Common "myth", that people apparently haven't let go of.

[Talavar]

I actually had an argument with a young girl at our local feed store the other day. She kept repeating something she was told long ago (that is no longer relevant), and was almost to the point that she wouldn't sell me the materials I required. here's what it was about.

I have a few ducks being raised along with my chicks. When I went in to buy my chick starter the other day (medicated starter), the (then) polite girl asked me what kind of chickens I had. I told her, and told her I also had a few ducks I was raising as well. She got a worried look and said "you're not feeding them medicated chick feed are you?" I said "of course, why wouldn't I? Ducks can also get coccidiosis." She immediately became irritated. "you're going to kill your ducks by feeding them medicated feed!"

Now I had read about this before hand, so I was actually prepared for the conversation. In feeds from years ago, the medicated starters had a combination that actually WAS toxic to waterfowl. However almost all of them now use amprolium or bacitracin. Which is harmless to them.

Anyway, I proceeded to tell her this, and explain to her that it's no longer a concern, but she was having none of it. I eventually had to go get another associate to drop the feed down from the mezinine for me. While I commend her on worrying about the well-being of my animals, she needs to update her personal information on what's current.

 

[Weeg]

I have heard that the ducklings will over eat the medication since they eat more, and that is what will hurt them, not the medication. Plus, most chick feeds don't have enough niacin for the ducklings, and they could get niacin deficiencies. I could be wrong, @Miss Lydia @Isaac 0, what do you think?
EDIT: I guess it would depend on what medicated feed you were talking about. Different feeds all use different medications, not all feeds use medications that are safe for ducklings.

 

[Isaac 0]

Read this:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...medicated feed in,all used in medicated feeds.

 

[Isaac 0]

most chick feeds don't have enough niacin for the ducklings, and they could get niacin deficiencies. I could be wrong, @Miss Lydia @Isaac 0, what do you think?

This part, however, is true in most cases.

 

[Talavar]

This part, however, is true in most cases.

I'm well aware of the niacin deficiency in chick food I have that one covered.. I read A LOT! lol

 

[Weeg]

I'm well aware of the niacin deficiency in chick food I have that one covered.. I read A LOT! lol

Cool, I was jus treading another article actually, about the different medications in feeds. Your right it looks like, but some feeds still do have medications that ducklings can't eat I think is what I read, you just have to be careful about what your feeding.

 

[Winter Creek Coop]

I gotta side with the feed store girl on this one. You seem really unreasonable.

Just kidding. She sounds crazy, but not as crazy as the gal we have that volunteers to sex your chicks for you even if you don’t want her to. She molests them and tells you if they are a hen or cock. She’s always wrong. She gave us five “pullets” from the straight run chicks and three were cocks. Haha. Over zealous feed store workers are funny.

 

[Ryguy3684]

Read this:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/feeding-ducklings-medicated-feed-the-myths-and-the-truth.74761/#:~:text=The myth is simple: medicated,to them, they will die.&text=Just saying medicated feed in,all used in medicated feeds.

Thanks for the link. It's an interesting read.

 

[gimmie birdies]

We have many on line people who want to sex your chick in some cases with out your asking and you end up feeling just as violated...plus they want to give you the sorry you chick is a rooster, Debby-Downer news. (I always tell them thanks I was hoping for a rooster. For me that is not a lie, I love'm and like roosters in a brand new breed.)

Most people on here are great though, I guess they mean no harm, they are just blunt about it.

 

[Talavar]

I gotta side with the feed store girl on this one. You seem really unreasonable.

Just kidding. She sounds crazy, but not as crazy as the gal we have that volunteers to sex your chicks for you even if you don’t want her to. She molests them and tells you of the are a hen or cock. She’s always wrong. The gave us five “pullets” from the straight run chicks and three were cocks. Haha. Over zealous feed store workers are funny.

This is hilarious.. lol