What to use instead of medicated feed?

[Lelilamom]

No feed suppliers in our area carry medicated starter. Does anyone know what I can mix into their starter mash that will boost their immune system? I have used oregano and cayenne in the past, but I've heard folks using Tumeric too. Anyone else add to their turkey starter? Chicks are 4 days old.

 

[nuthatched]

All medicated feed does is reduce the chance of coccidiosis, (it gas a thiamine inhibitor) just feed normal game bird starter and use Corid if they actually get coccidiosis.
Save the herbs and spices for cooking turkey.

 

[R2elk]

No feed suppliers in our area carry medicated starter. Does anyone know what I can mix into their starter mash that will boost their immune system? I have used oregano and cayenne in the past, but I've heard folks using Tumeric too. Anyone else add to their turkey starter? Chicks are 4 days old.

A good quality turkey or game bird starter has everything the poults need. As @nuthatched pointed out, the most common medicated starter contains amprolium as a preventative to coccidiosis. Amprolium and Corid are the same thing. It's only value is as a treatment for coccidiosis. Since it is a thiamine blocker, it is not good for turkey poults unless they have coccidiosis. They need the thiamine for proper development so only use it if necessary.

Purina makes a medicated game bird feed that "is formulated for the prevention of ulcerative enteritis in growing quail due to Clostridium colinum susceptible to Bacitracin Methlene Disalicylate." That starter does not have amprolium as the medication and is specifically formulated for quail.

It is okay to use a supplement added to their water such as Nutri-Drench. Adding other things is not good as they don't need it.