feeding layer to chicks

[rmelvin23]

I have fed my birds layer from the time I got them at 2 days old to present 16 weeks old because they were vaccinated and the medicated food would have canceled out their vaccinations and would have made them nonorganic. I have not noticed any problems with their growth. Does anyone know if this will delay egg production? The guy at my feed store said it would be fine. Thanks.

 

[RendonRoo]

They extra calcium in layer feed can be harmful to young chicks. Can't remember what organ but it can be damaged. I wouldn't feed layer until at least 16 weeks.

 

[Ridgerunner]

This article is a good discussion on feeding chickens. Maybe since it is an Oregon State article it will carry more weight that what I say or a guy at the feed store says.

Oregon State Feeding Chickens
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/html/pnw/pnw477/#anchor1132074

A main difference in the feeds for different ages is the protein content. The starter, grower, and layer all have different formulations based on what is most efficient for the chickens at that stage of their development. Another difference in layer is that the layer mix has enhanced calcium, needed for egg shell production. Excess calcium can (not absolutely definitely that it will, but it can) damage internal organs on growing chicks. It may shorten their life expectancy or decrease thier laying efficiency. It would be long term damage so you probably will never know.

Feeding layer instead of starter and grower may delay egg production since they did not get the nutrients in the levels of their development that would have been most efficient. Not that it will, but it may. And the hens may lay less frequently, again because they did not develop most efficiently. In a small flock, you probably won't notice the difference. In a commercial operation with over 10,000 hens in one house, a small change in the laying rate can be significant.

I don't know what your vaccinations were for. Probably Marek's, possibly fowl pox, or maybe something else. The "medication" in medicated feed is not an antibiotic if it is called Amprol, Amprolium, or some derivative of this product. This is the active ingredient in most medicated feed. It does not cancel out any vaccinations. It limits the reproduction in the digestive system of the chicken of the protazoa that cause cocci. It does not kill the protazoa, it merely limits the number through reduced reproduction. It achieves this by blocking a vitamin the protazoa needs for reproduction. I don't know where Amprol falls in relation to "organic". With all due respect to those who are trying to go organic, and I do respect your personal choice, I personally don't care so I have never bothered to learn. I'm confident others on this forum will be able to respond to that if they see this thread.

 

[rmelvin23]

I ordered them vaccinated from McMurray hatchery. They told me that any medicated feed would nullify their vaccinations. I can not remember exactly what it was for. I guess that it will be a wait and see on what goes wrong, if anything.

 

[rmelvin23]

I read the article. Only it does not mention if your birds are vaccinated on the mortality issue. I do not think it really set anything straight on the issue, but thank you. I love to find new sources on chickens to research into. I wonder where the central florida chicken info is?

 

[jofos]

ok so we establish that it's not good to feed chicks layer, but what about adult birds eat starter? I have 4 hens still with their chicks and I give them starter. Also there were 7 other hens that were fed starter while they were with their chicks. I kept the hens with their chicks until the chicks were 2 or 3 weeks old.

 

[chick2good4u]

Simple enough, just tell the hens to eat the layer feed and the chicks to eat the starter!

 

[Cindy in PA]

Feed nonmedicated starter if they were vaccinated for cocci.

 

[rmelvin23]

I could not find a local source for nonmedicated starter. My feed store has no interest in ordering it for me because I am the only one to ever ask for it. I will try to find a source before I order any more babies.