Vaccines and Chick Starter

[MadamPoofyBrow]

Hey everyone!
I've got 20 chicks coming in the mail next week
They are coming from Murray McMurray, a place I have ordered from a couple of times before, but it has been awhile.
When I order from a hatchery, I always get them vaccinated for Marek's. But this time, they had the option to vaccinate for coccidiosis as well. At .20 cents a vaccine, I snatched it up. But, I've never had chicks with this vaccine before.
So, my question is this...
Will medicated chick starter give them more protection over anything at this point, or is it a complete waste? I feel like it's overkill after they've been vaccinated, but if it'll give even a little boost to their tiny immune systems then they might as well have it.
Thoughts?
Thanks everyone!

 

[thehenandchick01234]

I still feed medicated chick starter

 

[PippinTheChicken]

No don't feed medicated feed if they are vaccinated

 

[PippinTheChicken]

Found this online:
Feeding medicated feed to chicks that are also vaccinated for coccidia will negate the vaccine, so to do both is basically a waste of money, although it will not harm the chicks. The coccidia vaccine is a ”leaky” vaccine, meaning that 100% immunity is not possible.

 

[MadamPoofyBrow]

Thank you both! I had a vague memory about this, but it’s been too long. Guess I’ll skip the medicated feed this time - good to know!

 

[RevlisRemmah]

Thank you both! I had a vague memory about this, but it’s been too long. Guess I’ll skip the medicated feed this time - good to know!

Isnt that weird? That it cancels out? I had mine vaccinated too. They do put a little sticker on the box to remind you, which was nice!

 

[MadamPoofyBrow]

Isnt that weird? That it cancels out? I had mine vaccinated too. They do put a little sticker on the box to remind you, which was nice!

That is weird! If anybody can explain why that is I would love to know!
I saw that when they came in, warning against feeding medicated feed. I’m stumped for the reason, but glad for the info!

 

[Dottie the Chicken]

That is weird! If anybody can explain why that is I would love to know!
I saw that when they came in, warning against feeding medicated feed. I’m stumped for the reason, but glad for the info!

@Wyorp Rock do you know the answer?

 

[rosemarythyme]

The vaccine is a live vaccine, so chicks build up a resistance by being exposed to a tiny amount of the parasite. By feeding the medicated feed you can kill off the vaccine, which negates the point of having it.

I don't vaccinate or feed medicated feed. When I get chicks I make sure I have Corid on hand if treating for coccidiosis is necessary. My method of "vaccinating" is to naturally build up resistance by raising chicks on the ground to expose them to whatever's in the environment.

 

[abpatchy]

The coccidia immunization is actually a infection with weakend coccidia. That helps the chicks build up immunity when they get in contact with the real coccidia. You should actually try and keep them on the same bedding for 4-6 weeks so they keep ingesting the coccidia over and over again. At least leave some old bedding with the new.
You should also not feed oregano as that fights coccidia as well.
The reason you don't want to feed medicated feed is just simply it will kill the weakend coccidia as well as the bad.