Raising these birds?

[AllForTheExperience]

Hello! I just got 4 chicks from Tractor Supply & after reading (alot), I've learned they do not vaccinate(did not even know that was a thing). Also learned there's medicated food I can get. Now we are trying to spend the LEAST amount of money possible on this venture. Now in one of the brooders at the store one of the chicks was dead that I got 2 of my chicks from(I know, I shouldn't of even got any from that bin, but wanted variety). Do I really need to feed medicated food? Also I've seen a tiny white bug on one of the chicks. Should I really sprinkle Sevin dust on them? Or wait it out & see if I notice anything going wrong with them? Thank you!!

 

[LikeTurkeys]

Medicated feed contains the chemical Amprollium which prevents coccidiosis. It is up to you whether you want to have that extra bit of insurance, but I've always used non-medicated and never had a problem.

The little white bug could have been anything really, so unless you see signs of a severe infestation, I wouldn't treat.

Some chicks just don't make it, so I wouldn't worry about the dead one in the brooder that much. Now if it were more than one, then I might be concerned.

 

[Zan]

I used medicated for the first week or so, then switch. Most of the time, lol. I've raised babies on both medicated and un-medicated and don't really notice a difference.

Ditto LikeTurkeys on the bug. Just keep an eye on them and treat if there are more bugs.

 

[AllForTheExperience]

Thank you both!! I ordered some medicated food, so we'll try that out & we'll just wait & see on the possible lice/mites. Now we've just got to put together a coop!We have a very large cage, a run with no house, & a dog kennel...and some scrap wood. This should be interesting!!