Fed the wrong chick starter for weeks...now what??

[DraftXJumper]

I *meant* to feed my chicks non-medicated feed. I stupidly thought the feed I've been using for 7 weeks was non-medicated, but found out today it wasn't. I really thought I was doing a great job of slowly introducing my girls to the outside elements, and they're happy girls right now living in their new coop and run. If I want to switch over to non-medicated feed, how should I do it? Will it put them at risk for coccidiosis? I'm so mad at myself right now. I know it's a personal choice and there isn't anything inherently wrong with medicated feed, it's just not what I had wanted for myself. Should I just wait until they're on layer feed to switch? Gah!!!

 

[CapricornFarm]

Any time you switch feed you want to do it gradually, so mix the two together and then slowly decrease the proportion of the one you are discontinuing. They should be fine with it.

 

[lazy gardener]

Relax. I'm in the non medicated camp as well! How long have they been in their coop and run? What is your weather like? Is it fairly dry? Did you give them access to any soil from your yard while they were in the brooder? Are you finishing up the current bag of medicated feed? How much is left?

 

[DraftXJumper]

Relax. I'm in the non medicated camp as well! How long have they been in their coop and run? What is your weather like? Is it fairly dry? Did you give them access to any soil from your yard while they were in the brooder? Are you finishing up the current bag of medicated feed? How much is left?

I'm on all kinds of meds that are supposed to help me relax, but they can't work miracles
They have been in their coop/run for just a couple of days. Our weather has been wet this spring, but dryer lately. The area they're in is very grassy and has no mud. I started them outside at about week 3. They went out in the backyard (supervised) for a short while, then longer each day until they would be out all day around week 5. I have a whole bag left, so there is enough to transition slowly. I'm not concerned as much with the wasted money as I am with feeding something I hadn't wanted to feed. I have an Animal Science degree from the University of Wisconsin, so I'm mad at myself for not doing a more thorough job researching!

 

[lazy gardener]

Can you return the other bag? As for the risk of coccidiosis at this stage, I'd be watchful, but not at all concerned.

 

[Chickassan]

The chicks will probably thank you for non medicated feed mine went nuts over it.I didn't want to give it either but gave in to my husband's harping even though I shouldn't have. The chicks obviously didn't like the taste as seen by their reaction to something different. I gave them access to dirt from their first week even some from the adults coop so they toughened up properly since I was hoping to avoid that darn feed completely. Fingers crossed no problems as of yet. Probably bad but i didn't gradually switch we all just went cold turkey.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I *meant* to feed my chicks non-medicated feed. I stupidly thought the feed I've been using for 7 weeks was non-medicated, but found out today it wasn't. I really thought I was doing a great job of slowly introducing my girls to the outside elements, and they're happy girls right now living in their new coop and run. If I want to switch over to non-medicated feed, how should I do it? Will it put them at risk for coccidiosis? I'm so mad at myself right now. I know it's a personal choice and there isn't anything inherently wrong with medicated feed, it's just not what I had wanted for myself. Should I just wait until they're on layer feed to switch? Gah!!!

If the medicated feed has Amprolium. It's a vitamin B1 blocker, it slows down the parasites multiplying. And I read it's not effective after 10 weeks. So I would continue to feed till 10 weeks and then switch to non medicated if you want. GC

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I *meant* to feed my chicks non-medicated feed. I stupidly thought the feed I've been using for 7 weeks was non-medicated, but found out today it wasn't. I really thought I was doing a great job of slowly introducing my girls to the outside elements, and they're happy girls right now living in their new coop and run. If I want to switch over to non-medicated feed, how should I do it? Will it put them at risk for coccidiosis? I'm so mad at myself right now. I know it's a personal choice and there isn't anything inherently wrong with medicated feed, it's just not what I had wanted for myself. Should I just wait until they're on layer feed to switch? Gah!!!

Nothing in this life is 100% sure but you would have put your chicks at more danger from dying from internal parasites if you HAD fed them the the NON-MEDICATED feed. The "MEDICINE" in medicated chick feed is similar if not identical to the Niacin that by law is used to fortify every ounce of wheat flour, loaf bread, crackers, or other baked goods sold in this country. Another word for Niacin is vitamin B3. Now stop beating yourself up and keep that medicated chick feed flowing.

 

[Nikasha]

chickengeorgeto - if you are in the USA, I think you are mistaken about flour fortification being required by law. If a flour is enriched there are requirements, including Niacin (See 21CFR137.165) - however, it is not a requirement that flour be enriched. In fact, I go out of my way to buy unenriched flour (King Arthur is my go-to), because many of the preservatives used in the added vitamins (not required to be labeled) are not allowed on my son's diet.