What to feed our baby chicks

[riverside farms]

We have just received our very first batch of chicks. The supplier we purchased them from recommended medicated chick starter feed, which is what we are using. How long should we give them medicated feed? We really want to raise/sell all natural, free range, antibiotic and hormone free eggs. Have we nixed this already by feeding medicated feed?

 

[Judy]

Medicated feed is usually medicated with amprolium, which blocks thiamine uptake in cocci. It is not an antibiotic or a hormone. Usually it is fed until the chicks have been on the ground for a few weeks, or until it's time to switch to layer feed. Some places have a grower feed, fed after starter but before layer. If you use one of these, the label should have directions, or you could feed starter til 8 or 10 weeks, then grower til 10 weeks, then layer. However, there are other approaches to feeding chickens. You might want to check out some of the threads in the Feeding and Watering forum.

 

[riverside farms]

Thanks for the info. I will check out the forum to see te different feeding options.