medicated feed and eggs

[ScoobyRoo]

Hello everyone! I'm a newbie to this forum. After reading the advices and personal experiences for the last several months, I decided to jump in and join the fun! I have 8 hens and a roo that are 23 months old and another 14 hens (I hope) that are 16 months old. So, after reading many feedbacks on the feeding routine, I am feeding medicated and layers feed all in the same feeder. They are lucky enough to free range all day. My question is....my older hens just started laying eggs so is it harmful for us to eat the eggs because they may be eating the medicated feed along with thier layers ration? To give you an idea how much medicated feed I put out, just a half of a big coffee can and half layers feed. Surprisingly that will last all day since they free range. What do you think, will we get sick? Thanks in advance for your inputs.

 

[Wynette]

First of all:

No, you won't get sick from eating the eggs. Enjoy!

 

[keljonma]

Why are you feeding medicated feed?

Going by the ages you listed for your birds, they just need the layer feed.

 

[silkiechicken]

If you are feeding young and old birds at the same time, it wont hurt to get a "flock raiser" and just use supplemented calcium shell on the side.

As long as the meds are just amprolium, don't worry, no withdrawl time.

 

[ScoobyRoo]

I thought that the younger ones still needed to be on the chick/grower until at least 18 wks of age. Can I go ahead and switch them to the layers because that is all I have right now.

 

[keljonma]

Oh, I'm sorry, you wrote months and I read it as months, not weeks.... I didn't realize you still had pullets.

Yes, if you have some grower feed left, you can mix the rest of the grower in with the layer at 18 weeks of age and feed layer after that.

 

[ScoobyRoo]

I'm glad you caught my mistake. They are 23 weeks old and just started laying for me. I have 2 Buff Orp. 3 Silver laced Wyandottes and 2 RIR. My 16 Week old chicks consist of 5 leghorns, 4 australorps and 5 Araucanas. Thanks for all of your help. I'm going to finish off the bag of grower and stick with the layer along with oyster shells and plenty of free ranging. Being a first time chicken Mom, I've got a lot to learn and this is the best place to get information. Thanks again!

 

[keljonma]

Aren't those first eggs wonderful ?!

 

[ScoobyRoo]

YES, they are!! My three kids ages 9, 11, and 13 can't wait to go out and check the nest. My oldest daughter has been making scrambled eggs before school. I'm glad to know that we wont get sick eating them knowing that my laying hens may be eating medicated feed. Thanks to you all.