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Newbie Question - Medicated vs Unmedicated

Discussion in 'Raising Baby Chicks' started by AlynaD, Mar 18, 2017.

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  1. Mar 18, 2017 #1
    AlynaD

    AlynaD Just Hatched

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    Ok so I have my babies (3 weeks old) on the Purina Starter/Grower formula medicated. I didn't intentionally choose medicated vs unmedicated as this is my first ever batch of chicks I got them kinda as a 'grab bag' in a special through our feed store where you buy a 25# bag of the feed and you get 5 chicks free. Pretty sweet deal considering the feed was only $10 for the 25# bag and 5 chicks would have been $20. That being said I am about half way through my first bag (I bought 2) and am trying to decide once I finish the second bag of medicated should I switch them to unmedicated feed or keep them on medicated until they get to the 18-20 week point where I would switch them to laying feed?
    TIA
     
  3. Mar 18, 2017 #2
    Pyxis

    Pyxis Dark Sider Premium Member

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    It's up to you. If you don't have a lot of cocci in your soil and the chicks aren't coming into contact with other birds or soil, you probably don't need medicated. Medicated feed is just to prevent coccidiosis. But if you do have a high cocci load in your area I'd keep them on it. Also if you just feel better having them on medicated that's fine too, it won't hurt anything.
     
  5. Mar 18, 2017 #3
    sdm111

    sdm111 Overrun With Chickens

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    Medicated won't prevent build up of cocci. It will help but it's not failsafe. Imo since you're new I would suggest keeping them on it cause by the time they are loaded up if it happens u may not see the signs and chicks die quick from it. Why not
     

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