Non Medicated feed question?

[MineAlways]

The store only had non medicated feed when I went. I bought a 20lb bag of Dumore chick starter/grower
I didnt want to get the little tiny bags they had (5lbs) and this was the only thing they had.
So I guess my question is... how detrimental is it to get medicated. I only have 6 chicks. Not planning on getting anymore. There has never been poultry on my property. I am worried that they will get sick or something

My husband who years ago grew and raised birds (Parrots, Macaws and such) asurred me that it was okay and that the chicks would be fine on the unmedicated feed.

Thanks for any help

 

[evenstargirl]

I've read a lot of posts on this site from people who don't use medicated feed for chicks, so I don't think you need to be too worried.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

It is a personal preference. I currently use unmedicated organic chick starter and have no coccidiosis around. But in the past I have had a couple of batches of chicks get it. I have the medication in the cabinet, ready to go!

 

[featheredroots]

We don't use medicated feed either. Instead we put ACV and garlic in their water, and a little DE in their food to help build their immune systems, and prevent worms.

 

[Backyard Bantam]

Yes, it is a personal preference, some people believe that the medicated chick feed gives the chick a "Healthy Jump Start", while others believe that the medicated chick feed is like replacing the immune system, and that will actually make them less immune to diseases later. I personally don't use it, but there have been some cases when they got the disease coccidioses (mentioned above) and the chicks just start dropping like flies, day after day. And it is a really sad thing to see. I still wonder if I had used medicated chick feed, if that still would've happened?