oh no!! wrong food bought for my new chicks-help

[sonew123]

My DH bought chick starter food NOT the kind with the antibiotics in it-what do I do now? Our chicks hatched last night-2 of them so far? DO they NEED the antibiotic food if I keep them spotless and their brooder too- ( I would anyway) but seriously I'm new at this-got everything but the correct starter food and that place is an hour away-Help

 

[farmgirlie1031]

They don't have to have medicated. Some people use medicated to help prevent disease. As long as it is for chicks you should be fine.

 

[speckledhen]

The meds are not antibiotics, but only a thiamine blocker to combat cocci. You can feed it to them and get the one with amprolium later on or just continue to feed that one.

 

[miss_jayne]

you don't have to give them medicated food. i personally don't, i want them to develop immunities on their own.

 

[TXmom]

Lots of people use non-medicated starter food and their chicks are just fine. I use medicated to prevent coccidiosis, but you can just keep them clean and watch their poo. Read about the symptoms of coccidiosis (including bloody poo) and watch for it so you know if you need to treat it.

 

[sonew123]

yeah thank you so much!!!

 

[debilorrah]

We use non-medicated chick start - you will be fine....

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

We've always used non-medicated and never lost any chicks in the brooder at all.

 

[Jenski]

I use non-medicated as well. There are arguments both ways, and both have valid cases.

I am already slowly introducing my chicks to outside soil by allowing tiny amounts of soil in the brooder cages each week. Just my own preference.

Good luck, don't worry, and enjoy your chicks!

 

[daisychick]

They will be ok with what you have. Just feed that bag and then if you want medicated food you can give it to them the next bag you buy.