Medicated Feed

[aglosser1117]

I have 7 week chicks which have been unmediated feed. Would it be a good idea to feed medicated feed now, or is it too late?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If you haven't seen any incidence of coccidiosis, I wouldn't worry about it.
I never feed medicated.

 

[ChicKat]

I have 7 week chicks which have been unmediated feed. Would it be a good idea to feed medicated feed now, or is it too late?

Agreed - there would be no benefit IMO to feed them medicated.

I always use 'medicated' -- and have never had coccidiosis in my chicks -- but at 8 weeks they go on to regular feed.

 

[aglosser1117]

Would it hurt if I did feed medicated feed for a week or so? I bought a small bag, but can return it if I need to.

 

[ChicKat]

Would it hurt if I did feed medicated feed for a week or so? I bought a small bag, but can return it if I need to.

IMO -->Take it back.

Here is a fact site and among the facts:

• Amprolium works by limiting uptake of thiamine (vitamin B1) by the coccidia parasite, which needs the thiamine to actively multiply. I'm not medical enough to know if it would also limit the B1 for the chicks -- but if it did it would not be helpful to them.

Found this fact sheet on the Nutrena site:
http://scoopfromthecoop.nutrenaworld.com/medicated-chick-starter-facts/


ETA - it also leaves some cocci bacteria in the chick's system to enable the chick to build up immunity -- at this point your chicks probably have immunity so I wouldn't mess with the biochemistry of their gut flora and fauna.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You can feed it. It won't help or hurt. But a small bag of feed is much more expensive per pound so I'd take it back.

 

[aglosser1117]

Ok. Thanks!

 

[Peep-Chicken]

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!