I went to my local milling company today to pick up some chick starter. Guess what? My local mill owner said that they are no longer allowed to sell medicated chick starter/grower without veterinary approval. Seems that the medicated starter/grower feed now falls under USDA restrictions along with all of those other medications/antibiotics that used to be sold over the counter. I am a guy who pretty much believes in the laws of nature and survival of the fittest. I have never been one to rely on drugs or medications to treat sick birds. The only medications/treatments that I use on my fowl have been various worming medications, lice and mite control treatments and medicated chick starter to help in the prevention of coccidiosis. I am not sure yet what my plan B is going to be so far as the medicated chick starter goes, but if your local feed store still has any of the medicated starter/grower feed in stock, now would be a good time to get it before it's gone.
*USDA Effective January 1, 2017, stricter federal rules regulate how medically important antibioticsmedications that are important for treating human diseasecan be administered to animals in feed and drinking water. Among the provisions, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires veterinary oversight whenever such antibiotics are administered to any food animal species via feed or water, even if the animals are not intended for food production. From pet rabbits and pigs, to backyard poultry, to large livestock farms, the same restrictions apply. All medically important antibiotics to be used in feed or water for food animal species require a Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) or a prescription.
*USDA Effective January 1, 2017, stricter federal rules regulate how medically important antibioticsmedications that are important for treating human diseasecan be administered to animals in feed and drinking water. Among the provisions, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires veterinary oversight whenever such antibiotics are administered to any food animal species via feed or water, even if the animals are not intended for food production. From pet rabbits and pigs, to backyard poultry, to large livestock farms, the same restrictions apply. All medically important antibiotics to be used in feed or water for food animal species require a Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) or a prescription.