⠀ medicated feed

[JesseTab]

Is it safe to let layers to eat medicated feed? And can we eat the eggs they lay? Have a couple of layers and some that are still young. Have both layers feed and med crombles.

 

[DrMikelleRoeder]

It depends on the medication. Amprolium, a coccidiostat, is approved by the FDA for use in laying hens and the eggs may be consumed. BMD, bacitracin methylene disalicylate, is another common poultry medication that is approved for use in layer feeds with no restriction on eating the eggs. There are many other medications that are not approved for use in layer feeds. However, we do not put any medications in our Purina Layena feeds. By law, if a feed contains a medication, the medication, its concentration, its purpose, the diseases it targets, its usage directions and any withdrawal instructions must be stated on the tag.

 

[JesseTab]

We are using the Purina Crumble chick medicated feed. Is this safe?

 

[DrMikelleRoeder]

I assume you are asking if it is safe for your laying hens to eat the medicated feed. Yes, the medication is Amprolium, which is approved for layers, but chick feed will not have the calcium required by layers in order for them to manufacture the egg shells. I would recommend you feed laying age hens a layer feed, not a chick feed. Most adult birds have developed a degree of immunity to coccidiosis and do not need feed containing a coccidiostat unless they are in an environment that is very damp and/or heavily infested with coccidia.