feeding questions

[momofchicks]

Okay, I am getting my 50 cornish x on Monday. Now, is it a preference thing if I feed medicated feed or is it a health thing? I don't really want my chickens all jacked up on stuff that's my whole purpose for raising meat birds, but if they need meds for the first week or so I'll do it. Also, I bought a 6' round water trouth that may be able to hold all chickens their whole little 8 week life. If I do leave them in there instead of putting them in some tractors we have can I feed them grass clippings? The only reason I wouldn't put them in the tractor is because last year we had a coon that killed several. He kept reaching in and cutting their necks. What's your opinions? Thank you all so much I love this board!

 

[tazcat70]

Well ultimately it is a preference. The medicated basically kills off enough Coccidi that the chick can learn to live with it. I am sure that there are lots of answers to this if you do a search.

 

[jaku]

It's not necessary. I agree with you- if I didn't care about my birds getting meds, I might as well just buy them from the store. Also, any medication or even vaccination is FAR from a magic bullet. They may still die. I say go without. A 6' circle WON'T be big enough for 50 Cornish X's. I put 75 in a 100sq foot tractor, and it's pretty tight. Are you asking if grass clippings will HURT them? No, it won't, but they probably won't eat any, and obviously they'd need much more than that for food, so there really isn't any point.