Backyard Brahmas!!

[speckledhen]

@Blooie

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I like that, too. My Delawares and others were a trip hazard. I love my Brahma ladies for this reason, too, among others, that they are/were sweet and friendly without making me fall trying to avoid stepping on them.

 

[Lilyput]

Just thought it was time to post an update on how my "for really" Buff Brahmas are doing! At 6 weeks, almost 7, they have been fully integrated with the rest of the flock for about 2 weeks now. They are doing great! They seem to be friendly without being pushy, which is what I like. Oh, I know, I know - I'm supposed to get all ga-ga if they run up to me and leap joyfully into my arms. But I happily accept them being content not to run like their tails are on fire, and have them puttering around in the grass at my feet. That's just me.

I have some new pullets in a separate space from my adult hens. They are 4-5 weeks old and they can all see each other. I thought I had to keep them separated for 16 weeks because I was told I had to feed the pullets medicated feed for that long. My adult flock is on all fowl feed so the calcium wouldn't be an issue. How do you handle the separate feeding of the medicated feed for your pullets?

 

[autumnhearth]

I have some new pullets in a separate space from my adult hens. They are 4-5 weeks old and they can all see each other. I thought I had to keep them separated for 16 weeks because I was told I had to feed the pullets medicated feed for that long. My adult flock is on all fowl feed so the calcium wouldn't be an issue. How do you handle the separate feeding of the medicated feed for your pullets?

Is there a specific reason why they are on medicated feed? I know some folks do medicated chick feed by choice, but you certainly don't have to if they are healthy and I don't think you would want them on it that close to laying age. If you want to boost their immune systems try adding some vitamins, probiotics, apple cider vinegar and/or garlic to their water. We just integrated this week. Our chicks were 10 weeks old, now 11, but they have been free ranging together for a month and the little girls have been in a moveable pen near the run for two months. Little stressful, we have one hen that chases and pecks them, the rest are good. I've separated her several times, she's at the bottom of the pecking order. They are all on organic grower/broiler.

 

[Blooie]

My flock, like so many others, is a mix of various aged chicks, roosters and layers. I simply feed a flock raiser, and provide oyster shell in a separate container for the ladies. They take what they need. I've never used medicated chick starter so I don't worry about a switch

 

[speckledhen]

Quote:
The meds in that feed are not antibiotics, they are a thiamine blocker to help prohibit the oocysts in the soil that cause coccidiosis from taking over their systems. It doesn't hurt them to eat it until laying age, but in all honesty, the amprolium in the feed truly does not prevent cocci anyway in the ripe conditions for it and it's easier to keep Corid (concentrated amprolium) on hand to treat if it pops up. I prefer to feed non-medicated chick starter or starter/grower and then everyone can eat it with no worries.

Probiotics, vitamins and all the other stuff mentioned, while good for them, will not prevent coccidiosis which is caused by a protozoan.

 

[bumpercarr]

Is there a specific reason why they are on medicated feed? I know some folks do medicated chick feed by choice, but you certainly don't have to if they are healthy and I don't think you would want them on it that close to laying age. If you want to boost their immune systems try adding some vitamins, probiotics, apple cider vinegar and/or garlic to their water. We just integrated this week. Our chicks were 10 weeks old, now 11, but they have been free ranging together for a month and the little girls have been in a moveable pen near the run for two months. Little stressful, we have one hen that chases and pecks them, the rest are good. I've separated her several times, she's at the bottom of the pecking order. They are all on organic grower/broiler.

I use medicated feed until they are 10 weeks old (sometimes longer if they are in a pen with multiple ages). I have lost some to cocci, and refuse to lose them anymore. Usually by 10 weeks, they are good to go off the medicated, at that point I put them on grower feed. Mine all stay on grower, like Blooie I give them free choice oyster shell.

Remember, brahmas grow slower than other breeds. Even though they seem large as 4-5 week olds, they are still just 4-5 week olds like any other breed.

 

[speckledhen]

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In truth, you may one day still have to treat chicks for cocci who are on medicated feed. I've had to so many times that I've quit buying any feed with amprolium in it and keep Corid on hand. The amount of amprolium in the feed is simply not sufficient to prevent cocci, especially during protracted rainy periods or if you live in the soupy south and are brooding chicks in warm weather. I've never lost any to cocci, but I've come close once or twice on a particular weaker chick or two over the years. Corid is the only way they were saved, medicated feed did not prevent it.

Most of the time, they are developing immunity to cocci by 10 weeks of age anyway, though if a different strain is brought in that they haven't experienced yet, they can still get it since they are only immune to the strains in their own soil

 

[bumpercarr]

I haven't had any develop cocci after being on medicated feed, but I'm sure it is possible. It is pretty dry here, so I don't usually have a sloppy, messy problem to deal with. That said, I also have Corid on hand, just in case I need it. I had some 10 week old chicks sent to me about a month ago. Although they were at the age that I normally would put them on grower, I put them on the medicated feed just to give them that extra help for a little while. The chicks that they are with are only 8 weeks old right now, so everyone is on it for a few more weeks.

 

[Blooie]

I tossed a clump of sod from the yard into the brooder when the chicks were 2 days old, while I was still brooding them in the house. Now I do all of my brooding outdoors in the run from the get-go, right on the same floor and litter that all of my chickens and older chicks have been on. I rake out the top portion of the litter, put a little clean down on top of what remains, and let 'em go. Don't know what good that clean, fresh upper layer does - they have it all scratched down and mixed up in a few hours anyway. But that's what Mom would do, and it's working very well for me.

 

[Lilyput]

I use medicated feed until they are 10 weeks old (sometimes longer if they are in a pen with multiple ages). I have lost some to cocci, and refuse to lose them anymore. Usually by 10 weeks, they are good to go off the medicated, at that point I put them on grower feed. Mine all stay on grower, like Blooie I give them free choice oyster shell.

Remember, brahmas grow slower than other breeds. Even though they seem large as 4-5 week olds, they are still just 4-5 week olds like any other breed.

Thanks for the information. I give all flock grower, a little calf manna, sun flower seed and free choice oyster to my hens. I think I'll keep pullets on the medicated for at least the ten weeks as I already have it. They also safely "free range". I've had them about a week and one had a bit of runny stool, but they seem fine, healthy, and vibrant now. None of them are brahmas.