Thoughts on medicated feed and vit. deficiency

[PiperJane]

Hi all, that time of year again! New chicks are coming in 2 weeks and we're going back and forth on medicated or non medicated feed. We skipped newbies last year but the previous two years we had issues with curling toes. We've always fed medicated as we have alot of wild birds and a neighbor with chickens (and I'm sure my husband isn't the best with bio security if I'm not watching lol). When I've previously asked about the toe situation it was usually suggested that it was probably the feed causing the problem because it blocks vitamin b's/thiamin. Luckily all the "deformed" chicks went on to live a good life but their feet look terrible, I feel bad. We did try poultry cell if we saw the curls coming and I would say it helped a bit but not enough. So, my question is, if we stay with feeding medicated, is there anything we can do to hinder the curling? I would think I can't do poultry cell long term along with the feed as they would block out each other, right? Maybe it's not even caused by the feed but I find it strange that it happened more than once. We used Purina if that makes a difference. Any suggestions would be welcomed, I'd like to stick with medicated but I'd also like them to have nice feet, ha ha. We're getting 24 this time (our largest order) and I want them all to be healthy! Thanks!!!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The only thing most medicated feed is for is controlling oubreaks of coccidiosis. The presence of wild birds won't affect how many coccidia oocysts the chickens ingest. They are in the soil whether there is one wild bird or millions.
Personally, in all the years I've raised chickens, I've only fed medicated feed once on purpose. I ended up with a bag accidentally another time.
Curled toes can be genetic, faulty incubation or Riboflavin deficiency. Riboflavin isn't affected by Amprolium (the medication in medicated feed) Amprolium is a thiamin blocker.
Thiamin is B1
Riboflavin is B2
Might be time to investigate the toe issue further.
Coccidia is fairly easy to control by keeping the bedding fresh and bone dry.

 

[NatJ]

The only thing most medicated feed is for is controlling oubreaks of coccidiosis.

Coccidia is fairly easy to control by keeping the bedding fresh and bone dry.

You can also buy amprolium (same medication) in a bottle to put in the water if needed. The usual brand name in the USA is Corid.

So you can feed unmedicated feed, supplement any B vitamins you want, and just watch for symptoms of coccidiosis. If you see symptoms, stop any supplemental vitamins, and put Corid in their water according to the directions on the package.

You might be happier buying the Corid when you buy your other chick supplies, so you know you can give it immediately if there is a need.

Note, if you put Corid in their water to treat coccidiosis, put it in all sources of water, so they have no choice about drinking it. If you put things in their water at other times, like electrolytes or supplemental vitamins, you should provide a source of plain water too so the chickens can self-regulate how much of which they get.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I was going to comments, but @ChickenCanoe and @NatJ have covered it more than adequately. SO...

 

[Ridgerunner]

The way I understand this, you got chicks twice and they wound up with crooked toes each time. Was it most of the chicks or just one or two? Were these the same breed from the same source or was there a difference? The question is if it is genetic or is it something happening after you get them? If they are from different sources it is probably not genetic.

If the medicine in your medicated feed is Amprolium then it is only for Coccidiosis. If the medicine is anything else then what I'm going to say does not apply but with Purina it is probably Amprolium. You can look on the label to see if there is anything else there.

You don't say if you have ever experienced any problems with Coccidiosis. If you have had Coccidiosis then it is a known risk and should be accounted for. If you have never seen it then it may or may not be a risk. Curled toes appear to be a risk for you.

Many of us do not use medicated feed. Coccidiosis is present in my flock but it is not a problem. I keep things dry enough that they do not get an overload of the bug that causes the problems.

My suggestion it to not feed them medicated feed. See if that has any effect on the curled toes. Keep a close eye on them and if you see any hint of Coccidiosis treat them with Corid. Deal with your known problem (the toes) and be prepared to deal with one that might or might not occur.

 

[PiperJane]

The only thing most medicated feed is for is controlling oubreaks of coccidiosis. The presence of wild birds won't affect how many coccidia oocysts the chickens ingest. They are in the soil whether there is one wild bird or millions.
Personally, in all the years I've raised chickens, I've only fed medicated feed once on purpose. I ended up with a bag accidentally another time.
Curled toes can be genetic, faulty incubation or Riboflavin deficiency. Riboflavin isn't affected by Amprolium (the medication in medicated feed) Amprolium is a thiamin blocker.
Thiamin is B1
Riboflavin is B2
Might be time to investigate the toe issue further.
Coccidia is fairly easy to control by keeping the bedding fresh and bone dry.

Thanks for the info - the birds came from different hatcheries so probably not genetic. Anytime I asked on forums (probably here as well) most answers were geared towards vitamin deficiency because of the feed so that's how I leaned. I wish I could do the feed and give vitamins as well but I know it won't work. We always keep everything super clean so not worried about that too much, I'm just generally worried it that makes sense, lol.

 

[PiperJane]

The way I understand this, you got chicks twice and they wound up with crooked toes each time. Was it most of the chicks or just one or two? Were these the same breed from the same source or was there a difference? The question is if it is genetic or is it something happening after you get them? If they are from different sources it is probably not genetic.

If the medicine in your medicated feed is Amprolium then it is only for Coccidiosis. If the medicine is anything else then what I'm going to say does not apply but with Purina it is probably Amprolium. You can look on the label to see if there is anything else there.

You don't say if you have ever experienced any problems with Coccidiosis. If you have had Coccidiosis then it is a known risk and should be accounted for. If you have never seen it then it may or may not be a risk. Curled toes appear to be a risk for you.

Many of us do not use medicated feed. Coccidiosis is present in my flock but it is not a problem. I keep things dry enough that they do not get an overload of the bug that causes the problems.

My suggestion it to not feed them medicated feed. See if that has any effect on the curled toes. Keep a close eye on them and if you see any hint of Coccidiosis treat them with Corid. Deal with your known problem (the toes) and be prepared to deal with one that might or might not occur.

Good idea, from you and others - we've never had coccidiosis as we keep things clean and dry but I know there's a first time for everything and I'd prefer to keep it at bay. I replied back to ChickenCanoe that it's not genetic as they've come from different hatcheries...it's never been all the chicks but quite a few thru the years which makes me think it's something we're doing. We've always fed medicated so that seems like it might be a red flag, but not sure how or why. Different breeds.
Thanks for your opinion, I'm taking everyone's suggestions to heart, we've got to run to the store this weekend for supplies and guess we'll decide then. I just want to do the best for them. Once they're mostly grown we'll probably sell a few and want them all to be nice and healthy. We bought more than planned as we usually buy just what we think we'll want and end up losing one or one of the older girls passes on. Trying to stay ahead of the game as this winter sucks for eggs, we are usually getting back to normal by now but still only getting one or two a day from 18 girls. My customers are chomping at the bit!