Medicated vs Non medicated

[boxermom]

I have a broody that is sitting on 12 eggs. She is seperated from the rest of the flock in the brooder tank, although she is still in the barn where all the others can see her. I know I need to feed chick starter when the chicks hatch, but should I feed medicated or non-medicated. When I got my first chicks last spring from a hatchery, I fed medicated and had no problems. Will the medicated be a problem for my hen? They are due to hatch the 18th of Feb.

 

[Ridgerunner]

What is the "medicine" in the medicated feed? I suspect it is an Amprolium product which will not hurt the hen but I don't know what it is.

 

[boxermom]

Quote:
I don't know for sure since I haven't bought it yet. Amprolium sounds right though, from last year. It is to prevent cocci.

 

[Bullwinkle]

Hi Boxermom:

I fed medicated starter to my hen/chicks after they hatched last fall and she was fine. There are several different ingredients that are used in starter, but as Ridgerunner said the ones with Amprolium are fine for her. Chickens that have been on the ground/dirt have a certain amount of coccidiosis (a protozoa) growing in their intestines, they are just able to resist it/keep it in check. The Amprolium does not kill off all of the Coccidia, it just slows/checks its growth so that the chick can develop a resistance.

Sine the hen is not laying she doesn't need the extra calcium in layers feed. It is so much fun to watch the chicks and momma hen interact with each other. I love the 'cluck' that mommas do when they found something good for the babies to eat... and then the babies come running!

 

[Bullwinkle]

Quote:
It doesn't really 'prevent' Cocci... It slows the growth of Cocci enough that the protozoa does not overwhelm the chick (It prevents it in the sense that it helps keep it from manifesting in sickness and intestinal damage to the chick). It is good to have some cocci in the chicks intestinal track, otherwise it won't develop resistance.

 

[boxermom]

Thanks Bullwinkle,
I'm getting excited. I have tried to hold off my enthusiasm since it is still so cold here. I didn't want chicks this early, but the broody had different ideas. I couldn't break her. So... the countdown is on. Thanks for the info on the feed. The feedstore will be carrying it again this week, along with their chicks that are coming in...

 

[LynneP]

It's a good question.
If she and the chicks are the only ones getting at the feed, I'd be inclined to offer her grower up high where the chick's can't get at it, at least for now.
I'm a big fan of fighting cocci in chicks, so I'd want it for them.
It's still chilly and I wouldn't want my chicks stressed by a possible exposure to cocci. I know what Bullwinkle means, though, when they're older the exposure gives some resistance, but for the first two weeks it can overwhelm chicks.

 

[Chris09]

Amprolium
Chemical group: thiamine analog

Trade names: Corid, Amprol

Mode of action: thiamine analog, competitively inhibits the active transport of thiamine. The coccidia are 50 times as sensitive to this inhibition as is the host.

Pharmacokinetics: Freely soluble in water.

Dose: In dogs and cats: "extra label use": 300 to 400 mg/kg, SID for 5 days or 110 to 220 mg/kg SID for 7 to 12 days.

In chickens: For prevention of coccidiosis: 36.3 - 113.5 g/ton in the feed or in the drinking water at 0.012%. No withdrawal is needed.

Toxicity: May cause thiamine deficiency if given at high rates.

Parasite Targets: Isospora in dogs and cats, Eimeria in cattle and poultry.

http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/projects/dxendopar/drug pages/amprolium.htm\\

Chris

 

[NYREDS]

If you are going to let the hen raise the chicks on a solid floor you don't need a medicated feed. They will develop a natural immunity.

 

[boxermom]

Quote:
They will be in the brooder tank for a little while. I'm not sure how long though, then I will let them out with the rest of the flock. The tank is with the chickens, but has an old gate on top for a lid so nothing can get in, but the chickens can walk on top to peer in.