My oldes is 16 weeks. my youngest is 12. Ive read that you can keep them on this feed until they start to lay. But wont this effect the eggs, being able to eat them that is?
You hit a controversial subject. You are likely to get a bunch of different opinions. Some manufacturers say there is no withdrawal period for eggs when you feed their medicated feed. Other sources give up to a 4 week withdrawal period. I think there is some confusion in this due to the difference in the small amounts of Amprolium in feed compared to the amounts used to treat Cocci when they are really sick. But I don't know. If you look at the government websites, they say that the amount of Amprolium in feed has not been proven to cause any problems in humans if they eat the eggs. Occasionally these sites will also mention that this has not been proven to not cause problems. I don't translate government legalese doubletalk very well, so I am still a bit confused on that one. I once read what a bird vet once said. He did not think the amounts in the feed (as compared to the heavy doses in treatment) was much of a threat due to the Amprolium not being absorbed through the intestinal walls very well, but due to the confusion, he thought a one week withdrawal period was reasonable. I'm not a medical professional in any form. I will not give you any advice since I am not qualified. Hope this helps a bit.
Most feed Co.'s will use one of two types of medications in there chick starter as a active ingredient in there medicated poultry feed. One type is, 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). According to the Amprolium site there is no withdrawal periods in both eggs and poultry meat. 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. There is no withdrawal is required because Lasalocid is confined to the alimentary canal of the bird. Chris
As others have said, there are various opinions on medications and eggs. I think it comes down to a personal choice. Remember that chickens raised for eggs and meat to be sold in supermarkets are routinely given antibiotics unless they are organic or labeled as antibiotic free. My Avian vet tells me to feed my birds medicated feed for their whole life. I disagree and feel like the whole point of having my own chickens is to avoid having eggs with medication. I do however, feed my chicks medicated starter and plan to switch when they are 16 weeks old. Hope this helps
i feed my chickens starter grain from purina untill they are 16 weeks old and then they go on corn then i will start feedin them layena from purina
Well, I can see I'm gonna have to go with my gut on this one. I like greenkjb am raising chickens to avoid most of the medication. I have to compromise this with having healthy birds. So I am going to switch as soon as my youngest becomes ready to be off this stuff. thanks for all of your input
