Proper feed question

[new2chickens307]

We have one hen who was hatched in February and 4 younger birds hatched in May. We have been feeding a medicated chick starter thus far and have had to treat with Corid for coccidia. They just finished there third treatment (reoccuring bloody poop) and all seem healthy. It is time to buy another back of feed. My question is stick with the chick starter? Is that good enough for the older hen who should begin laying soon? Would a laying feed be too much for the younger birds? Please help me out with my conundrum if you have any suggestions, thanks

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Layer feed (approx. 4% calcium) is too much for 2 month old birds. That is not an option.

One shouldn't really be using medicated feed (amprolium) and also treating with Corid (more amprolium).

Medicated feed is a preventative to keep the population of the coccidia protozoa low by starving them of thiamine.
Corid is for the outbreak of coccidiosis. Medicated feed usually won't treat the condition so a heavier dose is needed.

Usually, keeping bedding bone dry and feeders full is all that is needed to prevent coccidiosis.
Coccidia can't replicate without a moist environment.

Other things can cause bloody diarrhea like blackhead and campylobacteriosis. Are there other symptoms?
Are they thin?

I would switch to a grower or all flock feed (1% calcium) and if you have more problems, treat with Corid again.
Have you had a fecal sample read to see if that is the problem?
Keep in mind that all outdoor animals will have some coccidia in their intestine.

 

[new2chickens307]

First of all thank you for responding.
We have had fecals performed and they were negative for coccidia but chicks were not improving and we kept losing them (6 passed away), vet had us treat with Corid. After treatment we supplemented water with probiotics and electrolyte vitiamin powder. We were directed to treat for 5 days two weeks off then another 3 days. At the beginning of second treatment another 2 passed away.
Things started looking up, we moved them to a new coop with all new bedding/ feeders/waters. Another bird came down with bloody poo. So we began another round of Corid, just finished that two days ago.

Vet advised to keep feeding medicated feed

I never questioned that.
Should I repeat Corid again in 2 weeks?
Thank you for your input again.

 

[Folly's place]

If it's not coccidia, amprolium isn't the answer. The medicated feed might still be a good idea, but if you can get a diagnosis that would be best, if you are still having deaths. If the survivors are doing well, continue the chick feed, and don't feed them the layer. Mary

 

[new2chickens307]

Is that adequate nutrition for the older hen?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I agree in that I doubt your problem is coccidiosis.

Since you have been losing birds, your best bet would be to send one to your state poultry lab for necropsy. That's the only way you'll know what the problem is and a way forward.

If a fecal sample didn't show a coccidia problem then stop treating for it.

If you tell us what state you're in we could direct you to a place for necropsy.

Any time you lose more than one, especially in short order, that's time for lab work.

Non-medicated starter feed would be good nutrition for a pullet. Your bird isn't an older hen, she's a point of lay pullet.
She doesn't need layer feed till she starts laying eggs. She doesn't even need it then if you provide another calcium source.
I would start putting out some oyster shell in a separate container so she can eat it if she feels the need. A little pre-lay calcium would do her good.

 

[new2chickens307]

We are in Wyoming, in the event that we do lose another it would be great to find an answer. The local vet seemed confident that the bloody stool, despite a positive fecal, was coccidiosis. I have been questioning that since we lost more birds following treatment.
Again thank you for the feed recommendations. One last question will oyster shell be alright for the younger hens if they eat it?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Chicks won't eat oyster shell. Or at least not enough to matter. Birds don't eat it unless they feel the need for more calcium.
Wyoming is a big state. At any rate, here's your lab, it's in Laramie.
Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory
1174 Snowy Range Road
Laramie, Wyoming 82070
Phone: 307-766-9929 Fax 307-721-2051