how important is vaccinations, & should chicks be fed med feed

[OHhappychicks]

Just read a thread concerning antibiotics, and someone made the comment that unvaccinated chicks should be on med feed for coccidiosis. My tsc chicks were not vaccinated and I do not have them on med feed. How important is that? Do they build up an immunity to coccidiosis as they get older? Do you think my chicks should be on med feed? I'm not big on meds, but I did have my older chicks vaccinated at the hatchery and my new chicks coming from a hatchery in a couple of weeks are going to be vaccinated. What have others done? Just curious and want my chicks to be healthy and not contract something serious because I wasn't aware. Thanks for your imput!

 

[TurkeyMountainChickens]

They do build up an immunity as they get older. However, it can take a couple of months, and it would be horrible to have an outbreak of coccidiosis kill all of your chicks before that! I would definitely recommend putting these chicks on medicated feed if they are not vaccinated.

The vaccine is actually a weakened form of the parasite, so the medicate feed kills it and nullifies the vaccine, which is why its NOT recommended for vaccinated birds.

I'd keep them on medicated feed for 8-10 weeks if possible.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

I dont vaccinate, and have never had problems. The feed they are on now is Dumor 20%, which im guessing isnt medicated since it is for ducks geese and chicks.

 

[Kiwibird]

I don't vaccinate, because vaccines only come in commercial quantities here. I don't give medicated feed because I had an uncle who was a vet and was extremely concerned about resistant strains of illnesses developing through the use of preventative medication. If I have an outbreak of coccidiosis, I will then need to research how long it lingers in the soil and alter my practices accordingly.

 

[PunkinPeep]

I stopped using medicated feed because my chicks got cocci anyway. I DO make sure to keep Corid on hand so i can medicate if there is an outbreak.

You can know whether the feed is medicated for coccidiosis by looking for "amprolium" on the label. Just in case there's any confusion, by the way, the antibiotics found in some feeds do not treat or prevent coccidiosis. Usually amprolium is the med used in medicated starter. It is a coccidiostadt (i hope i spelled that correctly).

If you want to read where i blather on

about my personal medicated feed soap box, read this thread over here .

There's also some other views in that thread that might help you to decide how you want to proceed with your chicks.

 

[OHhappychicks]

Thank you punkinpeep!!! That thread was very helpful. I love this site!!