Medicated vs Non-Medicated Feed

[speckledhen]

I just love everything about this post!

Thanks!

 

[nine9d]

So, when I get my new chickies this Spring (first timer here), is it best to introduce them to the outdoors within the first week of life instead of buying the medicated feed?

 

[speckledhen]

So, when I get my new chickies this Spring (first timer here), is it best to introduce them to the outdoors within the first week of life instead of buying the medicated feed?

That is what I do, but it's your decision. I get a shallow pan, like a kitty litter pan, and put dirt from my garden/yard in the pan and give them a place to dig and dust bathe in their inside pen, whether they're with a broody or just being brooded with a heat lamp. It begins their exposure to the oocysts in the soil right away. Seems I see much less cocci than I used to by doing it this way. And unless the co-op is simply out of non-medicated feed and I must have it right then, I never use medicated anymore. It just is not effective in preventing coccidiosis, IMHO.

Whichever you do, always watch for signs of coccidiosis. They can contract it on medicated feed or non-medicated.

 

[nine9d]

That is what I do, but it's your decision. I get a shallow pan, like a kitty litter pan, and put dirt from my garden/yard in the pan and give them a place to dig and dust bathe in their inside pen, whether they're with a broody or just being brooded with a heat lamp. It begins their exposure to the oocysts in the soil right away. Seems I see much less cocci than I used to by doing it this way. And unless the co-op is simply out of non-medicated feed and I must have it right then, I never use medicated anymore. It just is not effective in preventing coccidiosis, IMHO.

Whichever you do, always watch for signs of coccidiosis. They can contract it on medicated feed or non-medicated.

o.k. It kind of makes sense to me. I don't believe my chicks will be vaccinated either, there is so much controversy on this subject as well. But is there any tell tale signs in baby chicks that I should look out for as a first-timer? Thanks for all of your great info.

 

[speckledhen]

I'm not sure many folks vaccinate for coccidiosis, in truth. If you do, of course, you would not feed medicated feed because it negates the vaccine. Usually, when they say "vaccinated", they are referring to Marek's. There are a number of vaccines available for flocks, some of which are not done on newly-hatched chicks. Mine are not vaccinated for anything at all, never saw a need.

Generally, chicks don't get coccidiosis until they are a few weeks old, the four to eight week period being the most vulnerable. By about 12 weeks old, they are usually immune to whatever types are in your soil that they grew up on and have been exposed to most of their lives. I've never had to treat any adult bird for coccidiosis, but then, I never bring birds here who have grown up elsewhere and have not become immune to *my* types of oocysts. And I think it was only early on in my super-hatching days when I had large groups of chicks that I ever saw cocci in an older chick, like 13-14 weeks old, never since that time.

You would watch for extreme lethargy, ruffled feathers, just chicks that look like they do not feel well, especially within that 4-8 week range and even up until week 10 or so. The most obvious sign most folks think of is bloody poop, but you will not always notice any. There are types of coccidiosis that have mutated and are more virulent and if you must treat them, they have to have a double dosage of Corid (concentrated amprolium) for the 5 day period you normally treat them, but that would be a more unusual case. Some types of cocci are said to respond better to Sulmet, but that drug is very hard on their intestines and can prolong bleeding.

But, don't get ahead of yourself! You may never have to deal with it. If you do, no big deal, just use the best tool in your chicken arsenal, your power of observation! If you see suspicious signs, get them on treatment, even if they're already on medicated feed.

 

[lazy gardener]

I use unmedicated feed, give my chicks exposure to local cocci and other pathogens within the first week by giving them a plug of soil from my yard. I replace that sod when ever they "wear it out". I use MHP brooder, and brood my chicks in a grow out coop. Temps at that time can vary from 20's to 50's. BTW, there is a 2 week window after hatch when the chick has the strongest antibodies received from her mother.

 

[nine9d]

Thanks all for your great help and information. So I am gong to be ordering my chicks and have them delivered in the early spring. I will use non-medicated feed, and introduce them to my soil within the first week that I have them. I will order up my Corid and try to have everything in my power to help these chickies along. Thanks to all.

 

[speckledhen]

Thanks all for your great help and information. So I am gong to be ordering my chicks and have them delivered in the early spring. I will use non-medicated feed, and introduce them to my soil within the first week that I have them. I will order up my Corid and try to have everything in my power to help these chickies along. Thanks to all.

Sounds like an excellent plan. Best of luck to you! And let us know how it goes for you.

 

[rjohns39]

@speckledhen I can't believe this thread has been out here since May, and I'm just now noticing it. Great information here. It's got me wondering... Sometimes you do things just because that's the way you were taught, without understanding why you do it. A foot stomper for my mentor was brood 3 weeks and move them to a portable shelter on day 22 and move them to fresh grass every day. I've never had a case of cocci, even though my friends and neighbors all have. It's got me thinking, now about my routine.

 

[speckledhen]

@speckledhen I can't believe this thread has been out here since May, and I'm just now noticing it. Great information here. It's got me wondering... Sometimes you do things just because that's the way you were taught, without understanding why you do it. A foot stomper for my mentor was brood 3 weeks and move them to a portable shelter on day 22 and move them to fresh grass every day. I've never had a case of cocci, even though my friends and neighbors all have. It's got me thinking, now about my routine.

I'm glad it helped you. Seriously, if you feed medicated or non-medicated feed, they'll survive, as long as you are not lulled into a false sense of security that they won't get cocci if you do it a certain way. No matter which way you decide to feed them, you still must be vigilant and watch for signs of anything out of kilter with your chicks.

I've seen people say, "It can't be coccidiosis because they are on medicated feed" and nothing could be further from the truth, so that is partly why this thread was hatched.