medicated vs non medicated starter feed

[auburnkurls]

Got my chicks 4 weeks ago - they were all immunized.

started them on Scratch and Peck Starter feed..http://www.scratchandpeck.com/products/nfstarter

now running low and needed more, my fiance brought this back from a different store...http://poultry.purinamills.com/OURPRODUCTS/Products/StartGrow/default.aspx the Medicated stuff

Is this OK to switch them too? Or should I go get more of the stuff I started with?

 

[frostbite]

If you get them immunized, do NOT use medicated starter. If you did NOT get them immunized, then use the medicated starter.

 

[joannarashid]

I believe the immunization your speak of is for Marek's Disease which is a viral. That is completely different than the bacterial infection you would be attempting to prevent by using medicated chick starter feed. "Medicated" starter contains antibiotics.

I feed non-medicated organic chick starter to my chicks and did not loose any. They did great. I was simply diligent about cleanliness.

 

[joannarashid]

oh, ps.

The maker of the feed is Modesto Mills. They are local to me here in Northern California. I am not sure how widely they are distributed.

 

[Fred's Hens]

I believe the immunization your speak of is for Marek's Disease which is a viral. That is completely different than the bacterial infection you would be attempting to prevent by using medicated chick starter feed. "Medicated" starter contains antibiotics.

I feed non-medicated organic chick starter to my chicks and did not loose any. They did great. I was simply diligent about cleanliness.

Antibiotics?

Medicated feed here simply means it has amprollium in it, which is merely a thiamine blocker, limiting exposure to cocci. No anti-biotics at all.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Vaccinated specifically for what? Mareks, Coccidiosis, something else?

You can use the medicated feed for your chicks if they have been vaccinated for anything BUT Coccidiosis. That is the one vaccination for which medicated feed is contraindicated. Anything else it would be OK.

 

[frostbite]

Thanks for the clarification. I was thinking of coccidiosis vaccine, when I made my comment, my chicks came vaccinated for this, so I'm using the non-medicated feed.

 

[joannarashid]

Well, that is a common parasite. I did not know they could vaciniate for that. Interesting.
\Well, either way, its best to simply keep their environment really clean and just do organic, antibiotic free feed.

 

[piltupso]

I live in Alaska and had to order my chicks and my feed separately. by the time both arrived I had vaccinated chicks and medicated feed. I had no choice but to use the medicated feed. Will this cause any other problems besides nullifying the vaccine? From here on out I am assuming I should stick to medicated feed? Is there anything else to look out for? All the birds seem to be doing good so far, about a week on.

 

[joannarashid]

Feeding medicated feed to vaccinated chicks will not "nullify" their vaccines. They will simply have been exposed to a lot of antibiotics. Perhaps, it is simply a philosophical choice. I choose to avoid unnecessary antibiotic exposure. What ever the choice.

Most people do not feed medicated feed past 6-12 weeks.