medicated vs. umedicated... what do you feed??? Why??? Poll

[Fancie]

I guess I feed unmedicated... at least thats what here has told me... F & F Agrimaster.... It's $7 cheeper a bag then the medicated stuff.... but should I be springing the extra $7 for the medicated stuff?

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

I usually feed medicated, but since I have ducklings at the same time, I am using non-medicated, which I think I will use from now on. I put the chicks out on the ground when they are around 3-4 weeks of age.

 

[chilling in muscadine]

I would spring for the medicated. If your chicks get sick then you might loose some and then you will have to spend money on meds. One less thing to worry about for me.

 

[purecountrychicken]

I only feed non-medicated. I dont see the sence in feeding medicated.

 

[deerman]

I feed medicated, raise mostly peafowl,poults,and pheasant. All do better on medicated. Try best to raise 100% of all chicks.

Cost of losing a few peachicks, is worth paying the extra cost of medicated.

 

[CovenantCreek]

I won't use medicated feed. I'd rather help the chicks build up their immune systems naturally by giving them the same kinds of things a mother hen would, I add 100% (no sugar added) fruit juice to their water. I try to get something that includes cranberry, blueberry, and grape juices, apple juice is often used as the sweetener. Lots of nutrients their bodies can use.

 

[gritsar]

I fed medicated. I believe it's a small price to pay for insurance against coccidiosis, which can kill a young chick quickly. I feel it's important to not only feed the medicated to help them build an immunity, without their systems getting overwhelmed and get them out scratching in the dirt as young as possible. They need to be exposed to build a strong immune system.

 

[hollyk]

I am on my third batch of chicks since December. I have been feeding medicated feed and I have not lost one yet due to cocci. However, I am a believer in going as natural as possible. I choose medicated for the beginning since I was so green and having a lot to learn. I move my chicks to a brooder box in the main coop when they are 2 weeks old. I am using the deep bedding method and studies show that deep bedding or litter will reduce cocci because it harbors good bacteria that eat it. So, in moving toward my goal of organic farming, I will switch to unmedicated chick starter. I only use medicated until they are up and free ranging- about 8-10 weeks. Then, they don't want the feed because they have found much better food out in the yard. The laying pellets I use are not medicated.

 

[Bluemoon420]

I feed medicated.

 

[me&thegals]

I feed nonmedicated. I just work really hard to keep them warm, dry and clean. Have lost very few chicks in the 100s we have raised.

I AM rethinking medicated feed for the turkey chicks we are getting in a month, though. I hear they are very susceptible to dying the first 7 weeks...