Non-Medicated Crumble for Marek's vaccinated chicks?

[Chickiee]

Hi and Happy Valentine's Day!
I heard that if your chicks had the Marek's vaccine at the hatchery, then you don't use a medicated Chick Starter. Is this true? My options are the Sprout Chick Starter-Grower Medicated, or Non-Medicated, Crumble for our soon-to-be-here chicks next month.
Thank you!

 

[pips&peeps]

No, that is for chicks vaccinated for cocci.

 

[Chickiee]

Ok, great, so I can start them on the Medicated for the first week or two and then switch to Non-Medicated.
Thanks!

 

[Fred's Hens]

For the Cocci blocker in chick feed to work, it's best to feed it to them from week 4 through week 8. That is the period when are leaving their sterile brooder and they are coming in contact with the ground. That is the essential period to feed the blocker, which is all it is. It's not an anti-biotic, merely blocks the cocci from overwhelming their system. Once their own immune system strengthens, there's no benefit anymore.

Frankly, many folks don't feed the medicated at all. The organic minded folks use other means to introduce their chicks to soil, like putting a chunk of sod in the brooder.

 

[Chickiee]

Then do you start with the Non-Medicated from week 1 - week 4? Then week 4 - week 8 is Medicated? and then after week 8 back to Non-Medicated? I don't mean this to be confusing... just trying to get it straight. Thanks!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Most folks who feed medicated start with it and use it right up through 8-10 weeks.

 

[Chickiee]

Great! Thanks!!

 

[Vamvakas]

No, that is for chicks vaccinated for cocci.