Medicated feed...or no medicated feed?

[IcarusSomnio]

I just got my first-ever batch of chicks and ducklings today. The question now is, do I give them medicated feed or no medicated feed?

Right now, there on starter/grower crumbles, non-medicated. I was wary about buying anything medicated as I don't want to kill my youngsters.

Advice please? XD I have ten-day old Rouen ducklings, Sebrights and Welsummers. The Sebrights have 'real' wing feathers in and the Welsummers are just starting to show theirs.

 

[fiberart57]

My vote is medicated, it keeps the coccidiosis from becoming overwhelming to the babies. It helps them develop an immunity to it. It's not an antibiotic - it's a cocciostat, just slows it down.

Go to the Emergencies and Diseases section and read up on cocci to help you make the decision. I raised mine last year on medicated chick starter until they were 12 weeks old and lost none of them.

Mary

 

[Yardbirds286]

I am using medicated chick starter for my first ever batch. It has no antibiotics, just the Amprolium for cocci. I could be mistaken, but I believe ducks are not supposed to have med. feeds?? Someone else would know more than I, but that is what I understand. Good luck and enjoy those little ones!

 

[BarredBuff]

Give the ducks non medicated (non med. because they will OD on the amprol in the feed) and the chicks medicated (so coccidia wont overwhelm them).