Medicated or non-medicated feed?

[chickpip]

Hi!
Do we feed our chicks Medicated or non-medicated feed? I forget what we did last time? We bought a bag of medicated feed... because I think thats what we fed them last time. Hopefully that is right?

 

[SweeChee]

I'm getting my chicks tomorrow after work

First time with chicks ever and I was wondering the same thing Medicated feed or not? Also wondering if I have red heat lamp if I also need to give the chicks white light during the day...

Thanks bunches BYC!!

 

[jerseygirl1]

I use medicated, but I think it's a matter of preference - medicated has amprolium i it, which ( I THINK) builds up immunities to coccidia
Someone else will chime in, I'm sure

 

[FluffyChic]

I'm sure you'll get varying answers on this but this last batch of chicks we got, we fed them the medicated starter feed for the first 4 weeks. I bought this group from an individual from CL and wasn't sure on their health. Last summer we got a batch of chicks from our feed store that were very healthy and just used regular starter and they all have done great. I think the medicated is a good way to start until they get a little more hardy and then you can switch once they get a bit older. For instance, I don't want my laying girls to have any meds, but as natural of feed as possible. Hope this helps! Good luck!!

 

[FluffyChic]

Quote:
We have used both, but prefer red. Red is fine during day/night. The white really does seem to make them fistier, they would seem to be really hyper w/the white light. I put the red light on and there is peace in the brooder again.

 

[Mrs.H]

I wasnt sure what to get either, so I just got small bag of medicated when thats gone im going to buy their reg. feed. They've been eating the medicated for a week now, they will be on reg. feed soon.

 

[dntd]

I use a just a red spot light, alot cheaper then a heat lamp.

 

[chickpip]

It just popped into my head.... we used medicated feed last time. Thanks for all the replys!! PS: We have raised chicks 2previous times.. a red heat lamp lower the temperature every week 5 degrees. Starting at 90-95 degrees. The chicks are your best deciders... if they are crowed under the lamp increase the temp.. if they are far away from it, lower the temp.. etc! GOOD LUCK!

 

[speckledhen]

It's a matter of preference and there are numerous discussion on the board about it. Using medicated feed does not guarantee that your chicks will not get coccidiosis. If your soil is full of the oocycts (a protozoan) that cause it, they may still contract it when they hit the ground. Neither does good sanitation in the coops guarantee they won't get it, either, contrary to what you may think.

Broody-raised chicks never seem to get it since they are exposed in small amounts much earlier than chicks in a brooder.

 

[dixieandthechicks]

In my anxiousness for our chickies to arrive, I bought a 50 pound bag of medicated feed. We will have 10 chicks.. Should I swap it out for a smaller bag??