Medicated starter feed.....

[Ddurlak]

The hatchery says to start all chicks on a 20% medicated Chick starter.
My question is..... Is there a non medicated started feed? Or is all chick starter feed medicated? Does the medicated feed have anything to do with the Merek Vaccination?

Thanks for all your help

David

 

[easttxchick]

There is a non-medicated chick starter. The medicated feed has nothing to do with Mareks(you have to vaccinate agaist Mareks), it has to do with coccidiosis. It has amprolium in it which is used to HELP prevent cocci(doesn't necessarily mean they won't get it).
Personal choice as to which you feed your chicks.

 

[jerseygirl1]

Answers:

1. Yes, there is non medicated feed, Purina is one, there are many others - Purina has both - read the label

2. No - not all chick starter is medicated, check the label and the bag

3. No. Medicated contains amprolium, which builds up a reistance to cocci, which is usually found in soil. Marek's vaccine they do at the hatchery, either the chick or the gg get s a vaccination. Marek's is a nerve disease, (I think)

More experienced people will chime in with more accurate info