New to Chickens - Is illness common with small, backyard flocks?

[TwoCrows]

Well .... there are pros and cons I would expect. If its antibacterial food, then it will kill beneficial bacteria as well as problematic bacteria - so that might not be very useful. On the other hand, I do not have any other birds - none in the house or pets outside, other than wild birds flitting about. Our chicks - which we hope to get in January, will spent their first month inside the house in a large dog crate brooder - we have one dog and two cats who are pretty healthy - save for my dog's allergies - which is not contagious.

Medicated feed contains Amprolium, a coccidostat. It is a thiamine blocker. This medicated feed only works to kill off coccidia, responsible for coccidiosis in young poultry. It does not kill any bacteria or other issues in poultry.

As babies grow, their bodies learn to handle this protazoa and gain immunity. Either they grow this immunity in the brooder on regular feed or after the babies are removed from this feed at 6 weeks.

 

[Seatrout00]

That is VERY helpful! Thank you both so much. I will def be getting medicated chick feed. I remember coccidea being a real pain when I kept reptiles - in young and old animals. I am very excited to learn about this to perhaps thwart problems with this bacteria from day one.

 

[Sutremaine]

Look into getting an electric hen -- Ecoglow sell chick brooders, but you can make your own from a heating mat with some insulation on top and some space underneath. You can leave them outside, and they'll run in and out of their cosy cave as necessary. I've heard that chicks put out a lot of smell and dust for such small creatures.

 

[MeepBeep]

That is VERY helpful! Thank you both so much. I will def be getting medicated chick feed. I remember coccidea being a real pain when I kept reptiles - in young and old animals. I am very excited to learn about this to perhaps thwart problems with this bacteria from day one.

Coccidia are parasites (protozoa) not bacteria...

 

[Seatrout00]

Coccidia are parasites (protozoa) not bacteria...

*facepalm* Thank you.