Medicated feed will not prevent a respiratory infection.
It may, and only sometimes, prevent Coccidiosis. < I know
You need to purchase some poultry grit asap...especially since they are not eating JUST a chick starter.
By having all that fresh green material in the brooder they are probably eating it.
They need grit to break it up and sand is not grit. < I know. and not just poultry grit ..chick grit! I'm freaking that I don't have it and have not given them any food except a tiny bit of crushed rosemary and a quarter of a very crushed grape. I'm watching them constantly with their bedding and they are pecking at the tiny grass seeds only, and pecking at the longetivity spinach=I've given them a half a leaf of that maybe three times only..but they just pecked it and pulped it.. I've been putting lots of dirt of all different types for them to roll in and get grit from I hope! And getting some I hope today if I can get a ride to the feed store, before I feed them anything, I don't want to feed them scrambled eggs because I read the extra sulfer in the medicated feed and the eggs can hurt their livers..but I'd like to be able to give them some treats like oatmeal or whole wheat spagetti! Have not really yet except that one grape and Ill tell you the squable over that was a little too roudy if I give them grape again I'm seperating them and giving it to them individually maybe omgosh!! Oh..I gave them a tiny bit of baked acorn squash last night ..the tiniest bit, no butter salt or spices of course..
I secretly really hope you keep them on a complete chick feed and don't start making your own until you have researched for a good long time...I don't mean for this to sound harsh but I am years into my chicken keeping and I still don't feel comfortable enough/know enough to make my own 'balanced' feed. < Thank you..I won't feel so incompetent that it seems so difficult and if I can't take on the task then! If I don't feel confident I won't.
I am glad you are getting them into a bigger area today...being in too small of an area causes many problems. < They are already in a much bigger box than the one in the photo and yes much bigger boxes on their way! So far they seem very happy, healthy and content.
Good luck with them.
I didn't really want to because they can't see up/out as well now, they're so penned in looking now I'm afraid they'll get claustrophobic or something lol but they don't seem to be minding it
