Medicated Chick Food

[hoffmanslabs5]

Just wondering what everyones thoughts are on medicated chick food. I have always fed a starter non medicated feed to my chicks. I just purchased some chicks from a breeder and she recommend I feed medicated feed.

 

[Fred's Hens]

It is a choice, isn't it.

Some folks, with cocci infested, warm, damp soils almost have no choice. Others, with different soil and lower infestation have less exposure and it is manageable. The way coccidosis can sweep through a bunch of young birds is pretty intimidating. Once one's young flock gets wiped out by it, that owner's feeling can be pretty strong in favor of the prevention.

 

[real_redhead]

Agree with Fred's Hens, I never fed medicated feed and wish I had after the last batch of chicks, they got cocci but I caught it in time and only lost 1 but it was horrible, especially knowing that had I used medicated feed it might not have happened, Going forward I will start on medicated feed. Just my 2 cents! Good luck

 

[Ridgerunner]

Did you ask the breeder why she recommended it? Maybe she knows something special about them.

I'll start this with a bit of information. You need to know what the "medicated" is in medicated feed. For practically every major supplier of feed for a flock that will become a laying flock, that is Amprolium. I haven't seen it myself but people I trust in this forum have posted that "medicated" feed meant for broilers can contain other things as well as Amprolium. So all I am going to say pertains to medicated feed medicated with Amprolium and nothing else.

Amprolium is not an antibiotic. All it does is reduce the reproduction of the protozoa that can cause Cocci. It does not affect anything else, only Cocci, and in the amounts in medicated feed, it is not a cure for Cocci. It is something that can help prevent it. Cocci becomes a problem when the number of protozoa that causes it becomes large.

I don't have anything against medicated feed but if I have a choice I don't feed it. it does no harm, unless you had your chicks vaccinated against Cocci. If they were vaccinated, it supposedly can negate the vaccine.

I feed my brooder raised chicks dirt from the run at Day 2 or Day 3 to introduce anything, including Cocci, that might be in the flock. That way, they can build up immunities they need. I've never had a problem with Cocci doing that, but I keep a fairly dry brooder. The problems usually kick in with a wet brooder or run. The protozoa that causes Cocci can thrive in wet manure. Keeping the brooder and run dry usually keeps Cocci under control. Not always, but usually.

Your biggest risk from Cocci is when they are first exposed to it, whether that is in the brooder or in the run. It does no good to feed medicated feed if they are not exposed to the protozoa. If you feed it, they will build up an immunity to Cocci and the Amprolium does not prevent that. It can be beneficial while they are gaining that immunity but for a lot of us, it is not essential.

So my general thoughts are that you don't have to feed it unless you have a reason to feed it based on your history. But it does no harm to feed it.

Something else I'll mention. It's possible your new chicks have been exposed to a form of Cocci that your extablished flock has not been exposed to. This is not something that will show up in quarantine. It is also possible that your existing flock has been exposed to a form of Cocci that the new chicks have not been. In either case, they will not have built up the immunity they need. For a couple of weeks after you merge them, watch all of them for signs of Cocci. It's not usually a huge deal if you watch for it and catch it early, but you may need to treat them to help them build up the immunity they need.

Good luck! And ask her why. There may be a reason.

 

[CAjerseychick]

Mine were day olds from a Hatchery, started them on Purina Start and Grow and its medicated-- all 15 (sixweek olds now) are healthy and still with me...Better safe than sorry I guess-- they were out in a cardboard "tractor" from week 2 onwards and out to coop and run at 4 weeks--so they also had exposure to dirt and grass, etc...

 

[TXchickmum]

I used the medicated starter feed because I didn't want to risk Coccidiosis. -took the few day old "little bits" out of the brooders to scratch and dust bathe right away. They loved time outdoors scratching and pecking at the grass/ground. -have happy, healthy 20 week old layers now!

I say it is a personal preference.

 

[ChicKat]

I feel better using medicated, although I realize the wisdom of Ridgerunners observations. It's that ounce of prevention versus pound of cure approach.

 

[Pharmacy Chick]

Txchickmum; I do the same thing...feed medicated starter, but take the babies out to play during the warmth of the day as well. Have had no problems thus far.

 

[New Chick Love]

Mine are on medicated starter feed, I'm new at this and want to do everything I can to avoid problems. So far so good and I'm now taking them out daily to the coop getting them ready for life on the outside. I figure the dirt and grass can only do them good, being chickens and all!!

 

[hoffmanslabs5]

Thanks so much for all the information. It has really helped. I will ask the breeder why and go from there. Thanks again.