Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
ANTIBIOTICS AND WITHDRAWAL
Medicating birds raised strictly for meat production is usually unnecessary. With the
exception of coccidiosis, the first 16 weeks of life are typically disease-free. If medic-
ations are used, however, it is vital that you make note of each date and time that you
add the drug to your birds' feed or water. Most feeds contain a coccidiostat to battle
coccidiosis. This drug has a limited
withdrawal period,
the period of time required
after the drug is “withdrawn” from the animal's food or water supply prior to con-
suming any part of the animal or eggs. The current standards say there's a zero-day
withdrawal period for a coccidiostat, but other medications have longer withdrawal
periods.
Adhering to these regulations is a must. Failure to follow the proper withdrawal
period by selling or consuming medicated meat may lead to traces of the drug in the
meat. Anyone with allergic reactions to these medications can have serious health
problems as a result.
If a medication is used, do not exceed the recommended dosage or give it for
longer than prescribed, or it may take even longer to get it out of the bird's system.
Managing Growth
Watching the healthy (or unhealthy) growth of your birds, regardless of the type of broil-
er that you raise, is crucial if you're going to be successful and able to continue to raise
for more than just one year. Set up a system that works best for you to achieve the
growth rate you wish for them.
Again, if you want meat as fast as possible, no matter what the cost, then you have
the option of Cornish Cross broilers on full feed in a relatively climate-controlled facil-
ity. If you are more concerned about sustainability and flavorful meat, then the choice of
a traditional heritage breed is the best option. There are also many choices in between.
Final carcass weight is important but so is breed sustainability. Keep in mind that you
cannot keep Cornish Cross broilers for breeding and attempt to make a sustainable sys-
tem. These birds are the results of a cross and have such large bodies they cannot breed
naturally. But if you want meat produced quickly with rapid growth rate, chickens such
as the Cornish Cross broiler will get you done with the entire project in several months.
Time Frames
Some will want to know that they will have their project done within 8 to 10 weeks so
they can plan accordingly and know when the chickens will be gone. Others will not be
satisfied with such a system and want a more traditional type of chicken flock, which
