medicated vs non medicated feed?

[Folly's place]

It's not a problem at the low levels in the feed, for the adults. At least as fed in the USA.
Mary

 

[Sneebsey]

Thanks for clarifying. The bags from my local feed-store always have these hideous warnings on them; good to know that I can use it if I need to. I never seem to have any problems with cocci in hen-raised chicks, though, just brooder babies; I suppose being with the mother, out scratching around from day one must force their immune systems to kick in that much earlier.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I agree amprolium is not a problem for adult birds. You can feed it to adults without egg withdrawal their whole lives if you wanted to.

The only disadvantage for adults would be that you are not allowing their natural immune system to keep the coccidia in check without the assistance of the medicated feed, which may be a good idea if you live in a high coccidia area.

Then there is a small possibility you could lower their vitamin B intake as amprolium prevents vitamin B absorption (that's how it kills the coccidia in the bird's intestinal tract.)

If you've had issues with coccidia in the past, it is important to take steps to prevent further outbreak.

Coccidia (the protozoa) grow naturally in the soil and are generally ever present. Warmer, moister climates have higher numbers as the protozoa like mild, moist. Chickens act as a host which helps the coccidia proliferate. Chickens intake the egg oocysts, then the nymphs hatch burrowing into the chicken's gut, mature, lay (or burst...I forget which) more oocysts in the chicken's gut that are then released back into the soil to continue the cycle.

Therefore, a coccidiosis outbreak in flock means you are building your soil load at an exponential rate. You have to do something to break that cycle.

It is really, really hard to kill the oocysts, so prevention of their numbers is the first step (enter in amprolium medicated feed as it kills the nymphs before they mature to produce eggs). And you must clean and dispose of your litter.

Hard freezes can help cut back numbers, but it does not eliminate the oocysts. Hydrogen Peroxide at 30% level can help eradicate some oocysts, but it does not eliminate.

Once you've got a build up going, it is essential to take all steps to lower the oocyst numbers to prevent a continual severe outbreak.

I've raised chicks without medicated feed until I had an outbreak. Now I use medicated feed. I periodically give my adults medicated feed, usually when I'm raising chicks as their immune systems are not strong enough to eradicate the coccidia before they mature.

LofMc

 

[igorsMistress]

I didn't use medicated feed for any of my chicks. Gave them a dust bath with dirt from my backyard and a plug of sod with dirt on the bottom. Just my preference.

 

[Mosey2003]

Thanks for clarifying. The bags from my local feed-store always have these hideous warnings on them; good to know that I can use it if I need to.

Are you sure that your feed only has amprolium, and not something else as well, like an antibiotic? Amprolium is completely safe for hens, there isn't even an egg withdrawal. I suppose if you fed it to them all their lives they may eventually suffer from thiamine deficiency, but a couple months a year won't hurt them a bit.

 

[Sneebsey]

Are you sure that your feed only has amprolium, and not something else as well, like an antibiotic? Amprolium is completely safe for hens, there isn't even an egg withdrawal. I suppose if you fed it to them all their lives they may eventually suffer from thiamine deficiency, but a couple months a year won't hurt them a bit.

Yes, just amprolium, nothing else. I figure it's just the company panicking regarding applications of their feed. I can see why they'd put a warning on there, if just to avoid lawsuits.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If I want to keep my chicks/chickens organic, am I not able to feed them medicated feed? What are the drawbacks of using medicated feed?

It looks like I should wait at least 6 weeks to start integrating the new birds in with the older ones, but the new chicks should be on starter feed for 12 weeks before eating grower, while the older ones are eating layer pellets. What is the best way to manage this?

If you're planning to sell eggs or meat as certified organic, you need to check with the USDA if medicated feed is allowed. I don't think I've ever seen organic medicated feed before. If it's for your own consumption, obviously you can do as you please. I don't use medicated feed but I have Corid on hand just in case.

There's no reason to wait to integrate at 6 weeks as long as you have the space and the set up to integrate them earlier. I brooded outside in the run, and my chicks were roosting in the coop with the adults before the 6 week mark. As far as the feed issue, once my chicks had access to space outside of the brooder, I put both chicks and adults on the same feed, in my case Scratch & Peck chick starter and Payback "hatch to hen" crumble. Oyster shell is still available on the side for the hens, and my grit dish now has 3 different sizes of grit so the chickens can choose what's appropriate for them.

 

[crazychickenlady81]

I think that you are confusing 'medicated' with antibiotics included', and that's just not the case. The low levels of amprolium in chick starter is meant to help the chicks gradually develop natural resistance to an overwhelming infection with coccidia, and if you've had issues with it, please use the medicated feed for them!!!
It's a lower amount than is used to treat illness, and having chicks dead or severely ill isn't kinder, or good husbandry, or approved organic either.
Last I looked, amprolium is approved for organic poultry anyway.
Those of use who don't use medicated chick starter have a history of zero issues with coccidiosis, which might come and get us one year.
The medicated chick starter won't be a problem for your adults, and there's no egg withdrawal either.
An all-flock feed that is labeled for chickens of all ages and laying status works well!
I don't feed organic, so I use Flock Raiser, which works very well. Always check the mii date on each bag of feed, and buy so it can be used up within six weeks or so.
Mary

These are really great points. Thank you for sharing!!

 

[Hip Hillbilly Acres]

Medicated....(Amprol) I hate them dying.

So glad to see you here. We are not far from you. I am new to this. Researching and reading before purchase.