wabbitswayer
Junior Member
Eat well, stay fit, die anyway.
Posts: 69
|
Post by wabbitswayer on Jan 12, 2004 23:03:30 GMT -5
Ok, now I know that there are different methods for doing this. I know that lots of folks give their chicks of the meat/egg types lots of drugs as they are growing up. Does this have a side-effect on birds that are bred only for looks? I know this type of thing is true for other species but are chickens as sensitive to this type of thing?
|
|
|
Post by Kickingbird on Jan 12, 2004 23:20:51 GMT -5
Ok, becarful here! I'm a little sensitive about this subject LOL. First thing you should know is that there are less drugs used on food animals than you think (or are made to think by the popular press). Second, most broilers (and egg layers for that matter) are on medicated feed as chicks to preven cocidiosis. This does not hurt them at all, infact there would be tremendous lossed with out it. Usualy unless a flock gets sick they are not treated with drugs, in this case withdraw times are enforced to make sure residues are not in the products we eat. So slips sometimes occur? Yes they do but for the number of eggs and meat birds processed in the US the number of slips is so minute it is not an issue. As far as the birds go. With any kind of treatment you have to look at the lesser evil. If you don't treat them they will get sick and die, if you do treat them it may set them back some but they have a much better chance of recovering. Does this make sense...LOL, I can barley keep my eyes open! KB PS I may edit this in the morning.
|
|
wabbitswayer
Junior Member
Eat well, stay fit, die anyway.
Posts: 69
|
Post by wabbitswayer on Jan 13, 2004 8:52:04 GMT -5
When I raised the meat/egg chick last year their water always had to have the special stuff in it aeromycin and their feed was medicated. After a certain age, they didn't get either. I was told it was practically stupid to feed the exact same thing to my giant white turkeys. That is why I asked. I am not talking about commercial chickens but home raised ones. Are chicks just that sensitive?
|
|
|
Post by Kickingbird on Jan 13, 2004 13:08:21 GMT -5
It realy depends on the medication and the birds. I have raised literaly thousands of chickens and I would never put aeromycin in their water as a preventative. I have used it if a batch of chicks gets sick but that is a whole different story. I've never brooded turkeys so I'm not sure exactly what they are sensitive to. Realy if your litter is dry and you have good ventilation you should only have to give medicated starter for about 4 weeks. That is what I do and I hardly ever have a problem. Forgive me for rambling about commercial chickens, I was tired KB
|
|
wabbitswayer
Junior Member
Eat well, stay fit, die anyway.
Posts: 69
|
Post by wabbitswayer on Jan 13, 2004 14:48:27 GMT -5
I forgive you I am really partial to home-raised chickens for consumption, just can't beat the taste and satisfaction of knowing that the meat was home raised and home grown and practically free of all additives. No steroids, no antibiotics packed in to prevent diseases. I'd have to say that a happy bird tastes better than ones I can buy. But, that is my opinion I was just wondering if the same issue, the meds and stuff, should be different for show birds as opposed to consumption birds. Does it make a difference in the coloration or feather production of those that have very minimal drug usage compared to those that are doped up pretty good? Or has that even been considered?
|
|
|
Post by Kickingbird on Jan 13, 2004 16:36:34 GMT -5
I have not heard of any studies on anything like that, but I have had batches of chicks get sick, then treated them. Once they are grown I have never been able to see any differences, but that don't mean it's not there. As a general rule I keep records on when a bird gets sick and how it was treated. If I have to decide between two good birds for breeding I'll always choose the one that didn't get sick over the one that was treated.
KB
|
|
|
Post by stanscrbirds on Jan 13, 2004 19:02:07 GMT -5
As far as medication goes, this is my opinion and my opinion only, and you know what they say about opinions. But, my medicine chest consists of a couple of cocksidiants, some fast track enzymes, and a hatchet. If I get a bird that gets sick, I don't want to enter it into my breeding program. I am fortunate enough to have a university fairly close and every once in a while I will take a bird to them and have them analyze it for health. And I draw blood yearly and send in to be tested. And that's my procedure. Stan
|
|
|
Post by Predator on Jan 13, 2004 19:14:52 GMT -5
Personally, I don`t believe in keeping any animal on a steady diet of medication--what they eat---you eat. Medicated feed while young is fine , but then after they are grown--I only treat them if they get sick--keep a record, if a particular bird continues to get sick--do not breed it.The only medications that I keet on hand is for injuries or worming--I believe in D.E. for worming---keeps all the worms out--it is natural and not chemical. To make birds look good--make sure they have plenty of fresh veggies , fruit and water and some protein from fish ( sardines or mackeral ) once in a while with their regular feed.Also hard boiled eggs crushed up--shell and all.
|
|
|
Post by Kickingbird on Jan 13, 2004 21:39:36 GMT -5
I have the added advantage of living with a vetrinarian LOL. I get calls from the clinic all the time asking me about bird stuff....to which I reply..."who is the doctor here?" ;D KB
|
|