Medicated Feed

[OutRun]

HI all - I'm new to this list so quick intro. I live in Oklahoma and have 20 chickens ( 10 Dorkings that are 3 yrs old and 19 Ameraucanas that are 11 weeks old ).

Of those birds I only had a couple Dorkings sit and hatch chicks. I have 3 chicks that are 4 weeks old and free-range with all the others. They are put-up at night to protect from predators and let out in the morning to roam in their 100'x100' backyard. They have 2 big trees for shade and some bushes to play in.

My questions is this --- I have been feeding medicated feed for the chicks and I'm worried about the medication going into the eggs since all the birds are eating this feed. When can I switch to regular crumbles ?

Thank you ....

Dave Strickland
OK

 

[Fred's Hens]

If the med was amprollium, there's no genuine concern about laying hens eating it. It is merely a thiamine blocker in the intestine and doesn't enter the eggs.

However, the naturally brooded chicks tend to get all the exposure and resistance to coccidiosis from the mother. I'd not personally be feeding medicated chick feed.

It's worth noting that medicated chick feed is only so effective anyhow. It cannot prevent all coccidiosis breakouts anyhow, so I don't see much point in it. In an outbreak, having Corid on hand to treat via the water supply just makes more sense to me.

In your situation, I'd probably be feeding an All Flock, Flock Raiser or Gamebird Grower to everyone and make life easier for everyone.

 

[OutRun]

thank you Fred - that's what I was thinking. I just wanted to make sure.

I don't know what kind of med is in the feed but I will check tonight.

Dave