Medicated feed and eggs

[Bdbutton]

I have 2 hens that are 22 weeks old and are still eating medicated food. Should I start them on laying pellets now? If they lay an egg now would we be able to eat the egg? If not, how long after stopping the medicated food would it be safe to eat the eggs?

 

[lazy gardener]

Yes, you can eat the eggs. The medication in the feed is most likely Amprolium which is a thiamine blocker. It's not recommended to give medicated feed past 8 - 10 weeks of age. Many of us never use medicated feed.

I live in the unmedicated camp. Never used it, never had issue with coccidiosis. I choose natual methods to ensure a healthy gut and immune system: chicks exposed to soil from my yard within 1st week of hatch. They also get fermented feed. My flock, when confined to coop/run are on deep litter. All of these practices work to load the chicken gut with beneficial bacteria and fungi which fight off pathogens.

 

[lazy gardener]

The bigger issue regarding your possible feed practice is this: if the feed is 6 weeks older than mill date, many of the nutrients have oxidized. So, birds on old feed are at risk of nutritional deficiencies.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have 2 hens that are 22 weeks old and are still eating medicated food. Should I start them on laying pellets now? If they lay an egg now would we be able to eat the egg? If not, how long after stopping the medicated food would it be safe to eat the eggs?

Where are you located in the world (state/country)?
What is listed as the "medication" on your tag?
IF the medication is Amprol/Amprolium then there is no egg withdrawal so eating the eggs is fine.
You can start transitioning them to layer feed at anytime.

 

[Bdbutton]

Where are you located in the world (state/country)?
What is listed as the "medication" on your tag?
IF the medication is Amprol/Amprolium then there is no egg withdrawal so eating the eggs is fine.
You can start transitioning them to layer feed at anytime.

I live in Northern California. Amprolium is the medication in their feed. I will switch their food right away. Where do I get fermented feed? Thank you all for your input!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I live in Northern California. Amprolium is the medication in their feed. I will switch their food right away. Where do I get fermented feed? Thank you all for your input!

Then you should be fine. @lazy gardener is the go to for fermenting feeds

 

[lazy gardener]

THere is a FAQ article re: FF in my signature. You can paste it into a search bar, and it will tell you everything you need to know to get started. Excellent resource written by TikkiJane.

 

[Folly's place]

You can transition them to a layer feed, or an all-flock feed, which is a better choice, IMO. With oyster shell in a separate dish out there.
Always check the mill date on each bag of feed, and buy within a month, and use it up within a couple more weeks. Some vitamins don't store well, so fresh is always best!
If you only have two birds, buy the small bag of feed!
With a mixed flock of youngsters, laying hens, molting birds, and roosters, I feed Purina Flock Raiser, 20% protein, with oyster shell in another container for the laying hens.
Find a diet that's always fresh where you shop!
Mary

 

[Bdbutton]

Do most of you feed non GMO organic?

 

[Folly's place]

'Most of us' is a very big number! I'd guess (only a guess!) that most of us don't buy organic, and in my case at least, it's totally because of cost.
We don't eat organic exclusively anyway, so neither do my chickens. I do try to buy organic fruit and veggies, and pasture raised beef, and have chickens for their meat and eggs, and pure entertainment.
Mary