Medicated food?

[TonysMom]

Hello! I have a 3 day old pea chick who is on Purina Game Bird 30% protein starter feed. I also started it on cooked egg yolks. Today his poop seems a bit runnier, although his disposition and appearance are fine. Do I need to switch to medicated food? If so, where do I find it, and can someone suggest a specific brand? Online I am only finding medicated food for chicks. Also, I read something about giving pea chicks with loose stools a medication (Bactryd?) for 3 days…. Where would I be able to buy this. Do I need a prescription? I really appreciate your advice as I am totally inexperienced.

 

[TonysMom]

Also, forgot to add that I am using Save.A.Chick Electrolyte in his water. Bought the Probiotic version but didn’t add it yet. Should I?

 

[KsKingBee]

30% is too high for hatchlings, normal 20ish % non medicated is good until it is put on the ground where it can run off the excess protein. All medicated feed does is starve cocci of vitamin D and A in an effort to stunt the growth of the protozoan, which also withholds the needed vitamins from the chick and retards the chicks growth as well. We use Toltrazuril which actually kills cocci, monthly after the chicks go to the ground where they come into contact with the protozoan.

 

[TonysMom]

30% is too high for hatchlings, normal 20ish % non medicated is good until it is put on the ground where it can run off the excess protein. All medicated feed does is starve cocci of vitamin D and A in an effort to stunt the growth of the protozoan, which also withholds the needed vitamins from the chick and retards the chicks growth as well. We use Toltrazuril which actually kills cocci, monthly after the chicks go to the ground where they come into contact with the protozoan.

Thank you so much for your feedback. The chick hasn’t been outside at all. I have it in a large hatchery, covered with pee pee pads. Consequently, I do think it would be unlikely that he could have cocci… Still, finding the change in his stools unsettling. I am switching to Manna Pro Gamebird Showbird Starter Grower today, as per your recommendation. It is 24% protein and hopefully the chick will take to it better. It was born weighing 65 gr. Day 2 he weighed 61 gr and this morning, Day 3, 60 gr. Disposing is good, but for the feces and the fact that it doesn’t seem to eat and drink very much. Do you have any thoughts on adding probiotics to the water, @Ks Backyard Girls ? Thanks again.

 

[KsKingBee]

The pack we add has Vitamins, minerals, pro-biotic, and electrolytes.

 

[TonysMom]

The pack we add has Vitamins, minerals, pro-biotic, and electrolytes.

Got it! Thank you so much