medicated vs non medicated feed?

[crazychickenlady81]

Hi BYC!

I was wondering what your thoughts are on feeding new chicks medicated feed vs. non-medicated feed.

I currently have a flock of 5 that is just about to turn 1 year old at the end of the month.
I am also getting an additional 8 day old chicks next week.

With my first flock, I fed everyone organic, non-medicated starter. I only feed my flock organic feed.
However, I did have some problems over the year with coccidiosis, and I have been told that it is wise to start chicks on medicated feed early on because this helps keep them healthy and gives their immune systems a chance to get stronger to fight things like coccidiosis off.

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?

And my second question... also food related.

I've seen lots of posts regarding integrating young into established flocks, but not a lot about how to deal with the different diets of food. 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?


Thank you so much!

 

[Birdsong 82]

As far as medicated and non-medicated I’ve done both. I did nonmedicated and had no problems. But being scared of things like coccidiosis I went for medicated feed this time around. Somehow they still got it though. I don’t know if maybe their bodies are becoming immune to the medicated feed overtime or what. But after realizing that I’m starting to think if it makes a difference or not. I just make sure I keep corid on hand and to keep a close eye for symptoms as we always do with new ones. I had to wait more than six weeks to integrate my flock because my Rhode Island Reds are pretty darn mean. But when I did my chickens were on the grower layer of food. So I just gave that to all the chickens. It won’t affect the older ones to have that. Mine were off of starter when I integrated them but I’ve heard people talking about feeding them separately or having some sort of box or crate with a small opening that only the small ones could get into to get their feet so the older ones don’t eat all their feed That may need to be done either way because sometimes the older ones can just be plain mean and bullying the younger ones away from their food.

 

[crazychickenlady81]

I do have Corid on hand, so maybe I'll stick with the non-medicated. If is still likely that I'm going to have problems with coccidiosis, I would rather keep medicine out of their food.

I like your idea of making a small feeder that the bigger girls can't get into... that shouldn't be too difficult to do.

Do you think I would have problems keeping the young ones from eating the layer feed?

 

[Birdsong 82]

I do not know of any drawbacks to medicated feed. It seemed the same as the non-medicated as far as that meeting is and them growing and just being chIckes. The first time I didn’t use it in fear my goats would get into it and medicated feed can be deadly in large amounts to them. Plus I also like to give my chickens organic food. But wanting to do what’s best and avoid any diseases and felt burning system I choose medicated this time around. But somehow they were able to get it anyway so I don’t know that the medicated feed did any good

 

[Birdsong 82]

My chickens will eat whatever they can get their beaks song. I have to keep mine separated until they’re laying eggs but my younger ones do you get into my other ones layer feed when they take over the run while my adult birds are free ranging. I think it’s fine for them to pack at the layer feed as long as they’ve had time to fill them selves up with their own food So when they’re eating I would just make sure maybe their separate long enough to get filled up with their feed As their main breakfast
I like to keep medication out of their food also unless it’s extremely beneficial and needed for their health. But at least medicated feed doesn’t make them act any different. They don’t seem drugged or anything

 

[True Patriot]

I've been using non-medicated. Personally I'm not a believer in medicating anything without reason. If something develops I'll treat as required, but I feel that letting the immune system function helps development. I can't base that on medical studies, just opinion. As far as keeping them out of the other feed, good luck. Maybe switch to a grower/raiser with oyster shell on the side for layers. This way they all get what they need. It would at least simplify shopping. Others may have better insight on that.

 

[Mosey2003]

I only start chicks on medicated feed. If I don't have medicated feed on hand for some reason, I medicate the water. The amprolium in medicated feed is there to help the chicks' immune systems develop a resistance to coccidia gradually, rather than a percentage of them being overwhelmed and dying.

I'm one that doesn't give any thought to any of my feed or management practices being organic though. I do what I feel is best for the birds.

 

[Folly's place]

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

 

[happyfrenchman]

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

 

[Sneebsey]

I use medicated starter for brooder chicks due to a history of cocci; it's naturally present in the environment, and the damp climate here in the UK just exacerbates it. If you've had it before, then use medicated, as @Folly's place has already stated.

Please note that Amprolium is potentially harmful to adult birds, so chicks raised with a broody hen should be fed unmedicated, for the safety of the mother.

ETA: For the rest of the flock, I use plain unmedicated grower for everyone, with oyster shell and mixed grit both available on the side. Cockerels and birds not currently in lay can suffer from kidney and liver damage from the extra calcium in layer feed.