Broody raising chicks/medicated feed

[AshG]

Hiii!
I currently have a broody I gave 1 day olds to 2 werks ago. She is being an amazing mama and is in an enclosure off my current run from my flock of 3 hens. She seems to be trying to get to the other side with the others. I would gladly let her go with her chicks as I think she would definitely defend them (she is MEANNNN) but they are currently on medicated chick starter. My question is… How long do they realistically need to be on chick starter before I swap everyone to all flock? TIA!

 

[nuthatched]

If the all flock is 18-20% protein and crumbs, you can skip the starter.
If it's below 18% protein and/or pellets, I'd wait a month or so

 

[AshG]

If the all flock is 18-20% protein and crumbs, you can skip the starter.
If it's below 18% protein and/or pellets, I'd wait a month or so

I put them on medicated starter as they are unvaccinated for coccidiosis but I assume after a certain age, they don’t require medicated starter/feed?

 

[nuthatched]

I put them on medicated starter as they are unvaccinated for coccidiosis but I assume after a certain age, they don’t require medicated starter/feed?

Usually by a few weeks they should have their immunity to your local strains

 

[AshG]

Usually by a few weeks they should have their immunity to your local strains

Thank you!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Since you're raising them outside with mama they really don't need medicated at all if you're hoping to boost their immunity through exposure.

But if the main reason you're not letting mama integrate them with the others right now is the medicated feed, the other hens can safely eat that chick feed assuming the "medication" is amprolium for as long as the chicks are on it. It won't affect their eggs.

 

[AshG]

Since you're raising them outside with mama they really don't need medicated at all if you're hoping to boost their immunity through exposure.

But if the main reason you're not letting mama integrate them with the others right now is the medicated feed, the other hens can safely eat that chick feed assuming the "medication" is amprolium for as long as the chicks are on it. It won't affect their eggs.

Yes, the only reason is definitely just because of the feed. And yes « medicated starter » Is amprolium. I was honnestly just a bit paranoid of loosing the chicks to coccidia because they are unvaccinated. My other hens eat layer pellets which I believe can be harmful to the chicks (the reason I took them out of the main coop). I have also read that it can be harmful to older hens to eat amprolium for extended period of time but I can’t find anywhere that says what an extended period of time is. But if I swap everyone to a high protein all flock and offer oyster shells, I should be ok? Thank you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have also read that it can be harmful to older hens to eat amprolium for extended period of time but I can’t find anywhere that says what an extended period of time is.

They won't be on the medicated feed long enough to affect the older hens - assuming you switch to an all flock or unmedicated chick starter or grower after you're done with the current bag, the entire group can safely eat that indefinitely, if you wish.

But mainly the push for reintegrating in the hen with the flock is you want her to protect the chicks during the integration period for you. If she loses interest in them and leaves them (which for some mamas can be as early as 3-4 weeks), then that task falls onto you.

But if I swap everyone to a high protein all flock and offer oyster shells, I should be ok? Thank you!

Yes, that should do fine for the whole group. General rule of thumb is feed the flock whatever the youngest are eating.

 

[AshG]

They won't be on the medicated feed long enough to affect the older hens - assuming you switch to an all flock or unmedicated chick starter or grower after you're done with the current bag, the entire group can safely eat that indefinitely, if you wish.

But mainly the push for reintegrating in the hen with the flock is you want her to protect the chicks during the integration period for you. If she loses interest in them and leaves them (which for some mamas can be as early as 3-4 weeks), then that task falls onto you.

Yes, that should do fine for the whole group. General rule of thumb is feed the flock whatever the youngest are eating.

Thank you very much! I think I will try them all out in the run tomorrow for a little bit and see how things go and go from there.