from TSC, the fish store and the local farm store. I have horses, chickens, dogs, fish and cats, thus keep antibiotics on hand in case they are sick and I can treat at home. Sometimes you can't get to the vet on a holiday or weekend when you need them, and most won't treat fish or chickens.

Certain antibiotics work better with certain infections than other. I guess being a nurse helps me know what I'm treating most of the time. Of course without lab work showing which bacteria we're up against, and which antibiotic will work for that bacteria, it's really a toss up. Treat what commonly works for that illness and hope for the best. No improvement within 48hrs typically means it's not working. With people, we can order a culture and sensitivity. Of course not being a vet, or a doctor, I can't get those tests, so do the best I can with what knowledge I have.

 

[Bird Brain]

Quote:
Being new to chickens myself, I dont know if there are injectables for chickens. I was actully looking through them yesterday when I stopped to see what all they had so I could make a first aid box for emergencies since you dont know what off the wall time in the someone will get sick. Anywho, the antibiotics I bought you mix with their drinking water. I just asked the closest employee where the duramyacin was and she took me right to it. It was beside the gigantic cow nursing bottles. And I found the electrolytes in the same section. I had read where people give it to their sick birds for a pick me up.
There were injectables for swine, cows, ect however.

 

[chickabator]

our local feed store

 

[chickenhick]

What are the names of the most commonly used antibiotics? And, what disorders are each one used for?

 

[PunkinPeep]

Quote:
since you have this knowledge, would you share with us at least some loose guidelines to get us newbies on the right track?

for example, which antibiotics do you personally keep on hand? and which do you use for injuries?

something like that would be really helpful.

thanks

 

[Bird Brain]

chickenhick and cobrien,

*bag of duramyacin in hand*

Indications in chickens:
Control of cronic respiratory disease(CRD air sac disease) caused by (long bacterial names), infectious sinovitus caused by (more long bacterial names) sensitive to tetracycline hydracholride.

It tells you for each disease how strong to mix it as far as mg of Rx per gallon per day.

Do not slaughter birds for food within 4 days of treatment. Not for use in chickens or turkeys producing eggs for human consumption. Do not use for more than 14 consecutive days.

So I would say if your egg layer needs it I would wait a week before eating her eggs. Or 4 days at least. Since you can eat the meat after 4 days.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Quote:
since you have this knowledge, would you share with us at least some loose guidelines to get us newbies on the right track?

for example, which antibiotics do you personally keep on hand? and which do you use for injuries?

something like that would be really helpful.

thanks

Best thing to start with is get a copy of the "Chicken health handbook" by Gail Damerrow. It's a very good book that covers feeding, health, internals of the chicken. It has trouble shooting charts. ie the poo is green or yellow possible causes. It doesn't cost that much and is well worth every penny.

For where to get supplies it pays to shop around there is a big difference in price from one to another. Poultryman supply, Jeffers Livestock Supply, Americian Livestock Supply there are more but I'm drawing a blank at the moment.

Sometimes they have free shipping on orders or discounts for larger orders so if somebody is close you can get together and buy in bulk.

We keep Auremycian and Tylan powder on hand. Teramycian is pretty much useless unless used for chicks.

Sulmet liquid for cocci.

That's it for us. it's not very often we have any need for first aid type supplies. The antibiotics we have had for awhile now, I was just wondering if it has a shelf live? need to check that. It may sound cruel but we usually just cull sick or unthrifty birds. It will make your flock stronger in the long run.

Steve in NC