Medicated or non medicated?

[alibabba]

This is a good thread, lots of knowledge here.

I am comfortable with feeding medicated feed to chicks but I am curious.

If I brought new pullets...or any new chickens to my property.... What would be the harm in a few weeks of medicated feed? Just in case of different strains, stress etc? I can't think of any harm, but are there concerns? Does anyone do this?

Or do folks just wait and see if they get sick?

 

[CrazyTalk]

This is a good thread, lots of knowledge here.

I am comfortable with feeding medicated feed to chicks but I am curious.

If I brought new pullets...or any new chickens to my property.... What would be the harm in a few weeks of medicated feed? Just in case of different strains, stress etc? I can't think of any harm, but are there concerns? Does anyone do this?

Or do folks just wait and see if they get sick?

The only worry with amprolium laced feeds is that long term birds can develop thiamine deficiencies. If you're just switching birds on to it for a couple weeks, you're not going to have any problems.

 

[rides2far]

I was torn whether or not to feed medicated vs nonmedicated feed. After doing research here on BYC, I decided to start them on medicated feed. Since I am new to chickens, I didn't want to chance cocci. My 4-H steer had it & he was pretty sick. I fed them medicated until 9 weeks of age. Next I gave them 1/2 & 1/2. Now at 13 weeks, they are on nonmedicated feed & they are very healthy. I agree with both sides of the discussion, they all have merits. It's up to each person to educate themselves & do what they think is best. I'm already planning on what I'll do differently when I get my new babies in 3 years!

 

[ryanhodapp]

This is a good thread, lots of knowledge here.

I am comfortable with feeding medicated feed to chicks but I am curious.

If I brought new pullets...or any new chickens to my property....  What would be the harm in a few weeks of medicated feed?  Just in case of different strains, stress etc?  I can't think of any harm, but are there concerns? Does anyone do this?  

Or do folks just wait and see if they get sick?

I just went to a chicken discussion meet up on Sat. The speaker was from Purina Mills. He highly recommended the medicated. He sells both although he was not sales but in Tech services. He said chick starter should be fed until 18 weeks. Purina formulates their food to have the nutrients of 90% of,the birds intake. They estimate that chickens will get 10% from free range or scraps or scratch.

 

[kdolly87]

I just went to a chicken discussion meet up on Sat. The speaker was from Purina Mills. He highly recommended the medicated. He sells both although he was not sales but in Tech services. He said chick starter should be fed until 18 weeks. Purina formulates their food to have the nutrients of 90% of,the birds intake. They estimate that chickens will get 10% from free range or scraps or scratch.

I'm gonna go ahead and say a purina rep is not going to be offering unbiased information.

 

[alibabba]

I'm gonna go ahead and say a purina rep is not going to be offering unbiased information.

Agreed, take it with a grain of salt. However. Purina is not out to harm birds. That would be bad for business. That is interesting information from a tech rep.

Yes, I am cool on the chick raiser until you get egg 1. I don't think they meant medicated til 18 weeks...

 

[CrazyTalk]

I'm gonna go ahead and say a purina rep is not going to be offering unbiased information.

Purina sells both types of food, and the cost and price are largely the same - he has absolutely no reason to mislead here.

 

[alibabba]

The only worry with amprolium laced feeds is that long term birds can develop thiamine deficiencies. If you're just switching birds on to it for a couple weeks, you're not going to have any problems.

Thanks for the input, and to keep in mind deficiencies and keep a schedule.

I will do this in the future if I bring anyone new.

 

[casportpony]

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