So, if I don't feed my chicks medicated food...they r as good as dead?

[ilovechickens]

I feed medicated, and a friend of mine feeds non-medicated. We both have very healthy chicks and chickens. I fed non-medicated last time I had chicks and they all lived and thrived, the thing that killed them was predator's

I live in a wooded area that is home to all kinds of chicken predators.

 

[mountaintopchicken]

I have never used medicated starter.

I have never had a problem.

I keep the brooder very clean, keep the chicks healthy, and everyone is fine.

I have also raised chicks with a broody on unmedicated starter, on ground that birds had been on for years, in chilly temps. But momma took good care of them, and they were incredibly rugged little things. No problem.

 

[DiVon80]

HI! I fed medicated the first 2 weeks(25# bag). Then went to a non medicated they are fine and growing. I also give leaves of romaine lettuce, some corn bred crumbles. I also give grit.

 

[dizzychicken]

WOW! Thanks for all the wonderful advice. I truly appreciate it.

I do have a few follow questions.

1. Any certain kind of cheese or greens?
2. What kind of antibotics do I need to treat with if they do get really high levels and are sick?
3. What are the signs to look for, that would suggest it is the cocci?

Again, I thank you so much for the information.

 

[txchickie]

I've never fed medicated food to my chicks or chickens. It's not available around here, that I have found. All of ours are totally healthy.

If I found medicated feed, it wouldn't bother me to feed it. I just don't

 

[Whispering Winds]

Quote:
Where do you get whey powder of this type? I am sure its not the stuff weight lifters use?

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

I have been feeding my chicks non-medicated because I have ducklings hatching today and next week, and you cant feed ducks medicated.

All of my chickens are out on the dirt ground, and so far, everybody is fine, no cocci.

 

[silkiechicken]

Quote:
A balanced diet is good for all animals.... so can't answer #1, as I avoid cheeses to chickens b/c of salt being bad for them.

2: Antibiotics will do nothing for cocci. It is NOT bacteria, as pointed out in this thread. It is a protozoa. Amprol or sulfa based drugs will work to treat cocci.

3: First signs are lethargic chicks, then chicks not eating, and in 95%of cases, bloody poo is the last sign.

 

[Uzuri]

MoodyChicken--will they drink whey itself, also? Or mixed with their water?

I'm a home cheesemaker, and if the whey will help their health, I'd sure sacrifice a gallon or ten

 

[firedove]

If it is just amprol than I am also allergic to that. That's pretty depressing. Someone had told me it was a sulfa drug that they used which explained my allergy nicely since I have always been allergic to sulfa drugs. So now I guess I have no medicated starter options.