Can I trust it?

[kikidee]

I went to my local feed store and I asked for starter mash for my ducks. I asked if it was unmedicated and they said they didn't know, but it was the only one they had and that everyone who came used it. I bought it, but I'm afraid to feed it to my ducklings now (they aren't born yet, 5 days till hatch date). So should I use it? Is there some say to figure out if it is medicated or not? It just came in a big brown bag that says Starter Mash haha, this place is a little family owned store.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I assume if it were medicated, it would be medicated with the same stuff chick starter is medicated with. Just look on the ingredients list for Amprolium.

 

[kikidee]

Quote:
Damn... I don't want it to be medicated..

And it doesn't have an ingredients list its just a paper bag!!

 

[ranchhand]

Ask to see the big bag they are breaking down into little bags. I ran into this same situation many years ago, I had to really persist politely before I finally found the one person who knew which bag it came from.

Look around for a feed store that has the 50 lb. bags for sale, it will save you money in the long run. AND there will be a tag sewn into the bottom seam that lists the ingredients.

Hope you have a great hatch!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
Exactly!

 

[stargazingmommy]

My ducks have eaten medicated chick feed since I got them at 2 wks old.

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. The amprollium in the Starter or Starter/Grower helps in the chicks development in their resistance to cocci. It is sulfa based. There is only a problem eating the eggs layed by the birds that have had the medicated feed when they start to lay if you have any allergies to Sulfa.

 

[kikidee]

idk so many people have told me that medicated is only given to ducks and chickens used for meat, mine are for pets.

 

[ragerkid2]

Quote:
You dont have to use it. But its a good thing to use it.but its a good choice to. it helps build up protection from cocci and other things. its not like the birds know its medicated. They wont care. I would say give it to them.

 

[ragerkid2]

oh and for the meat bird part, its used for them because if a factory looses 500 meat birds to cocci, it would be devastating to them