Non-medicated feed? Whats the method?

[Michael Apple]

The article makes a few good points but is flawed. I can see fermented feed posing all sorts of bacterial problems. Pumpkin does not "de-worm" chickens. Medicated feed doesn't create a Thiamine deficiency, Thiamine deficient feed does. Chemical wormers don't create "super worms" anymore than cayenne pepper or pumpkin prevents them. The deep litter method is also a breeding ground for Favus and Aspergillosis in addition to the accumulation of mites.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

People tend to have really strong opinions about feed (among many other things I know I also feel strongly about the choices I have made and there are lots of food choices. Medicated vs non medicated. Layers vs. Non layer. Organic or not. and on and on and on. What I personally recommend is you read about what these chemicals actually do on a basic science level and then decide for yourself what is best for your flock and your situation.

My personal opinion based on a lot of reading is that the medication in medicated feed is only a mildly effective preventative and unnecessary for a small, well maintained backyard operation where living conditions are clean and healthy. I do not like to give medication where it is not needed. Good sanitation is the best preventative.

It is clear by searching the forums that people who use medicated feed still sometimes end up with cocci. Same with people who don't.

http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-coccidiosis.htm

If I were you I would start by doing your own research about what cocci is (it is a parasite not a bacteria) and what preventatives and treatments are available.

The most common medication in medicated feed is Amprolium. Amprolium is a preventative not a cure. It is a thiamine blocker. Thiamine is vitaminB1. This medication does not kill worms it prevents them from reproducing. Some medicated feeds also have antibiotics. I would be wary of those.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amprolium

http://www.mypetchicken.com/backyar...edicated-feed-all-about-do-I-need-it-H74.aspx

There are natural options that are available that are also preventatives and not cures and are also only mildly effective. Pumpkin is one of them. Pumpkin seeds are coated in a chemical called cucurbitacin which kills some by not all types of internal worms. I do not know if they kill cocci or not. Pumpkin and squash are commonly used for overall good digestive health, which is never a bad thing.

I have never read anything that indicated fermenting feed caused bacteria problems as this is the growth and promotion of GOOD bacteria. The goal with pumpkin, ACV and fermented feed is not to directly fight cocci but to naturally create a very healthy digestive tract in which it is difficult for cocci and other parasites to thrive. This is a pretty good explanation of AVC.

http://rawgirltoxicworld.com/2010/0...-cider-vinegar-a-parasite-killas-best-friend/

There is not necessarily a wrong choice, just whatever choice is best for you and your situation.

 

[Michael Apple]

Much depends on the age of the chicks. A constant supply of medicated feed can create problems in my opinion. There are also terrible brands of feed out there. An example of good quality chick starter/grower would be King Feeds Organic Starter/Grower and the tag can be viewed on their website. I have used medicated feed. Don't like it. That is why I prefer to use Amprolium in water, in a regimented way, and not constant. I have raised many chicks without health issues. Sometimes health issues are unavoidable due to bad genetics from inattentive breeding practices. Apple cider vinegar is a great supplement when used wisely.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I don't use medicated feed. Course I don't use organic feed either. I did opt for a soy free feed wich is only a dollar more per bag. I've never had sick chickens but if I did I'd treat them at the time of illness not use preventative. If you use medicated feed you only use it for first 8 weeks. I did this the first year then through reading found it's not necessary and works best for me with mixed ages of birds to just have them all on starter/grower crumbles as the new birds grow out. One feed is less storage and hassle to me. They all go back to layer once the new birds reach 20 weeks or more- when the last bag of feed runs out.

 

[jdywntr]

I don't use medicated feed. I do believe that giving unnecessary medications creates resistance (as can be seen in many, many things these days). I also don't feed organic. I would but if my birds were to become ill I would treat them with medications (if needed) and that makes organic feeding basically defunct. If you are medicating your animals, you can't (shouldn't) sell them as organic because they are not.

The best and easiest advice I've seen on the subject is feed medicated if you brood:
in warm, humid weather
a large quantity at a time
one batch after another
if your sanitation isn't great

 

[Michael Apple]

I don't use medicated feed. I do believe that giving unnecessary medications creates resistance (as can be seen in many, many things these days). I also don't feed organic. I would but if my birds were to become ill I would treat them with medications (if needed) and that makes organic feeding basically defunct. If you are medicating your animals, you can't (shouldn't) sell them as organic because they are not.

The best and easiest advice I've seen on the subject is feed medicated if you brood:
in warm, humid weather
a large quantity at a time
one batch after another
if your sanitation isn't great

Medications are necessary depending on the environment. There is no contradiction in using medicine wisely while feeding an organic ration. Anything not labeled organic in regard to livestock feed is GMO. Anyone who doesn't know the pitfalls and health issues attributed to GMO soy, corn, etc., should investigate it for themselves.

 

[Michael Apple]

It is also to my understanding that Thiamine is B1. Coccidia need B1 to multiply in the gut of birds. An analog isn't necessarily a complete "blocker" of B1. The strong efficacy of Amprolium against coccidiosis is due to the high affinity of the B1 transporting system of coccidia, which is 50 times greater than that of chickens.

With all these medications, it is when they are used improperly by people not following directions, that they can be a hindrance to health rather than a benefit.

 

[RonC]

I have never seen medicated feed with anything but amprolium added not that there may not be some others that do have. I am also not sure of the shelf life of medicated feed so it is possible that it could become ineffective if the feed was stored too long. I don't think this would be likely under normal circumstances. Michael Apple is correct about how the Amprolium works. It causes a vitamin deficency and they cannot thrive. Do your own research and make your own decision. Basically stick with a quality feed for your chickens. Hopefully coccidiosis will not be a problem.