medicated feed vs. non-medicated feed

[Dirty Farmer]

I'm new to raising chickens. I see I can buy medicated and non-medicated feed for the chickens.

What are the advantages, of using vs. not using, and what's the difference between the two?

 

[flocksalot]

Medicated is used to prevent Coccidiosis. I have my chicks vaccinated so I don't use the medicated. On the other hand I do feed my turkeys medicated.

 

[Tony K T]

Unmedicated,so they don't build up immunities by feeding medicines.They should only have meds when they are sick.Over medicating is worse then not medicating.In N.H.,Tony.

 

[Chris09]

There are two types of active ingredients used in medicated feed.

Amprolium - which goes by the trade names Corid and Amprovine, Amprolium, Amprol, Anticoccid and is a thiamine analog, competitively inhibits the active transport of thiamine (B1).
The second type of medication used is,
Lasalocid - goes by the trade name Bovatec. Bovatec (lasalocid) is a coccidiocide that kills coccidia. It is an ionophore that moves potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium into the cell causing the cell to burst. Bovatec works primarily on a single developmental stage of coccidia, providing a more narrow range of action than Deccox.

I use Medicated feed and have had no problems with it and haven't had a chicken grow a immunity to the medication and they will never will.

The Medication in medicated feed treats the problem and not the bird. Lasalocid kills coccidia and Amprolium prevents coccidia.

Chris

 

[centrarchid]

Chris covered the medications and mechanisms of actions very well. My take is more on management end.


If relatively larger number of birds on small area and bio-security not complete (rarely is), then medicated feed as needed and no more. Over time the development of immune parasites is probable with process being faster with improper use of medicated feeds.

If relatively low number of birds on small area which appears to not be realized much anymore, then medicated feeds need not be used if area not used for poultry in last few years or birds have developed immunity through selection as a landrace. This used to be a reality for my breeding but no longer since moving flocks to region where they are not adapted to local cocci. Landrace development underway but will have some seriously reduced production and increased risk until proper genetics in place.

Using the all in / all out method for production with all rearing equipment between batches of birds can reduce need for medicated feeds as well but you gotta be on your toes to stop outbreaks with medication as needed. It is difficult to stop all introductions of your disease organisms.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Ive been using non-medicated for the last couple years. Mainly because I the medicated doesn't come in a higher protein and the adults also get the 20% crumbles as well as the chicks. No problems with coccidia.

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
I can do that with my dominiques with only mild signs of coccidia infection but with my American games >95% loss everytime. Same games can be grown without medicated feeds when it is done where I grew up.

I will guess you are above average in keeping your place clean?