Medicated Chick Starter or Not

[DixieEmu]

Hello!

I am expecting 40 Guinea keets here in the next 2 weeks.
Why automatically use medicated chick starter on a day old chick??
Can someone please reply to the pros and cons of doing this??
I did do it for my Emu- but I question if it is really necessary?
Thank you!
In advance!
Dixie Emu

 

[Kiki]

Medicated vs Non-Medicated Feed

I think it is a personal preference.
I have seen many people whose birds still end up on Corid to treat coccidiosis outbreaks.

I would recommend not feeding it.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

I don't start feeding until the second or third day. Then it is chick starter with amprolium which is a coccidiostat. My brooders are heavily populated for the first few days. Amprolium is a thiamine inhibitor only.
Not really a medicine. Once my chicks are sold and distributed/usually within a week or 2, I switch over to plain jane starter feed for the balance of the unsold, to naturally- let them become immune to coccidia.
When I have 50-60 chicks in a tub fighting and competing for feed, waste is consumed more often so that's why I start with Amprolium.
But to each their own. The lower number of birds you have will dictate the cleanliness of their quarters.
The cleaner the better of course.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I have never used medicated start doing that it won't help with meds when or if you need them jmho

 

[dunnmom]

When we got our first chicks, we went with medicated starter, because we thought it was almost certain death for our chicks not to. However, the chicks we have now were hatched by and being raised by mama hen.

We didn't get medicated this time, because we knew that mama would be eating it, and there's a possibility the other hens might sneak some, too if they can figure out how to get to it. Our adult hens obviously don't need medicated feed, and we don't know if the meds get into the eggs, or not.

Either way no one has died, or gotten sick, so really it seems to be a personal choice.

 

[SpeckledSussex2005]

Im pretty sure most non - medicated is cheaper, and I've had no problem with using it, but it all comes down to what you prefer really. Good luck!

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC!

I think the better question might be "can I feed chick starter to my keets", and I say this because I am under the impression that keets need a game bird starter.

 

[casportpony]

Im pretty sure most non - medicated is cheaper, and I've had no problem with using it, but it all comes down to what you prefer really. Good luck!

Welcome to BYC!

 

[DixieEmu]

You have helped me so much with your clear and concise reasons of doing what you do!!!
Thank you, so very much!!!

 

[SpeckledSussex2005]

Thanks! My previous account was somehow erased, so I had to create a new one all over again.