Chicken bald back

[Luvachicken]

When my dear little Queenie was poorly, I bought her another bottle of nutridrops.

I already had a bit in one bottle which runs out in Feb'15 so thought it best to get her some more.

It was the only one left at the farm so I bought it and took it home, only to find the sell by date was the same as the one I had, Feb'15. I was a bit frustrated by that as I had the other one ages, and presumably new stock would have had a far longer date.

Sadly, as most of you know, Queenie got PTS and I never used the bottle of nutridrops but now its sell by date is coming up.

 

Can I give it to my girls as a little boost to use it up or will it be ok to keep it for longer anyway, and if so, how long ?

[PixieDust]

I also wondered about that because I have a virtually new bottle but the pipette had been down Pob's throat and I don't want to cross contaminate the others if I were to ever use it again. Any ideas?

 

Sorry to piggyback your post Luvachicken.

[Luvachicken]

Hi PixieDust, I always use the little syringes that you get from the vets, then I just take them apart and give them a good wash.

 

I really just want to use it up because it is quite expensive to waste.

[Redwing]

I am still using a bottle that is over a year out of date, its still fine

 

If you want to use yours up then yes its fine to add to their water as a general tonic

[Mars]

I would use for 6 months after 15 Feb.

[Beantree]

We have treated with Nutridrops recently and notice that the contents include sugars. They promote bad bacteria as well as giving an energy boost, so I would suggest the Nutridrops are kept for emergencies only. I think the dosage they suggest on the bottle is rather excessive anyway and used less than half that as it didn't seem to agree at all with the digestion of the sickies given even in the recommended minimum dose.

 

As Redwing, I'd keep an unopened bottle a year after the 'use by' date. Sounds cynical I know, but I think some of these dates on products are set to improve sales rather than for the benefit of the user.

[Luvachicken]

Thanks for the info everyone.

At least I can use it when I need to now.

 

It smells of something my grandma used to give us when we were little - molasses or something - big, thick treacley stuff, memories eh

[Cat tails]

These products won't really go bad. Although opened bottles might develop bacteria colonies.

The use by date is determined by the effectiveness. The product may be less effective after a while, because some of the vitamins will break down. It won't be bad for your hens, but not as useful as a 'fresh' bottle. It's important to keep the bottle as dark and cool as possible. Some vitamins are heat and light sensitive.

[Luvachicken]

Thanks Cat tails, it's kept in my chicken cupboard so should be fine in there for a while

[The Dogmother]

I am still using a bottle that is over a year out of date, its still fine

 

Me too; I use it so infrequently that it never gets used before the use by date.

 

T..... It smells of something my grandma used to give us when we were little - molasses or something - big, thick treacley stuff, memories eh

 

B vits