different medications in feed

[stoneeater]

My local feed store is switching feed suppliers. I had been giving my chickens the medicated feed that contains the ampro something. It's made by FRM. They're switching to Seminole brand feed and it appears to contain 2 medicines. Ampro and something that begins with a "B". Is this going to mess with my chickens or will they not even notice.

 

[stoneeater]

Anyone know?

 

[Clay Mudd]

The "B" is probably Bacitracin (BMD), an antibiotic often added to feed as a preventative and to improve feed conversion. Personally, I dislike the needless use of antibiotics, but it won't actually hurt the chicks. How old are they?


http://www.drugs.com/vet/bmd-30.html

 

[hinkjc]

If they're over 6 weeks old, I would see if your feed store carries a grower ration. Grower feed should not contain the meds. Switching feeds can upset their tummy and feed consumption. I would suggest you get your new feed and start blending it in slowly, so they start adjusting to it.

 

[stoneeater]

That was my concern, getting upset stomachs from the new med. Their ages range from 12 weeks down to about 7 weeks. The Aussies are the youngest and they've been outside for about 3 weeks now. I've asked about just straight grower unmedicated feed and the feedstore swears that it doesn't exist. You go from chick starter to to layer. Nothing in between. I have to make a 20 mile roundtrip today to get them the same feed they're used to. At least I'll be supporting the store that hosts the local monthly swap.

 

[ranchhand]

You might want to call around or check online for a TSC and other feed store in your area. I used to go to the small, local feed store and when they said something didn't exist, TSC a few miles away had the non-existent product.

hinkjc is correct, start out blending feeds whenever you switch, makes it much easier for the chickens.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Unwarranted and indiscriminate use of ant-biotics is a bad practice, both in animal husbandry and the human population, imho.

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
Most feed Co.'s will use one of two types of medications in there chick starter as a active ingredient in there medicated poultry feed one type is,
Amprolium which goes by the trade names Corid and Amprovine, Amprolium, Amprol, Anticoccid and is a thiamine analog, competitively inhibits the active transport of thiamine (B1).
The second type of medication used is,
Lasalocid goes by the trade name Bovatec. Bovatec (lasalocid) is a coccidiocide that kills coccidia. It is an ionophore that moves potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium into the cell causing the cell to burst. Bovatec works primarily on a single developmental stage of coccidia, providing a more narrow range of action than Deccox.

Edited to post -
I looked at FRM feed and this is what I found,

FRM CHICK STARTER CRUMBLES MEDICATED
A complete feed, high energy ration, medicated to help prevent Coccidiosis in chickens and turkeys. Feed as the sole ration.
Active Drug Ingredient: Amprolium..........0.0125%
FRM START 'N' GROW CRUMBLES MEDICATED
A complete feed medicated to prevent Coccidiosis in chicks and pullets. Feed as the sole ration.
Active Drug Ingredient: Amprolium...... 0.0125%
FRM 15% GROWER CRUMBLES MEDICATED
A high energy ration, complete feed medicated with Bacitracin to aid in growth and feed conversation for growing and finishing chickens.
ACTIVE DRUG INGREDIENT: Bacitracin..... 25 gm/ton




Chris

 

[stoneeater]

Just did my long journey in search of chick starter. It's actually 47 miles round trip.
Figured I would go to TSC while I was out that way. That would be a 70 mile round trip. They do have the grower but only in 50 lb. bags of Purina.
It's a good thing that I really love my chickens.