There are varying opinions regarding dealing with the concern for coccidiosis. Medicated feed is one option, vaccination is an other option. Then there is a third option which involved no medication, but giving chicks gradual exposure in the brooder to build up their immunity before they get out into the big world. Some studies have been done that show that chicks raised on deep litter that previous groups of chicks/chickens have been raised on have much less incidence of coccidiosis, even though they have been exposed to it from the feces contaminated litter. Also, Amprolium is a Thiamine blocker, which keeps the coccidiosis pathogen from multiplying... but, it also blocks Thiamine in the chick, which can lead to a different set of problems. My approach is to not medicate or vaccinate, give the chicks a clean dry environment, give them a good dose of probiotics in the form of fermented feed, and get them exposed to the soil soon after hatch. I have never had any issues with coccidiosis, though every time I buy feed, I am told at the feed store that my chicks will die if I don't give them medicated feed. Do your homework, research both sides of the discussion, and make a well informed decision. Neither decision is wrong.
