Medicated chick feed

[stacieg]

We purchased the start n grow medicated for our newly hatched chicks. The adult hens (not just the broody one) wind up eating this food also since they are not separated. Is it safe to eat the eggs that are laid by the adult hens if they have eaten the medicated food?

 

[cmom]

We purchased the start n grow medicated for our newly hatched chicks. The adult hens (not just the broody one) wind up eating this food also since they are not separated. Is it safe to eat the eggs that are laid by the adult hens if they have eaten the medicated food?

You are better off to feed an age-appropriate feed to your birds.

Chicks need higher protein when they are growing like weeds the first few weeks. Some areas, starter is available. In some areas, like mine, you can ONLY get starter/grower combination feed, which is 18% protein, is medicated with amprolium, the thiamine blocker that supposedly helps them build immunity to cocci (doesn't always help much, though, in truth), does not contain the excess calcium that chicks do not need, and that is what I feed until they are close to laying age and ready to go into the coop with adults.

Chicks need starter, doesn't matter if medicated or non-medicated, in truth. They can still have cocci, even on the medicated type, trust me.

Layers need layer feed with the slightly lowered protein and the extra calcium for egg production and no amprolium.

I agree, I do separate my broodies and chicks and feed my chicks a medicated Starter/Grower. Coccidiosis is generally an easily treatable disease if caught soon enough. Most of today's chick starter feeds come with coccidiostat in them but this is by no means a failsafe preventitive. There are drugs on the market specifically made to treat cocci. The two most common drugs are Corid and Sulmet. Corid is a 9.5% Amprolium coccidiostat and Sulmet is a 12.5% solution of Sulfamethazine Sodium. Both are good drugs for curing cocci.