How long does medicated feed stay in the chickens system.

[nyice]

We have a Broody raising 5 chicks. We started the chicks on medicated feed because that is all we could find at any feed store here. We are three weeks in and we finally found an organic chick starter/grower at a local feed store and just switched them over. Our hens have been seperated from the chicks food except for our broody hen Nilla. So my question is, how long until the medicated feed is out of her system?

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

I do not know, do not feed any medicated feed. Good question.

 

[nyice]

Anyone?
Our Momma hen started to lay eggs about three days ago. We have been tossing her eggs. She has 5 chicks almost 5 weeks old and we took them off medicated about two weeks ago. Just wondering when it will be safe to eat her eggs?

 

[lil'chicken]

I have eaten their eggs while they're on medicated food and nothing happened.

 

[speckledhen]

You don't have to toss the eggs. The medication in the feed is a coccidiostat for helping build immunity to a protozoan in the soil--it blocks thiamine, which the oocycsts feed off of. There is no withdrawal time needed.

 

[nyice]

I thought you weren't supposed to. Don't remember where I read it. I will have to do some more research.

 

[nyice]

Thanks, speckled hen I must have replied the same time as you. I didn't read you post until after I posted. I have tossed three so far, unsure if it was safe. I really didn't think she would start laying so soon. She is still a little protective over the little ones and they are still sleeping under her.

 

[speckledhen]

When folks think of "medication", they think antibiotic. Amprolium is a thiamine blocker to keep that B vitamin from feeding the oocycsts and overwhelming their little systems until they can develop immunity. It is in such small dose that it doesn't even guarantee they won't have cocci. Even feeds that also add bacitracin or other anti-cocci ingredient do it in such teensy amounts, there is no withdrawal needed to eat the eggs.

 

[beachchickie]

Hi, speckled hen. I was curious why they say not to feed to laying hens. I have a mix of pullets-laying not laying. Still feeding the 10 wk pullets the chick starter and the layers are getting laying pellets. I have not been able to find flock finisher in my area. It is impossible to keep them from each others food. I am leaving town with my parents in charge. Will it hurt them to eat each others food for a week?

 

[ShaggysGirl]

When I have mixed ages I feed kent multi flock once the chicks are off their starter. When we don't have young ones I feed mulit flock mixed with layer pellets. I mix them because the multi flock has a higher protein and the layer has the calcium. They always have a bucket of oyster shell too.