for those that use medicated feed....

[NickyPick]

How long? I'm about through with the first bag. Should I continue with the medicated feed or switch them to a non-medicated chick feed? My chicks are 4 weeks old today.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

You could just use it right on until it's time to switch over to layer ration.

But if that makes you uncomfortable then make the change between eight to ten weeks.

 

[KIDDSBANTAMS]

I have never used medicated after the first bag, once they are a few weeks old I switch to regular starter crumbles. I think the first couple of weeks is what you are concerned about.

 

[babyrnlc]

I switched when mine ran out around 3 weeks

 

[Fred's Hens]

For me, it would depend on whether they've had any exposure to soil, for any length of time, yet.
Typically, chicks spend their first 4 weeks in isolation in their sanitized brooder.
The purpose of the meds is to prevent their immunity being overwhelmed when exposed to dirt borne cells or cysts.

Frankly, as they are now heading out of the brooder to a more of a "grow out" pen or yard time, now would be the time I'd actually use the medicated feed. If they went through a bag in 4 weeks, they'll likely go through another in two week and a half weeks, as they'll be eating more. If you felt it worthwhile before, I'd encourage one more bag.

 

[Katy]

Fred's Hens :

For me, it would depend on whether they've had any exposure to soil, for any length of time, yet.
Typically, chicks spend their first 4 weeks in isolation in their sanitized brooder.
The purpose of the meds is to prevent their immunity being overwhelmed when exposed to dirt borne cells or cysts.

Frankly, as they are now heading out of the brooder to a more of a "grow out" pen or yard time, now would be the time I'd actually use the medicated feed. If they went through a bag in 4 weeks, they'll likely go through another in two week and a half weeks, as they'll be eating more. If you felt it worthwhile before, I'd encourage one more bag.

X2​

 

[deerman]

chicken ...i feed until 8 weeks, or until they have been on the ground for a few weeks

turkey and peafowl 12 weeks or untill they have been on the ground for a few weeks,


but 8weeks min and 12weeks min

 

[N&MSchroeder]

I bought some "developer" feed from my feed store. I was told this is the transition feed between starter and layer pellets, but I am not sure what it is since I haven't began using it.

 

[NickyPick]

Ok. Thanks. Off to TSC I go, then.

They've been outside a couple of times, about an hour or 2 each, but not where their pen is going to be. What's really weird(?) is that within 10 minutes of my taking them outside, I hear an owl hooting. I haven't heard owls around this property since the early 80's!! I've missed them, but now it's kinda scary thinking that the chick's peeping is what brought this fella around!

 

[looptloop]

I know what you mean about the owl. I never really noticed how many birds of prey we had around here until I got my chicks last year. Now I think everyone wants to eat them!