Amproulin in feed?

[red horse ranch]

I have a mixed flock of old and young chickens, guineas and peafowl. Most of them don't need layer feed so I've been trying to find a 20% protein feed that doesn't have extra calcium in it. The only feed I can find at my feed store is a 20% grower that also contains amproulin.(sp?) Is this going to harm my poultry on a long term basis? They all live together in the same henhouse and eat the same feed.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Amprolium won't hurt the other birds but I wouldn't use it long term.
It only works to prevent coccidia from completing their life cycle.
Call your feed store, or others in your area and see if they'll stock some non-medicated grower or all flock feed. ( I know how sparsely populated it is out there) Starter is the only feed with amprolium added and not all starter is medicated.

 

[red horse ranch]

The 20% grower Is actually a pheasant grower since there are several bird farms in the area. Another feed store in town has 22% meat bird pellets but the price is almost twice what I pay for the pheasant grower.
I don't know which is worse, too much calcium or too much amprolium.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Too much calcium is worse. The amprolium is a thiamine blocker so adding some vitamin B could compensate.

 

[red horse ranch]

All of my poultry clean up the fresh horse manure every day so I think they are getting the extra vitamin B.
Thanks for your help.

 

[lazy gardener]

I would not bring any feed with Amprolium into my yard. Surely, there must be an other option for you? If you want 20% protein, do they have a multi flock that is not medicated? Or can you buy a lower protein feed, and add a few handfulls of kitty kibble or cat fish pellets to it?

 

[red horse ranch]

I've never liked medicated feed either. But my only other option for an all flock feed is !6% poultry developer without medication or extra calcium. Guineas and peafowl need more protein than that this time of year when they don't have grasshoppers and bugs to eat. That's why Ive been trying different feeds. The chickens love cat food but the other fowl won't eat it. They do eat my dog's leftover food tho.

 

[Percheron chick]

I would just add some soy chips or meal to the mix.

 

[Folly's place]

Will your feed store order what you want from one of their suppliers? If they already get Purina, or Nutrena, or something, can't they add a bag or two of something that works for you? It won't hurt to ask! Then make sure the mill dates on the bags are good, not older than a month or so. I don't think the amprolium would be really harmful, but I wouldn't want to feed it all the time either!
Mary

 

[casportpony]

https://www.purinamills.com/game-bird-feed/education/detail/feeding-game-birds-for-life
Six special rations for game birds
Purina® Game Bird Breeder Layena® (20% protein) product is formulated to support egg production, fertility, embryo development and chick vigor. Feed Game Bird Breeder Layena from one month prior to start of egg production until birds go out of production.

Purina® Game Bird Startena® (30% protein) product is formulated to promote rapid growth through bone and muscle development. Feed Game Bird Startena for the first 6 weeks of life.

Purina® Game Bird Flight Conditioner (19% protein) is formulated to stimulate growth and feathering with a minimal amount of body fat. Feed Flight Conditioner from 6 to 16 weeks to attain maximal feathering. Continue feeding Flight Conditioner until release to keep flying birds in top condition.

Purina® Game Bird Finisher (20% protein) is a meat-producing ration. Feed Game Bird Finisher from 6 to 14 weeks (6 to 16 weeks for quail). Birds should be slaughtered as soon as possible after 14 weeks to insure maximum return on investment.

Purina® Game Bird Maintenance Chow® (12.5% protein) product is a holding ration for game birds that have reached maturity. Maintenance Chow can be fed after 16 weeks of age or after the shooting season, whichever is desirable. This product is especially valuable for holding breeders over the winter.

Purina® Gamebird Pheasant Chow® product is available with or without Amprolium. Line up consists for five products each which include Starter, Finisher, Flight Conditioner, Maintainer, and the Breeder ration. Legally cleared for pheasants only to prevent coccidiosis in growing pheasants.