Silkie thread!

[Fancychooklady]

so am I. Seems there's something missing in this communication lol

You asked if I was using it, I'm not sure why?

But it does say on the bag (of medicated chick starter, Purina) "when immunity is not desired"
Next time I'm at the feed store I'll have to take a picture of the bag.
Maybe it's just a CYA type thing.

I don't know about purina. I buy a 20 kg bag each month and mine simply says ' contains avatec as an aid in the prevention of coccidiosis.
Protein 20%
Calcium 1.2%
Lasalocid sodium (avatec) 90 mg/ kg.

 

[Fancychooklady]

I've never seen anything like that on my feed bags of starter, and I only use medicated.  Research has shown that periodically giving adults medicated starter helps maintain resistance to coccidiosis.

If you VACCINATE for coccidiosis, you should NOT feed medicated starter; maybe that is what the comment about immunity is referencing?

Good point. My momma hens are locked up with the chicks for 6 weeks and in that time they will also eat starter. But they generally don't lay in that time.

 

[subhanalah]

I don't know about purina. I buy a 20 kg bag each month and mine simply says ' contains avatec as an aid in the prevention of coccidiosis.
Protein 20%
Calcium 1.2%
Lasalocid sodium (avatec) 90 mg/ kg.

a-ha! It's amporillium here! Maybe that's the difference.
I should have saved the old bag of the stuff. It also had a disclaimer about vaccinated birds in addition to something along the lines of "to help prevent outbreak of coccidiosis where immunity is not desired."

 

[lzeynep]

Cool! I have two week old silkies too! We should watch how they grow togehter^.^

New silkie owner here!!

♡

♡ Picked up 2 week old white silkies from a local breeder today. So cute!!!

 

[Half Moon Ranch]

Good point. My momma hens are locked up with the chicks for 6 weeks and in that time they will also eat starter. But they generally don't lay in that time.

Ok, this brings to mind another question.
My breeder said to feed medicated starter to 8 weeks (chicks were not immunized against anything and I fed them Manna Pro). From 8 to 18 weeks she said to feed them grower (currently feeding them DuMor starter/grower 20%) and then to switch to layer.
I get that roos sbouldn't get the excess calcium, but since I have a mixed flock, how do I handle that?
I took a pic of the starter/grower to show the ingredients, so hopefully you can read it and let me know if this the right thing to be giving them.
Btw, we also started feeding them veggie scraps, giving them grit, a tiny bit of scratch and they've been eating the fall canker worms and Japanese beetles that venture into their run.

 

[Half Moon Ranch]

Confounded smartphone will not attach a file!

 

[kabhyper1]

I've got a broody again. What else is new. 9 eggs under her. I marked them all because the other girls have been trying to contribute to her efforts. Its a little maiden broody, so Im keeping an eye on her, but so far she is doing really well.

 

[Iluvmysilkies]

I wouldn't put her on layer feed until she starts to squat for you or lays an egg, that s just me though.

squats? I was told she is beginning to huddle down to be picked up and showing signs of laying soon but getting her laying is not a big deal to me right now. I just want to make sure she's eating healthy

 

[Iluvmysilkies]

As long as the other chickens don't feel left out - LOL.

Oh I hold the chicks to, i just like cuddling her cause shes so fluffy already

 

[Iluvmysilkies]

There are different scientifically balanced feeds for each stage in your chickens life. Chicks are on medicated chick starter to help build their immunity to coccocidiosis. After 6-8 weeks they move up to a ' grower feed ' minus the amprolium. Most of the information On age groups should be printed on the bag.
Be mindful that if you are feeding tables scraps as well , your chicken will be getting ample protein.
If your 5-6 month old is on medicated chick starter and she starts laying then you should throw the eggs out. Amprolium is a thiamine blocker and if she is on it for an extended period of time who knows what that is doing to her immunity.

She hasent started laying yet. But whats going to be healthier for her? I have leave her on this chick starter feed with the rest of the babies or put her on layer feed. I just want her to be healthy