Is it wrong ????

[MarkRainbolt]

I was just curious about how I feed my chickens if it was the wrong way. But to me my method works for me. I have always fed my chickens purina chick starter medicated feed. From day 1 they have been on this feed. And I never had the problems that seem to pop up here on the fourm. So for 6 years they were on this feed with no problems, this included hens and rooster. They also got oyster shells and were free ranging birds. I also never gave my birds treats, I believe that with treats comes some type of pesticides or antibiotics. I have no intention to stop the way I feed. Just curious what people thought.
Mark

 

[KRack]

I was just curious about how I feed my chickens if it was the wrong way. But to me my method works for me. I have always fed my chickens purina chick starter medicated feed. From day 1 they have been on this feed. And I never had the problems that seem to pop up here on the fourm. So for 6 years they were on this feed with no problems, this included hens and rooster. They also got oyster shells and were free ranging birds. I have no intention to stop the way I feed. Just curious what people thought.
Mark

I *think* you could be leaving your chickens low in vitamin B because of the amprolium in most medicated chicken feeds. But someone more experienced will have to chime in!

You'd assume after 6 years if there was an issue, you'd notice.

 

[Isadora]

I don't know about the medicated part, but typically chick feed is fine to use as an alternative to all flock feed. Really the only issue I can see you running into is if your girls needed a little bit more calcium but if you're supplementing oyster shells you're probably golden.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I *think* you could be leaving your chickens low in vitamin B because of the amprolium in most medicated chicken feeds. But someone more experienced will have to chime in!

You'd assume after 6 years if there was an issue, you'd notice.

While Amprolium is a Thiamine Antagonist (Vitamin B1), its not present in feed enough to significantly impair a chicken's needs in an otherwise adequate diet. Coccidia, being much smaller, simpler organisms are much more vulnerable to the disruption caused by Amprolium, which (as you know) does not purport to destroy all Coccidia, merely knock down their numbers some, so the chicken's body can keep their populations under control. Dosing with CORID in the event of outbreak is a much higher concentration, and of course an intended brief timeframe.

 

[MarkRainbolt]

I *think* you could be leaving your chickens low in vitamin B because of the amprolium in most medicated chicken feeds. But someone more experienced will have to chime in!

You'd assume after 6 years if there was an issue, you'd notice.

Never noticed any problems. All the chickens were healthy and always happy.
Mark

 

[Battlepants]

TBH, the only problem I see is the price point to starter. Flockraiser/layer is about 2/3rds the price of starter around here. If this is the path you want to go with your flock though, I see no other issues.

 

[Penpal]

I always used Dumoor chick starter, not medicated because I also had ducklings and they can't have the medicated feed. All did well. I then moved to regular, then to my own mix of what I could find. Corn, oat grouts, sunflower seeds, wheat. They free range so they eat less feed.

Right now I have chicks again and have them on Vita Plus layer. It's too early in the year to get what they need from foraging so this lot is eating more feed then in past years. I also am finding it hard to get oats, wheat, or anything else besides corn.

 

[SourRoses]

And I never had the problems that seem to pop up here on the fourm.

The only issue I notice is, you may be thinking amprolium is a cure-all against multiple "problems".
Its only purpose is fighting Coccidiosis. Adult chickens are less likely to need that help provided they are generally healthy. There are still a lot of other diseases and problems that could impact your flock.

 

[abenardini]

I was just curious about how I feed my chickens if it was the wrong way. But to me my method works for me. I have always fed my chickens purina chick starter medicated feed. From day 1 they have been on this feed. And I never had the problems that seem to pop up here on the fourm. So for 6 years they were on this feed with no problems, this included hens and rooster. They also got oyster shells and were free ranging birds. I also never gave my birds treats, I believe that with treats comes some type of pesticides or antibiotics. I have no intention to stop the way I feed. Just curious what people thought.
Mark

I think the way you are feeding them is fine but just a quick note - the medicated feed does contain pesticides (C14H19N4+ · Cl−, e.g., amprolium hydrochloride).

If you were looking to feed an all natural feed without chemicals, I would not feed medicated feed. Not saying what you are doing is wrong whatsoever in the slightest, just sharing feedback regarding the chemical. I'm a advocate for amprolium when used to treat coccidiosis, but I choose to not give it when it isn't necessary (sort of like giving antibiotics when not necessary - my school of thought is there has to be a level of resistance that is established when certain things are a constant). The chemical is also known to have side-effects associated with weight gain in poultry - which can be a good thing depending on how you look at it.

For treats, you can raise your own mealworms inexpensively or maggots if you have a compost pile - that way you know what is going into the treats.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I keep mine mostly on turkey starter/grower and oyster shell. As long as you're meeting their needs, the only other consideration is how much you're willing to spend