What's medicated?

[Bokker]

So I have 11 chicks that range in ages from 10 weeks to 14 weeks. Last week I added two layers to my flock. Integration has gone superbly well. But I have no idea how to handle the feeding. First off, I switched them all to dumor grower:finisher right before the hens were added. Is this a medicated feed? How do I tell? Someone told me that you cannot eat eggs for 2 weeks if the hens are on a medicated feed. I cannot find anything on the label or online. So frustrated!

Secondly, if it is medicated, what should I feed the mixed flock? Also, what about oyster shells--aren't chicks not supposed to eat it? I have no way of separating them. Will the layers be ok without a layer feed until the little ones are old enough? I read that chicks shouldn't have layer feed until 18 weeks. Please help!

 

[rosiekitty94]

I currently have a flock with 13 wk, 17 wk and 22 wk old girls. I just feed starter/grower (starter/finisher) to all and offer optional oyster shells scattered in the run. I tried the oyster shells in a bowl but the bedding kept getting kicked in over top. The younger pullets don't mess with the shells much anyway. I think that if you have the oyster shells, they need some grit to help them digest. If your girls free range, have a tractor or a sizable run with small stones available, you're fine. Also, any feed should say boldly on the label whether or not it's medicated. Hope this helped!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Most people with mixed age flocks feed an all ages food or a starter/grower food of around 18% protein to everyone, and have oyster shell on the side for the layers or just toss some in the run occasionally. The hens will eat what they need and the others will leave it alone. Most food is fairly similar except for protein% and then Layer with the extra calcium. Medicated feed is usually just chick starter with amprolium added for help with coccidia, it will say Medicated on the bag, often the bags are red in color also. No withdrawal time listed since it is a chick food. Amprolium is a vitamin B inhibitor, the USDA lists the limits for chicken and turkey eggs: (1) 8 parts per million in egg yolks. (2) 4 parts per million in whole eggs. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/animaldrugsatfda/details.cfm?dn=013-149
http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB...sidue_Limits_-_Report/2009/11/WC500010566.pdf Is the EMEA study on it.
http://www.amprol.com/Phibro/Company/Efficacy.html
* Since its listing as annex II drug (Official Journal of European Community, published July 18th, 2001) AMPROLIUM does not require an MRL when administered orally. Since 2001, a number of different companies have successfully registered therapeutic AMPROLIUM based products with zero day withdrawal periods in both eggs and poultry meat.

 

[chfite]

Medicated food should be labeled as medicated. Chickens that don't need the calcium from the oyster shell won't eat the shell.

Chris