The correct use of medicines will enhance the health and overall fitness of the flock
The early detection of illness is the most important part of using medicines, because it means that less medicine is needed to repel the illness. Water cleansers given at the first sign of illness is by far the best approach but, at times, the water cleansers are not enough and stronger antibiotics are required to prevent serious illness or death. The challenge for the fancier is to learn to recognize the first sign of illness and then choose the correct medicine.

The aviary birds are treated differently from the breeding pairs
As a general rule, individual rather than flock treatment is given to the breeding pairs, because they are kept isolated from the rest of the flock in their own cabinets. On the other hand, flock treatment is often recommended for the overcrowded young bird aviary.

Individual crop needle treatment often saves the lives of the ill birds
The crop needle treatment of individuals in a warmed hospital cage accelerates recovery, allowing the fancier to more quickly identify the best medicine for the rest of the flock. The correct medicine is chosen from the response of the ill bird to the medicine. A positive response occurs within 48 hours of the using the correct medicine. The ill bird becomes more active, starts eating and has smaller well-formed droppings. Veterinary help or the medicine is changed when the sick bird shows no improvement after 48 hours.

A positive response to the medicine means the fancier can then treat the flock confidently and with no fear of compromising the natural resistance of the flock
The health of the rest of the flock is protected by the above method, although the fancier does not know the exact cause of the disease. This method identifies the correct medicine very quickly, resulting in a faster recovery and a shorter treatment. Of course, veterinary help is the best option with serious outbreaks, but serious outbreaks are often avoided by using this system. As well, the shorter treatment, usually two or three days, improves rather than depresses the natural immunity of the young flock.

Copyright © 2002 Rob Marshall, All Rights Reserved.