Sponsored Post Hatching the Facts on Medicated Chick Starter Feeds for Layers

[rarebear]

The problem is that Purina has/or had a warm and fuzzy reputation but the reality versus their marketing is that they make horribly inferior pet foods. I was in the culinary field for 25 years and look at everything that my pets eat critically. Thankfully with the advent of the internet consumers can make informed and intelligent decisions regarding what they feed their dogs, cats and chickens. I wouldn't touch Purina if it were free. I feed organic grains to my flock of 16 mixed breed chickens. I also gave my hatchlings only organic grains from day one. My flock has never been ill yet a friend that has fed Nutrena has had many health issues. For me feeding Purina is like feeding my children all Kraft processed foods.

 

[rarebear]

I could give my children penicillin every day. Just as insurance. If they were exposed to dangerous bacteria and more. But the only thing I would do with this, would be to destroy their immune system, and make them forever dependent on medication.

Healthy food, clean water, fresh air, sunshine, space and a little cleaning if space is limited - is all they need. And in the long run, selection that is not only based on what we find beautiful and typical of stand

AMEN!

 

[rarebear]

I am jumping in here. I strongly believe that Purina is the equivalent to Kraft processed human foods. Their other pet foods are so poorly rated why would they have a sudden interest in chickens food? Just like humnas shoud not eat Kraft Mac and Cheese or Campbell's Soups or any of that boxed, bagged or froze glop ....chickens should not eat the processed foods. They need grains and other nutrients. Purina simply markets itself but cannot produce a quality product. Medicated feed is a marketing tool. I think they state on their medicated chick feed that the chicks should be on it till they are 4 months? Funny.

 

[rarebear]

Can you cite why you believe this is true? In fact it is quite the opposite of this. The company who makes my chicken feed (Purina) absolutely has an interest in keeping my chickens healthy because I'll buy a lot less food if all my chickens die.

Hi again Handsome Ryan....just check out the ratings on Purina dog foods...they make some of the worst foods on the market. www.dogfoodadvisor.com

Why would they make chicken food any better...they do not..it's all marketing versus reality.

 

[noahsmom]

What about those of us who have no other choice but feed like purina or southern states. This is me and I have a bag of medicated feed made by purina in my closet. I have no other choice but this or ss feed and certainly if I had a better choice I would choose it!! I can't afford to order and no places close enough I can drive. I wouldn't and have never touched purina dog food, we use taste of the wild grain free dog food for our dogs and the results are astounding compared to cheaper food!

But back to topic...
Our yard stays wet and while we are working on better drainage for the coop area I still feel for us maybe medicated is best at least for the first few weeks. However, I try to do everything all natural and organic as far as the rest of my life is concerned! I make my own shampoos, conditioners, laundry detergent use natural soaps, eat as healthy as we can etc.,.. I would LOVE to have an organic non gmo soy free food for my chickens but this just isn't possible!

 

[jyurina]

What about those of us who have no other choice but feed like purina or southern states. This is me and I have a bag of medicated feed made by purina in my closet. I have no other choice but this or ss feed and certainly if I had a better choice I would choose it!! I can't afford to order and no places close enough I can drive. I wouldn't and have never touched purina dog food, we use taste of the wild grain free dog food for our dogs and the results are astounding compared to cheaper food!

But back to topic...
Our yard stays wet and while we are working on better drainage for the coop area I still feel for us maybe medicated is best at least for the first few weeks. However, I try to do everything all natural and organic as far as the rest of my life is concerned! I make my own shampoos, conditioners, laundry detergent use natural soaps, eat as healthy as we can etc.,.. I would LOVE to have an organic non gmo soy free food for my chickens but this just isn't possible!

Well the more natural way is to avoid the medicated feed and supplement them with probiotics to guard against the gut issues. My chickens free range throughout my backyard with my dogs and have never had an issue. No medicated feed. I do use the Nutrena Nature Wise with the probiotics in it as well as adding unpastuerized apple cider vinegar in their water. They actually eat very little of the store bought feed since they range all day. You gotta just make the best choice you can based on your situation and not worry too much about it.

 

[Shralper]

Great article thanks! I also really appreciated the comments. Very good discussion.

 

[noahsmom]

Well the more natural way is to avoid the medicated feed and supplement them with probiotics to guard against the gut issues. My chickens free range throughout my backyard with my dogs and have never had an issue. No medicated feed. I do use the Nutrena Nature Wise with the probiotics in it as well as adding unpastuerized apple cider vinegar in their water. They actually eat very little of the store bought feed since they range all day. You gotta just make the best choice you can based on your situation and not worry too much about it.

hat's very interesting.
Am I going about the right logical thinking that purina may be a little better than a feed store feed or ss? I do believe I have access to dumor too. If I had availability and my own money I wld love to mix my own.
That's great you can free range, unfortunately we cannot we have a large area but not all is fenced and I couldn't handle my chickens being picked off either. I never realized how many hawks and buzzards we had until my SO pointed it out.

 

[Dee Dee 2]

OH GREAT ! I just bought 4 bags of Purina Layena feed ~ it was on sale. Chickens seem to be doing fine though ~ crossing fingers. When this is gone ~ no more ! I do not like to use any more chemicals with my animals than absolutely necessary. Do not worm willy nilly. Got a microscope off e-bay and fecasol off Internet. Check poop for parasites to see if worming is necessary. Over worming has caused parasite resistance in equine in a number of southern states to ivermectin.

I DO feed baby chicks med. feed. If I had a child I would vac. for childhood diseases, so why wouldn't I want my chicks to have the same resistance to disease with medicated feed. It is not something you feed "forever". After a year of trying EVERYTHING to get rid of fleas I finally broke down and put my dogs on Trifexis - one dog, and the other on Comfortis. Do not really like putting poisons in my animals but I like the fleas even less. It is the only thing I found that works and I think it is better than the topical oils you put down their back. It didn't work anyway. The dogs are happier and so am I. I think the answer to all the chemicals and poisons is MODERATION,

and if you can find something natural that works ~ USE IT.
A lot of folks use Seven Dust which is one of the VERY WORSE

chemicals you can use. When it breathed it turns to a jelly like substance in the lungs and stays there. Caution should be used with D.E. also. THINK about it.

It is tiny SHARP micro. organisms. What do you think they do when they are breathed? When all else fails read the directions ! (Or do it first.) Thanks to everyone for their post ~ sharing info. That is what makes B.Y.C. so GREAT !

 

[Dee Dee 2]

Did it again.

Wrote a post re: medicated feed and etc. Not awake, need more coffee.

It's on page 3 if anyone wants to read it. Thanks !