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Should you feed your chicks medicated feed?

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sunny & the 5 egg layers

sunny & the 5 egg layers

Crowing
8 Years
Mar 29, 2011
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Hi, I am raising 6 chicks right now and I am feeding them non medicated feed. The guy at the feed store didnt know what the medicated feed was for. He said they medicated the chicks water. Does that count as chicks being medicated? Also, what is the electrolyte solution? What does it do and do you recommend doing it? Thanks.
 
medicated chick feed is to help control coccidiosis in chicks. Yes, there are medications you can put int eh water, but generally that is for treatment, not prevention.

Electrolytes would be useful if you had a sick chick or if chicks were stressed after shipping.

I don't add anything unless I have need for it.
 
I raised chicks the last two years. I used Purina medicated feed. I did not put anything in the water. Just gave them plain tap water. I will do the same thing the next time I raise chicks, probably for a couple of years. I have plenty of egg layers right now.
 
I read that chics get Cocci from the feces of grown chickens. If they are not around grown chickens, do they need medicated feed? I am not feeding my chicks medicated feed (or anything else medicated) right now, but am wondering if I should when I introduce them to the hens next month.
 
I personally chose not to feed mine medicated feed. I'd rather them have an immunity. I don't have any other chickens, this is my first rodeo. I wondered if maybe I should have went with medicated... But, I stand by my decision at the moment (my oldest chicks are 4 weeks).
 
If you do not want organic chickens, I would recommend the meidcated feed so you do not risk them getting sick. It gets out of their system a couple weeks after you stop feeding it to them. I have organic chickens so I do not feed medicated and it is a lot more worisome and difficult so I envy you if you do feed medicated.
 
If the medicated feed is out of their systems in a few weeks how would having medicated feed stop them from making organic eggs or being organic themselves if eventually they aren't going to be on it and it leaves their systems over time? (Holy runon sentences batman!)
 
It is also borne by wild birds and in wild bird droppings as well. It isn't a medication or antibiotic, as one might think of it. It is merely a blocker, allowing the chick's own immune system to grow, and not be overwhelmed when exposed.

Once you stop feeding it, it's gone. It is more important, really, at age 4-8 weeks when they begin to come in contact with the outside world.
 
Certified organic chickens have been fed organically grown feed all their lives and never treated with antibiotics. Many small growers and free-range growers follow organic practices, but may or may not be certified organic.
 
Since I am feeding them non medicated feed at the moment would it be ok to switch to medicated if I do decide to use medicated feed? Thanks guys!
 

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