Is it bad to feed hens that don't lay yet egg laying food?

[Impatient]

Personally, I'd not use medicated feed. Amprolium is a thiamine blocker. I have yet to read any literature that convinces me that using a thiamine blocker is not detrimental for the host animal. I am surprised that you are finding that medicated feed is cheaper. In my area, it's about $1 more/bag.

The feed store near me sells a 10lb bag of medicated chick feed for $7 and the non-medicated only comes in 50lb bags for $65. My experience has always been that non-medicated cost more and comes in less size options, at least within driving distance, not counting shipped options. I assume the reason for this is they cater to farmed vs small backyard flocks and farms tend to use medicated because of the larger flock sizes, for a small flock it's not as "necessary".

Anyhow, getting back to the topic, if your birds are within a couple weeks of laying age then feeding layer feed is fine. I personally have never fed layer, I just fed all flock with egg or oyster shell for my layers.

 

[Crs1]

Maybe grain store was the wrong description. It's a farmers co op where they sell seed and feed to farmers. The farmers take their crops there for storage or to sell to market.
Anyway they are cheaper!
But this is the first time I have fed medicated to any of my chicks because of price, I have 39 total chickens so it is getting more expensive plus I have 20 Cornish cross at two weeks old. I was just concerned that it would affect my eggs that I give to family and friends.
They flock has been on it for 10 weeks now. And I read on the article by tiktok, Hope I didn't get that wrong, that fermenting dilutes the medication.? Unfortunately that's not the one I ferment There is always something else to learn!