I have a dilema... how long can i keep feed??

[nolable88]

I was thinking that it may be a good idea what if you use medicated starter for the first two weeks or so and then switch to non medicated once they look healthy and maybe untill they are fully feathered?

Hmmm...

 

[CountryPantry]

We have always used medicated chick starter for the first 6 to 8 weeks of their lifes. My grandfather was a vet and this was his practice to do it this way. His reasoning was to prevent coccidiousus (sP) The antiboitic in medicated feed isn't strong or a type that they will build an immunity too. Medicated feed won't prevent any other type of disease. I did notice that the one time that I couldn't get medicated feed for some chicks we were starting that they didn't seem to be as strong as the ones we started on medicated feed. Thank goodness they were only on it for 3 weeks, then changed to medicated.

I am sticking to Granddad's way of doing things, they worked well for him and have worked for me for over 30 years.

 

[mboreham1]

ok, well 30 years of experience might just sway me (25 years old, with 6 months suffering with chickenlovingitis!) to make a quick trip back to the feed store for some medicated, i didnt want to hijack this thread too much so i started another medicated vs unmedicated thread, i would love to learn more of the science behind it. I have started mine on unmedicated, i assume it is ok to switch? If so do i need to blend the two feeds together first or can i just change the whole lot?

Country pantry, do you suppliment your chicks diet with treats, if so what and what age? I would love to give them a worm or 3 to eat just dont want to introduce too early.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
The main disease medicated feed is designed to combat is called 'coccidiosis.' This is caused by parasitic protozoan flukes that live in the intestines of chickens and alarmingly, the coccidia parasites are found everywhere - wild birds, other livestock, etc. So it is always likely that the poultry will be exposed to it quite often. However, if the immune system is working properly a resistance to the parasite should develop. Indeed it is arguable that low levels of exposure to the parasite are beneficial, by allowing the immune system to build an immunity.

Symptoms can vary depending on how serious the infection is. Most poultry with coccidiosis are, in fact, asymptomatic. In mild infestations, it may be that growth and weight of the birds are diminished. Typically any birds suffering from the infection of the coccidia parasites will be shabby looking and will tend to sit around, not moving around much.

Severe, unchecked infections can cause some rather nasty symptoms, the main one being rather frightening diarrhoea. This will probably have blood in it and may be yellow and frothy in extreme cases. In young birds and those birds that have compromised immune systems, necrotic enteritis (premature cell death within still living tissue) and eventual death results from the coccidiosis infection

The parasites are transmitted through contact with and ingestion of infected feces, found most often within the soil. Since we insist on crowding chickens into the same spaces, season after season, these flukes build up in the environment, unseen. As chickens go about their everyday business of ingesting insects, little "squirmy things" and small crop stones, they also take in some of their own manure or that of other animals.

Once the flukes develop and "set up shop" in the chicken, their eggs are released through the infected birds' droppings, and the cycle is repeated.

The best way to deal with the problem of coccidiosis is by making sure that good management practices are in place. This can include, for example, making sure that the water and bedding of the poultry are clean. The birds should also be fed and watered sufficiently so that they are discouraged from picking at the ground.... which sounds good in theory but is near impossible in practice.
Providing them with plenty of sunlight is also helpful.

There is also chemical help in the form of coccidiostats in the feed as well as adding probiotics to the drinking water. The most common treatment for coccidia is sulphonamides. This is what is added to chick starter and grower to get them through the trying first 8 weeks. After that, the medication is reduced until their immune systems develop.

 

[mboreham1]

Thank you so much, a really educated answer and exactly what i was looking for. I appreciate the management tips as well as the meat behind the bones for the medicated feed. I am off to the feed store to get some!

 

[nolable88]

Perfect! Now i have the feed in a plastic bin with a lid and will be putting it into the coldest room in the house, It should be fine until lets say April? It will depend on when/where i decide to get my chicks from....

Thank you all for the quick and knowledgeable responses. Even others questions really helped get a more concrete understanding about this. Thanks again!