Can poults be raised on the medicated food for chicks?

[natyvidal]

Hi! Thank you for your answers ahead of time.

I am in the process of acquiring 5 poults. They are meant to be thanksgiving dinner this year for our family and some friends. I also acquired two more Rhode Island Reds chicks from the same place where I got my other chicks that are laying now. Twenty one of them and they all survived. Fed them medicated crumbles and change them, at the appropriate age, to layer feed non medicated and they are all thriving, they also free range. Would like to raise the two chicks and 5 poults together to keep things simple. I only have one brooder. The two chicks and the 5 poults are about the same age. My question is...Can I feed them all the medicated food for chicks and/or poults and later take them of the medicated food when they are old enough to let them free range on the property?
Thank you.
Natalia

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Poults should be fed a gamebird starter with 28% protein for the first 4 weeks, than stepped down from that to a 20%, than the 18%.

The one time I raised poults with chicks for the whole time the turkeys killed a rooster at 3-4 months old. I no longer brood them together past a few weeks so the turkeys don't bond to the chicks.

Are your poults heritage or broad breasted?

 

[pennyJo1960]

I have never used or encouraged medicated food why give meds if not ill ? just my humble opinion

 

[natyvidal]

The poults are the Narragansett breed. I am planning to keep them separate once they do not need to stay in the brooder. When they are fully feathered.
What will happen if I feed the two chicks the poults food?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The chicks will do okay on the gamebird starter. Step down in protein at 4-6 weeks to 18-20% or whenever you use up the bag.

Heritage varieties can take more than 7-8 months or more before reaching a decent eating size. Yours may be puny by thanksgiving. Don't invite a lot of people.

 

[R2elk]

Hi! Thank you for your answers ahead of time.

I am in the process of acquiring 5 poults. They are meant to be thanksgiving dinner this year for our family and some friends. I also acquired two more Rhode Island Reds chicks from the same place where I got my other chicks that are laying now. Twenty one of them and they all survived. Fed them medicated crumbles and change them, at the appropriate age, to layer feed non medicated and they are all thriving, they also free range. Would like to raise the two chicks and 5 poults together to keep things simple. I only have one brooder. The two chicks and the 5 poults are about the same age. My question is...Can I feed them all the medicated food for chicks and/or poults and later take them of the medicated food when they are old enough to let them free range on the property?
Thank you.
Natalia

As already stated, poults need a higher protein feed than chicks can get by on. But it isn't just about the protein. Chick starter does not contain the needed levels of lysine, methionine, and niacin that will be found in a proper turkey or gamebird starter. The lack of sufficient amounts of these nutrients can lead to perosis causing leg problems.

When I raise chicks and poults together, they all get the turkey starter. The chicks do fine on turkey starter. They come out healthier than chicks that are raised on poor quality chick starter.

I do not recommend raising poults with chicks because turkeys imprint very easily. Imprinting removes their ability to understand that chickens are not turkeys and can lead to all kinds of problems especially when the poults reach their teenage stage.

 

[natyvidal]

Thank you for your answers, I will only keep them together for the short time they need to be in the brooder. Afterwards they will be completely separate. I have a big area where they will be free ranging. Doubt they will imprinting with my set up. Again thank you.

 

[R2elk]

Thank you for your answers, I will only keep them together for the short time they need to be in the brooder. Afterwards they will be completely separate. I have a big area where they will be free ranging. Doubt they will imprinting with my set up. Again thank you.

They will be imprinted before you have them out of the brooder.

 

[natyvidal]

That fast? Ok. Thank you. I’ll have to re think my plans.