Medicated and non - medicated chick starter. Whats the differents???

[Chris09]

Quote:
Coccidiosis is one of the most common and economically important diseases of chickens worldwide and you can get Coccidiosis just as easy in a small flock as you can with a large flock.

Chris

I would also like to add to my last post that I don't use a Medicated feed BUT I use a Coccidiostat in there water. ( CORID (amprolium) )
The reason I prefer doing this is that I feed a Starter/ Grower to all my birds including the layers and I don't want layers eating the medicated feed.

Chris

 

[gritsar]

I may be mistaken, I have read that coccidiosis is more of an issue in places with wet springs, humid weather. I wouldn't think of raising a flock of chicks around here without the medicated.

 

[MrsChickendad]

At a poultry seminar this spring at Michigan State University, the docs suggested that medicated was best for small (non-commercial) flocks, but you need to wean them off of it gradually so the immunity they have started to build keeps going. If you just switch them instantly to non-medicated, they don't get a chance to develop a natural immunity.

So we start ours by replacing 1/4 of the medicated with non-med for a week. Next week is 1/2, etc. etc. No cocci so far this year and we have a ton of babies. Just hope I don't jinx myself by saying that!

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
OT - Ha! Ha! Like me, afraid to say this or that won't happen. Superstitious! Do you throw spilled salt over your shoulder too?

 

[MomtoSyd&Emma]

what do you when you have a broody with chicks then? Should you feed medicated or NON medicated? I have been feeding our 5 chicks and broody Momma NON medicated, they are all inside in a huge brooder!?!?!?!?

IF I switch them to medicated, how long should we wait to eat any eggs from her? I am not sure I will know which hen she is once she is in with my other hens, let alone be able to tell her egg from any others lol

 

[MeettheFlockers]

MomtoSyd&Emma :

what do you when you have a broody with chicks then? Should you feed medicated or NON medicated? I have been feeding our 5 chicks and broody Momma NON medicated, they are all inside in a huge brooder!?!?!?!?

Your chicks will most likely naturally get healthy exposure to cocci from ingesting their mom's droppings.

I'm a huge advocate for natural, no pesticides, hugs for everyone, etc BUT on this issue I would never, ever feed anything but medicated to chicks in a brooder. No matter how clean your brooder is, your chicks can get it. In my opinion it is best to protect them while they are young and fragile and wait until they are heartier before taking them off of medicated chick feed and exposing them to cocci. In older chickens....a mild coccidiosis infection is not very harmful and is actually necessary to create immunity in the future laying hen, if she is to live on the floor.

I have unfortunately witnessed the wrath of this very common parasite and seen it kill an entire flock of younger chicks in the blink of an eye. Cocci is nasty and causes horrible intestinal distress and suffering. As the Cocci multiplies in the gut, it damages it, interfering with digestion. This is complicated by the fact that each time an egg ruptures back into the bowel from the lining, it causes a microscopic 'pin prick', allowing the bird's blood, electrolytes and protein to be lost.​