Medicating and/or vaccinating those new peeps?

[MareeZoCool]

My hen has 3 new peeps, hatched out last Thurs, Fri & Sat. We have followed advice from friends & neighbors, "let mother hen take care of her peeps, no need for your purchasing special feed." These peeps are living with mom in her private coop/run. Should we ignore this old advice and buy some medication? I'd rather be safe than sorry!

I know this is late(almost a week old for these peeps!) I'd appreciate & trust any advice from the members of this forum,please.

 

[easttxchick]

I guess I really don't understand your question and your neighbors' advice.
I would definitely put some medicated chick start and clean water in reach of the babies. As far as vaccinating, that is absolutely your personal choice.
Sorry if that doesn't answer your question.

 

[clucky2]

I agree that mamma knows best. Babies raised by real mothers are remarkably tolerant to chilly temperatures. Does this mean they're also more resistant to disease? Maybe....I don't know!
My silkie just raised a brood on medicated feed, and that's what I'd recommend for safety's sake.

If you decide not to do that, one option I just learned ( from our feed store chicken guy ) is to put 2T of apple cider venegar in 1 gal. water. Something about the acidity keeps the chance for coccidiosis down. Change the water every day.

But I'd have them on a medicated starter. It's fine for mamma too. They only need it for 8-9 weeks. And make sure that they're not eating any layer. The calcium is bad for thier developing kidneys.