medicated or non-medicated what do you think?

[wowmanacat]

My husband bought non medicated by mistake and I don't want to waste it. I had him get medicated today for I really like to start my chicks out on medicated. I was thinking of changing to the non medicated at about 2 weeks or so. My chicks have a grow out pen outside that they go out to at about 4 to 6 weeks.They do stay on chick starter till about 12 to 15 weeks. out here it is starter then grower/layer. I would like to have my 50# bag of medicated last me as long as I can since feed is starting to go up.

 

[Beekissed]

I've never used medicated feeds and my chicks all survived and all thrived unto ripe old age and those that haven't been eaten are still living today...never ailed a day. I don't think the unmedicated feed will put your chicks in harm's way.

 

[crankster76]

i dont know about all this medicated feed. all my chicks get the starter and stay on it till there grown. never had any problems.

 

[dainerra]

I don't use medicated feed either. I think it actually serves to WEAKEN the immune system.

 

[Beekissed]

Yep. Amprollium is a thyamine inhibitor and thyamine is an important factor in good immune system health. Best just let the chicks develop their own strong immune system.

 

[featheredroots]

I don't vaccinate or use medicated feed. Last years brood is still happy and healthy, and this year's are doing great also.

 

[mikecnorthwest]

I would feed the medicated and then the non-medicated. I definitely wouldn't waste a bag just because it's not medicated.

 

[EweSheep]

I've used both unmedicated and medicated feeds on my chicks and saw no differences at all. I often wonder if it was all "hype" by the feed companies. After all, most of us are not doing the "battery chick" methods on our chicks so no worries there!

 

[dainerra]

over-use of medication also leads to resistant germs. so, not only are you weakening the body's natural defenses, you are making the disease stronger.

 

[suebee]

I never used medicated chick feed either. Get the chicks on dirt asap so they can get exposed gradually.
If you do see a problem such as listless, puffed up, bloody poops...mix some corid (amprolium) in their water for 5 days.