Need Advice About Medicated Feed

[mommto3kiddos]

Up until recently I didn't know you should feed your chicks medicated starter. When I got my first batch at TSC the guy told me it didn't matter, but after reading on here it seems feeding medicated starter is a good thing..

My older girls are 4 weeks old now and have never had medicated starter. Should I start offering them it now for another month? Would that give them immunity? Or should I go the route of placing the medication in their water people have mentioned on here?

Thanks in advanced!

 

[AlienChick]

If you feel you want to give them medicated feed, then buy a small bag of it and give it to them.
Can't hurt.

When I first purchase chicks, I just buy the small bag of medicated feed; and when that's all gone, I switch them over to regular chick starter.

 

[Yay Chicks!]

Not everyone feeds medicated starter. I did, but there are many that don't. I'm sure you will hear from some who don't about their experiences.

 

[Fred's Hens]

If you are going to bother, then follow the directions for its use, otherwise, there isn't much point.

It is fed (Purina anyhow) as a blocker against cocci. It only works if it is in the chicks feed from say, week 3 through week 8. In other words, before they are in contact with the ground and while they are beginning contact with the ground. It is a very small amount, just enough to allow their immune system time to build up against cocci. That's all it is. It does not treat cocci at all.

This depends upon the prevalence of exposure in your soil. It is carried by former chickens and also by wild birds. Whether or not to use it depends a lot upon your tolerance for loss of your young birds.

 

[gritsar]

Brooder raised chicks, from the hatchery/feed store, yes I feed it to build their immunity. Our climate is damp, humid and hot. Ripe for cocci in the soil.
Broody raised chicks I don't feed it to. They are gradually exposed to the coccidia through their mother's and other birds dropping. Works much the same way. Prevents the coccidia from overwhelming and potentially killing the chicks while their immune system does its work.

 

[gritsar]

Check out this thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=479907

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Agree.

My 3-4 day olds are in the coop, separated but let out with the others some, so I don't worry about it.