Can you start feeding medicated at 2 weeks?

[Jeffross1968]

Bought a few chicks from someone today who was not feeding medicated. He stated he was mixing "red cell" into their water instead. Can I begin feeding medicated feed at this stage?

 

[garbagePaw]

I was instructed to feed medicated for the first few months. We got 5 chicks (days old) and I was told that I should get a large bag of medicated feed and when that was out, we could switch to regular with oyster shells and/or grit. I'm not sure what "red cell" is but I also picked up a vitamin/electrolyte mix to put in their water for a couple of weeks. It turns kind of orangey red. Could this be what you were told?

 

[RonC]

I hope so. Switched my six week olds over about a week ago and haven't noticed any change. No ill effects.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Sure you can. Most "medicated" feed merely has amprollium, a blocker, which allows the chicks to get traction on their immune system, so as not to be overwhelmed with cocci. Check the label, but most folks feed the medicated anywhere from 4 -16 weeks, depending on their own preference.

 

[Jeffross1968]

Thank you!