Medicated chick feed...

[CrazyChickens09]

when is it a good idea to switch from the medicated feed to non medicated feed? my chicks are 5 weeks

 

[wombat]

I think 8 weeks is the rule of thumb.

 

[CrazyChickens09]

Thanks Wombat...I will head to the feed store for some more medicated feed

 

[kathyinmo]

I keep mine on Purina medicated starter/grower until they begin to lay, or 20 weeks. Hatchery production birds tend to start laying earlir, and the first batch i had started by 16 weeks, so that's when I started feeding everyonelayena, or stock raiser.

 

[teach1rusl]

I don't know how many chicks you have, but my guess is that you can finish the bag you bought (or are buying) and move on to whatever you will use next from there...that should be several weeks. But, as the other poster suggested, I will continue on the medicated until I make the switch to layer (I use the Purina).

 

[silkiechicken]

I usually feed it up to laying. If it's just amrolium, it won't harm anything if you eat eggs from them. Amprolium just prevents cocci from reproducing in the gut. That said, before you stop the medicated feed, make sure they are exposed to the soil and have played in the dirt, because they need to be exposed to cocci in order to become immune to it.

 

[microbiomom]

That is a great explanation and good guidance. Thank you.