Should chicks be fed medicated feed verses plain starter..4 days old

[thepetpaw]

I have 29 guineas, 6 polish, 6 silver laced wyadonetts, 6 light brahmas, and 11 americanas...all are about 4 days old. I have a 50 lb bag of chick starter should I get the medicated starter. I dont hink mine is the medicated aty least when I bought it I didnt ask for medicated....Why do you feed medicated verses the reguler? What should I feed all these cute little fuzzy angels?

Your advice please.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

It's pretty much a personal choice and the medicated stuff is protection from cocci but not a gaurentee that they will NOT get it.

 

[SterlingAcres]

I've got un-medicated chick starter. I'm not all for antibotics and other junk. I plan to buy organic feed once this bag is gone.

Plus, I believe you can feed other birds (waterfowl and game birds) the un-medicated food.

 

[thepetpaw]

Thanks - I was worried that I was doing something wrong - I am already head over heels for these little critters - they are sooo adorable!

 

[Beekissed]

You will get varied opinions on this one! Some folks like medicated feed and think it helps keep them healthier during their baby growth.

Some people won't feed medicated or give medications unless a bird is sick and needs it. Some are going organic and won't feed, or give, any medication at all.

Me? I feed all my birds(even the babies) unmedicated laying mash, or pellets, mixed with crimped oats. No vaccinations, no medications. If they sicken or die (which none have ever done) they weren't fit to be in my flock in the first place. I put a little vinegar in their water the first week or so, then no more. Some people believe that the high calcium content in laying feed will hurt a chick's kidneys, so you have to follow your own heart on that one. I freerange and leave my coop open, so my birds have access to all feeders.

This is my first batch of hatchery chicks. So far very healthy, no pasty butt, no illness or death. Just very big, healthy and active birds running everywhere...bright eyed and bushy...er, feathery tailed!

 

[silkiechicken]

I've done it both ways. Just introduce them to the soil early on to help them build immunity. If your medicated feed is amprolium only, it has no withdrawal time and it's function is to prevent the replication of the cocci protozoa to help the chicks gain an immunity to the cocci. .