OK to process birds that are on medicated feed

We wanted 30 days free of medicated feed and I couldn't get it at my coop either. So I bought layer feed and mixed about 14-16 pounds of soybean meal to each 50 pounds of layer feed to bring up the protein.

 

ladyfarmer10 where are you? Here in Nevada they only sell medicated feed for chickens, but I didn't want to feed my birds that so I've been buying the Purina Flock Raiser, which is for different kinds of poultry (turkeys, ducks, etc.) and so isn't medicated. I've compared the ingredients and the only difference I can see (other than the lack of medication) is that it is higher in protein (20%).

 

So places will order the non med. if you ask. Our Equity does that for me. Its worth a shot.

 

Quote:How old are your birds?? and what type? Personally nothing eats maedicated feed at my house escpecially my meat birds... I would say a minimum of two weeks but if its early enough go a whole month ... Also ask your feedstore to order you non medicated feed , or start reading the bags at the feed store , somtimes their is barely a difference form feed to feed and you can find somthing that would work better....

 

A month is a minimum at our house. It's all of our responsibilities to ensure that the medication in the meat birds is out of their system completely before consumption, even by other animals. The risk is that you'll help to create resistant strains of illnesses/bacteria that are hard to treat with the "normal" medicines. AFAIK, the medicated feed is used primarily by larger operations because it's the "easiest" way to cram a lot of animals in a small, confined space and not suffer losses in the short run. If you are just a backyard raiser of birds and don't force large numbers into small spaces, then you shouldn't have any need of medicated feeds or medicated water UNLESS you SEE actual symptoms of illness that must be treated.

Dan

 

Quote:In California, producers are required by law to use medicated feed. Which is why that is mostly all that is available here in Nevada - because virtually all of our feed comes from CA.

 

Why give a bird medicated feed if it isn't sick? Don't we have enough antibiotic-resistant diseases yet?

 

You could finish out with whole grains like cracked corn and oats if you don't want to feed medicated feeds. I would wait for at least two weeks, if not four.

You really don't have to raise these birds on broiler ration if you don't want to, you all. They get the same size in the same amount of time, no matter how you feed them, IME.