Can you switch from medicated feed to non-medicated?

[akchick76]

My chicks are 4-5 weeks old and we are on our second bag of Nutrena medicated. The local feed store said that I could change to non-medicated if I wanted to save money. Will this upset their stomachs? Will this be ok or should I wait until I start their layer feed? What age is that?

 

[cameronfarm]

It will be fine, in the future I personally avoid medicated feed. Properly cared for animals should only receive medication to treat illness.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Assuming the medication is for coccidosis. Some people prefer to take no chances, as they've had issues with the soil on their place in the past. Some people prefer to never feed amprollium chick feed and have no coccidosis incidents. Since this is spread by wild birds as well, they understand the gamble or risk.

Others treat with corid when and if symptoms appear. There are multiple approaches to the issue.

As for when to feed Layer feed, many people never do. Layer is merely a 16% protein, grower type feed with an additional 1 or 2 percent higher calcium, something birds don't need and is potentially harmful to a bird not expelling calcium through egg laying. Others prefer the pricing of Layer, perhaps, and also like the convenience of having the calcium supplement supplied within the Layer feed rather than offering oyster shells or calcium carbonate on the side.

Once again, there are options and differences in people's approach to things.

 

[Eggcessive]

You can change to unmedicated any time, but at my feed store it wouldn't save anything. A 6-7 week old should be on chick starter/grower which is 20% protein whether you choose the medicated or non-medicated. Layer feed is 16% and you shouldn't feed it until your hens are close to laying after 16 weeks of age because it has too much calcium for chicks.