A few basic questions. Please take your time to read this.

[theFox]

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I'm not certain, but I don't think the dosages in medicated feeds are very high at all if my memory is correct.

Which of course is why several feed makers only recommend using medicated feed up to 8 weeks of age, you have to understand that the normal sources of thiamine in the chicken kicks in when the chick starts eating things in the litter and that along with the vastly increased feed intake effectively creates a high dose of thiamine or thiamine mimickers.

 

[Katy]

Well, I've been raising mine for many years the same way and haven't ever had any issues with coccidiosis so I think I'll continue to feed them the medicated feed the way I always have.

 

[luckyramu]

I've just completed a study on chicks loving their caretaker. It was highly involved, consisting of Dianetics, crystals, foil chicken-hats with wires, and a chiapet. My research was conclusive, and rest assured that your chickens love you. Don't listen to all these other peeps- they are quaks and i'm the real deal.

They love you, and that's all you need to know.

 

[KKatknap]

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You are my favorite post of the day!

 

[jossanne]

My feed store sells medicated starter feed for the first 8 weeks; grower feed for the next 8-10 weeks; and layer feed for after that.

 

[chicken_china_mom]

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I have 2 feed stores that I go to. TSC sells the 3 kinds like you mentioned, and that's how I did it last year, I had them on starter for 6 weeks, then grower/finisher until they hit I think it was 16 weeks, and then from there I put them on layer, and I've had no problems with my birds. This year I went to Big R because their feed happens to be cheaper by quite a bit, so I got their chick starter and I've been feeding it to my babies for the last 6 weeks. It is medicated. Big R does not, however, carry a grower/finisher, so I have to decide, do I want to trek over to TSC and purchase the more expensive grower/finisher, or move them straight to layer. I am kind of picky when it comes to my pets, so I am leaning heavily toward making the trek to TSC.

As for whether a chicken can or cannot love, I agree with Jkioneil. We aren't chickens, we don't know what emotions they can or cannot feel. I believe that any animal that can feel fear or anger can also feel love. I'm not saying it's the same exact emotion as a human feels, but I believe they can feel love. I can go and sit with my birds with absolutely NOTHING in my hands, no treats, no food, nothing, and I have several that will come and sit with me, and one that will come and sit directly in my lap and lean her head against my chest so that I will scratch behind her ears and talk to her. If that's not love, I don't know what is.

 

[vetgirl00us]

that's like saying a human baby doesn't love us- it just smiles and coos because it associates with us food, shelter, comfort etc. It's not until our babies speak and say "luv u mommy" that we know..... Our chickies love us!!!!!

 

[desertgirl]

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Ok-it is official; this is one of my all time favorite posts.Well played, sir.