Medicated Starter Feed vs. Laying Hens.....

[eggzettera]

I am planning on getting a couple more chicks in the spring. I plan on intergrating them as chicks, I just have an eglu with 2 pullets & 1 cockerel and thought that this would be the least stressful (adding chicks @ night)........

So my question is this: the layer pellets will be to high for the chicks to reach so no worries there, but how to I stop the pullets (by then they will be hens) from eating the starter crumbles that are medicated?

Am I correct in assuming that if the hens eat the medicated food the eggs are no longer consumable........what to you all do?
TIA

 

[1acrefarm]

I would not integrate them as chicks. They cannot defend themselves against the older chickens. I would put them in some type of brooder because they need the extra heat anyway.

 

[speckledhen]

If you mean as very young chicks, it is possible that the older ones will kill the younger ones. It is recommended that they be close to the same size so they can run for their lives when they are chased and pecked on.

 

[eggzettera]

I was half thinking that I might let my bantam cochin hatch a few out, so I still have the question about the feed.....

 

[speckledhen]

Hmm, well if the feed only has Amprolium, then you don't have a problem. There is no withdrawal on that. We thought you meant you were buying chicks because you said put them in at night with your other adults-just the wording didn't sound like you meant you were talking about a broody so sorry if we misunderstood.

 

[eggzettera]

No your fine, its me - my wording was off..... I have been on the fence about "how" to get more......thanks for the info.