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

[shawnm2639]

I have raised many peafowl and have lost some when I didn't feed medicated. I don't feed medicated to my chicks. Peafowl, Pheasents and Turkeys may just need it more.

 

[montana girl]

I have always used medicated, but hubby just accidently bought unmedicated.

The chicks are 3-6 weeks old.. so not sure what to do. They have already been outside for a few hours at a time over the past week or so.

Will probably just be really careful about clean coop and waterer and stick with the unmedicated. It does have me worried though.

 

[naturemom]

Unmedicated. I don't take medicine when I'm not sick, and neither do my animals.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I totally agree with this. However, I did vaccinate my children against common childhood illnesses, except for the pertussis vaccine which my daughter couldn't have.
The medication in medicated chick starter is alot like a vaccine. It doesn't cure anything. It aids in keeping the coccidiosis from overwhelming their systems and helps them develop immunity at the same time.

 

[ella]

I feed medicated, but only with Amprolium.

I researched it when starting out and found out all about it. It's not an antibiotic and doesn't interfere with the chicks developing a healthy immune system. It just ensures their young systems don't get overwhelmed with coccidiosis.

The damage caused by coccidia can permanantly scar the intestines of the affected birds, even if they survive they may never fully recover. Better safe than sorry.

 

[amartinlb]

Quote:
I agree with the vaccine analogy. Either way, the amount that is even added to the feed to me appears almost neglible how little of it is actually present...

And I just checked and you are right Amprolium is just a Coccidiostat, I don't know why I thought it was an anti-biotic...

-Anna

 

[Mahonri]

I feed regular chick starter mash and then grower crumbles.. I can't even find medicated feed in AZ

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

This is kind of a skewed poll.

I feed medicated feed, mostly because I dont believe in that organic stuff, when they are chicks.

I feed non-medicated feed to the older birds, and worm/treat as needed on a regular basis.

 

[Fancie]

I tried...... Then I started confusing myself

 

[EngieKisses]

I feed medicated for the first four weeks, then to the non medicated.