antibiotics in animal feed?

Question

Some poultry farmers believe that feeding antibiotics to poultry will help fatten the birds, is it true?
Are there any hazards to the general public?

Answer 1

I'm afraid that Hillman gave you an incorrect answer. Antibiotics are still very much used in animal feed (not just poultry), as are steroids, and growth hormones. I should specify...here in the U.S., where I live (and farm). Perhaps Hillman lives in another country.

Many people, including folks at the CDC (Center for Disease Control) believe that the use of antibiotics in animal feed has led to a marked increase of problems in the human sector.

Farmers have to feed the antibiotics to animals which are raised in the horribly overcrowded commercial farms. Otherwise disease takes a toll, and the animals do not grow properly. It is not that the antibiotics are putting fat on the animal. It's that the antibiotics are keeping disease at bay, which allows the animal to put energy into growth and fat, instead of fighting an illness.

A lot of people also believe they no longer feed ground up animals to other herbivors (that it is now against the law). This is not exactly the case. It's only illegal to feed ground up animals to ruminant s (cud chewers). It's still perfectly legal to feed ground up animals to horses. Don't believe me...check the actual lable on a bag of Nuetrena Senior Horse Feed. The skip around it on their web site, but the actual bag lable tells the truth.

Hazzards of these current practices...current antibiotics are becoming totally useless to fight diseases and infections, because of their gross overuse.

Little girls are being launched into puperty at extremely early ages (6, 7, 8) because of the use of steroids, and growth hormones.

Increases of certain cancers are possibly linked.

The livestock itself is unable to survive without the constant supply of antibiotics. The livestock's health and quality of life is suffering because of these practices.

The over use of antibiotics is creating more and more "super bugs" which are immune to almost all antibiotics and simply cannot be killed.

Do a Google search on it...you'll be amazed at what you find out.

~Garnet
Homesteading/Farming over 20 years
Reading the actual lables on the feed bags the entire time

Answer 2

I thought there was still some tetracycline added to Chicken and calf feed purchased under most BRAND NAMES. I may be wrong since it is 17 years since I was an active farmer.

Scours, squitters and gleet plague young animals and kill many. "Medicated Food" appeared to reduce the incidence.

Answer 3

whoever gave you the info that is antibiotics in feed has given you wrong info.Antibiotics in feed has been outlawed in the USA an long time ago.Now if antibiotic is used to cure an sick animal.There are strict withdrawal times an producer must follow.USDA checks on this as well as FDA.Our food supply is safe and there will be no antibiotics in it.

Answer 4

it is true and it is reported to be safe but i have my doubts!