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Poults And Medicated Feed???

Discussion in 'Turkeys' started by TarHeelBlue, Mar 13, 2011.

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  1. Mar 13, 2011 #1
    TarHeelBlue

    TarHeelBlue Chillin' With My Peeps

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    I have 3 poults that are 3 weeks old. I need to move them in with some chicks that are 2 weeks old. I have been told that you can't give turkey poults the same feed as baby chicks because of the antibiotics - Is that true?? I know they need more protein, and have been giving them the right food, but when I put them together they will have access to the chick feed too. Will this hurt them now?? Or should I find a way to keep them separated????
     
  3. Mar 13, 2011 #2
    ColbyNTX

    ColbyNTX Chillin' With My Peeps

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    I always feed all my new borns, keets, poults, chicks and ducks the purina medicated chick feed. It is also mixed 50/50 with purina gamebird startena. That makes the feed 25% protein. I have never had any problem with the medicated feed. Some people say not to use it because they feel it is overmedicating chicks who sometimes don't need it but how do you know who does and who doesn't? If that's what you have then feed it but the turkeys will do better a bit more protein.
     
  5. Mar 13, 2011 #3
    vtgirls

    vtgirls Chillin' With My Peeps

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    we feed organic only, no medicated anything at all, ever. only thing is we add cider vinegar (a smidge) to the water. everyone is healthy here - chickens and turkeys. offer both feeds and it should all balance out, especially if your birds have access to pasture and can free range some or all of the time.
     
  7. Mar 13, 2011 #4
    TarHeelBlue

    TarHeelBlue Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Thanks guys. That helps me tremendously!!
     
  9. Mar 13, 2011 #5
    pampered_poultry

    pampered_poultry Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Raising wild turkeys just over 5 years... use Purina Medicated feed and electrolytes in the water until about 6 -8 weeks.... then on to Purina layer crumbles. BTW - my chicks eat right beside my poults with no issues.

    Very very rare that I lose a poult or chick.

    Hope this helps.
     
  11. Mar 13, 2011 #6
    Steve_of_sandspoultry

    Steve_of_sandspoultry Overrun With Chickens

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    Poults need a higher protien feed than chicks to thrive. We feed ours a medicated 28% protien sporting bird starter. the chicks get a medicated 20% start n grow. Medicated feed is no problem for poults.

    Steve
     
  13. Mar 15, 2011 #7
    Frosty

    Frosty Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Medicated feed doesn't have antibiotics, it's usually amprolium which is a coccidiostat.
     
  15. Mar 16, 2011 #8
    kuntrygirl

    kuntrygirl Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

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    Does Tractor Supply sell gamebird starter or turkey feed for poults? I don't ever see any in our store.
     
  17. Mar 16, 2011 #9
    Steve_of_sandspoultry

    Steve_of_sandspoultry Overrun With Chickens

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    Quote:Ours doesn't, the highest protien they carry is 24%. Do you have a Southern States feed store near you? That's where we get our 28% sporting bird starter from.

    Steve
     
  19. Mar 16, 2011 #10
    kuntrygirl

    kuntrygirl Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

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    Quote:Ours doesn't, the highest protien they carry is 24%. Do you have a Southern States feed store near you? That's where we get our 28% sporting bird starter from.

    Steve

    We don't have Southern States feed store but we have a feed store that sells Wild Game Bird Startena and it has 30% protein. I usually get this feed when my poults hatched but I didn't want to go to 2 different stores to get feed today but looks like I have no choice. I have never fed my poults anything lower than this 30% protein. Is 30% too high? Can I go lower? If so, what would you suggest? Thanks for your input.
     
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