eXtension

Drugs Approved for Use in

Conventional Poultry
Production
articles.extension.org/pages/66983/drugs-approved-
for-use-in-conventional-poultry-production

Small and Backyard Flocks November 04,

2015 (20151104)
Written by: Dr. Jacquie Jacob, University of
Kentucky

NOTE Drugs may not be used in organic

poultry production. However, organic
producers may not withhold medical
treatment from a sick animal in an effort to
preserve its organic status. All appropriate
medications must be used to restore an
animal to health when methods acceptable
to organic production fail. Livestock treated
with a prohibited substance must be clearly
identified and shall not be sold, labeled, or
represented as organically produced.

There are many different types of drugs

available that can be added to poultry feed
to prevent and treat illnesses and
parasites.

Antibiotics
Antibiotics acceptable for use in
conventional poultry production include
the following:

Bacitracin (e.g., BMD, Pennitracin

MD, Albac)
Chlortetracycline (e.g., Chloratet,
Aureomycin)
Lincomycin (e.g., Lincomx)
Oxytetracycline (e.g., Terramycin)
Penicillin
Tylosin (e.g., Tylan)
Virginiamycin (e.g., Stafac, V-Max)
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 Ionophores

For more information about antibiotics,

refer to the article "Antibiotics Approved
for Use in Conventional Poultry
Production."

Coccidiostats
Coccidiosis is a common parasitic disease
of poultry. It is the result of an infestation
of coccidia in the intestines. A number of
different drugs, called coccidiostats, are
available for use in conventional diets to
control coccidiosis in poultry.

Coccidiostats that can be used in

conventional poultry production include
the following:

Amprolium (e.g., Amprol, Corid)

Bambermycin (e.g., Flavomycin,
GAINPRO)
Decoquinate (e.g., Deccox)
Diclazuril (e.g., Clinacox)
Halofuginone hydrobromide (e.g.,
Stenorol)
Lasalocid (e.g., Avatec)
Monensin (e.g., Coban)
Narasin (e.g., Monteban)
Nicarbazin (e.g., Nicarb 25%)
Salinomycin (e.g., Bio-Cox, Sacox)
Semduramicin (e.g., Aviax)
Sulfadimethoxine and ormetoprim
5:3 (e.g., Rofenaid)

For more information about coccidiostats,

refer to the article "Use of Anticoccidial
Medications and Vaccines in Poultry
Production."

Medications for Controlling

Intestinal Worms
There are several types of parasitic worm
that can infest poultry, including
roundworm, tapeworm, cecal worms, and
capillary worms. There are only a few
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products that can be added to
conventional poultry feed to control
internal parasites. No products are
approved for use with egg-laying hens.

Acceptable products for worm control

include the following:

Fenbendazole—for turkeys only (e.g.,

Safe-Guard)
Hygromycin B—for chickens only
(e.g., Hygromix-8)

For more information about intestinal

worms, refer to the article "Internal
Parasites of Poultry."

Products for Controlling

External Parasites
There are several types of external
parasite that can infest a poultry flock.
Typical pesticides used for control of
external parasites include:

Permethrin-based medications (e.g.,

Prozap Garden and Poultry Dust)
Tetrachlorvinphos-based
medications (e.g., Rabon)
Carbaryl-based medications (e.g.,
Sevin) Voluntarily withdrawn for use
with poultry

For more information refer to the "Insect

Control on Poultry" fact sheet by the
University of Kentucky Cooperative
Extension.

Products for Controlling

Darkling Beetles
Darkling beetles are a common problem in
poultry facilities. The adults are black with
hardened front wings and antennae that
start under a ridge near the eyes. The
larvae (referred to as mealworms) are
worm-like and slightly hardened for

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burrowing. Both the larvae and beetles eat
decaying leaves, sticks, grass, dead
insects, feces, and grains.

Brand-name products that can be used to

control darkling beetles include the
following:

Credo
Tempo

​For more information about darkling

beetles, refer to the article "Darkling
Beetles."

Products for Fly Control

Compounds that can be added to
conventional feed to aid in fly control in
poultry houses include the following:

Cyromazine (e.g., Flyzine, Larvadex,

and Solitude IGR)

NOTE Brand names appearing in this article

are examples only. No endorsement is
intended, nor is criticism implied of similar
products not mentioned.

Current update on drugs for game bird

species (FARAD)

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