WHERE DO YOU GET ANTIBIOTICS

[ChristieDB]

New to chickens, this spring. My girls are 15 weeks this week. 2 RIR, 2 EE, 2 SLW -- funniest, sweetest, silliest, weirdos around! Love them.

For the past few weeks it has seemed that almost every day they were learning new sounds, exhibiting new behaviors -- the teenage years are real! Yesterday was no exception, one of my SLW, my sweetest henny in the bunch, started making a new noise.

We arrived home shortly after they are normally cooped up on their own - and we just have to close the door and bring in the food and water for the night. When we got to the run (12x20) Brigitta (SLW) and Maria (EE) both poked their heads back out and jumped back down -- we let them out to free range for a few minutes and they went right back in. Maria got straight into the coop, but Brigitta didn't; she stood at the door and started making this whiny noise. I picked her up (she is the only one who hangs around for cuddles) and loved on her a few minutes, and she kept wining/crying away. She was/is in no distress. I put her in the coop and she found her place on the roost - but as they all chattered, I could still hear her making the same "new" sound. My husband said it didn't sound like anything wrong - just a new sound.

I of course scoured the interwebs and BYC all night and today - and of course have scared myself silly -- however, today - she was talking normally - and then when I left the pen she began to do it again. I honestly think she is whining at me - like she was made we were later last night and today because I was leaving. I haven't found any examples that sound like what she is doing. (I will try to record it later.) That being said, I am sufficiently worried sick now about what would happen if one or all got sick and I see post after post that say "start antibiotics immediately" - WHERE DOES ONE GET CHICKEN ANTIBIOTICS???

Just trying to be proactive! Thanks in advance!

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Usually a vet,but has to be who has actually worked with birds an for trained.If you live in the country they generally have things for chickens.But they may also have it in a feed store

 

[lomine]

Are you in the USA? I'm pretty sure they passed a new law this year that prohibited the sale of 'over-the-counter' livestock antibiotics. I think it was both to help prevent antibiotic resistant diseases from forming and because people were taking them. I personally wouldn't give antibiotics unless there was a verified infection and only if the animal needs help fighting it.

If you are worried the chicken might be sick but aren't sure you can try electrolytes, a vitamin mix, and/or nutri drench (there are poultry specific products). If she is fighting something they will help. If she is fine they won't hurt. You could give it to everyone if you like. You should be able to find options at a feed store.

 

[Justso]

Are you in the USA? I'm pretty sure they passed a new law this year that prohibited the sale of 'over-the-counter' livestock antibiotics. I think it was both to help prevent antibiotic resistant diseases from forming and because people were taking them. I personally wouldn't give antibiotics unless there was a verified infection and only if the animal needs help fighting it.

If you are worried the chicken might be sick but aren't sure you can try electrolytes, a vitamin mix, and/or nutri drench (there are poultry specific products). If she is fighting something they will help. If she is fine they won't hurt. You could give it to everyone if you like. You should be able to find options at a feed store.

Agree, put where you are in your bio and if you're in the United States go to a farm store. In my area it's Tractor Supply or farm and fleet along with I think big R? Other areas might have different Farm Stores.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Are you in the USA? I'm pretty sure they passed a new law this year that prohibited the sale of 'over-the-counter' livestock antibiotics.....

Lomine is unfortunately correct. Starting in December 2016 you must have a prescription from a vet in order to buy medically important (meaning effective) antibiotics.

Read it and weep.
https://www.beefcattleinstitute.org/changes-antibiotics-regulations/

The good thing is that you can evermore forget about worrying about antibiotic residue in your store bought eggs. This is why the 11 most terrifying words to every business man is "I'm from the Government and I am here to help you."

 

[Mrs. K]

Just as a rule of thumb, any chicken that is eating, and active, with clear eyes and nose does not need medicine. Be slow to medicate trying to save your birds.

Begin to work with the idea that it is the flock that is fun, and that birds will come and go in your flock. When people get so attached to a specific bird, it scares me a bit, because while I have had chickens for more than 10 years, individual birds have come and gone. In my experience, chickens are not real long lived.

A lot of people on here seem to treat birds for what appears to be nearly imaginary illnesses. Not good husbandry.

Mrs K

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Just as a rule of thumb, any chicken that is eating, and active, with clear eyes and nose does not need medicine. Be slow to medicate trying to save your birds.

Begin to work with the idea that it is the flock that is fun, and that birds will come and go in your flock. When people get so attached to a specific bird, it scares me a bit, because while I have had chickens for more than 10 years, individual birds have come and gone. In my experience, chickens are not real long lived.

A lot of people on here seem to treat birds for what appears to be nearly imaginary illnesses. Not good husbandry.

Mrs K

The same rule applies to almost every breed of livestock. If it is standing, walking, and eating then it is HEALTHY. That was and still is the rule for free range livestock.

 

[Folly's place]

Overuse of antibiotics has been a very real problem, and restricting OTC sale of just about everything has become necessary. Most 'chicken diseases' and problems are not cured with antibiotics, so reaching for them first has been a very bad idea.
Mary

 

[casportpony]

The 1-1-2017 law requires you get a prescription for almost all water soluble antbiotics in 49 states, but not some injectables, and the 1-1-2018 law requires a prescription or *all* antibiotics in California only.
Different diseases need different antibiotics, so I would suggest that you find an Avian vet that you're comfortable working with and establish a doctor/client relationship with them.

 

[aart]

My husband said it didn't sound like anything wrong - just a new sound.

Agrees.

Just as a rule of thumb, any chicken that is eating, and active, with clear eyes and nose does not need medicine. Be slow to medicate trying to save your birds.

Ditto Dat!^^^

Different diseases need different antibiotics, so I would suggest that you find an Avian vet that you're comfortable working with and establish a doctor/client relationship with them.

Excellent advice.


Applying antibiotics at the drop of a hat, or a new noise from bird, is not a great way to go. Giving meds willy-nilly can make the situation more complicated and do more harm than good. Slow down and just observe.

At 15 weeks she may be starting hormone production....thus the change in vocalizations.