When to stop feeding medicated starter

[wordgirl]

We've been feeding a starter/grower with a cocciostat since day 1, and the chicks will be 7 weeks next Monday. When should we make the switch from medicated to non-medicated? Should we switch now, or continue feeding medicated until layer crumble? When do they get good immunity to coccidiosis?

 

[gritsar]

If you can find the non-medicated grower you can switch them now. Most medicated starter brands I've seen recommend feeding it for the first 6 to 8 weeks.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Start weaning them. Use a 50/50 starter to either poultry grain or game grower.

I personally use poultry grain as it gives them something to do with their digestive system.

after a week or so go to the feed you are going to use. Keep the starter on hand for a sick or injured bird. They always remember their starter and they will always like it.

 

[wordgirl]

The non-medicated stuff is I think the same formula as the medicated, barring the medication. They're both starter/grower. Should we still make the switch?

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Yes, your babies need to start growing the bacteria needed for digesting adult food. Many people on this site use baby enfamil or yogurt to give their babies a "kick start".

I think the poultry grain has enough bacterium to get the job done. You can mix 25 percent of this in and I sure it will work.

Remember, adult chickens are actually a pretty gross animal. They eat things you would rather not know about. I mean take a look at the poop that come out of some of them yuck !!

 

[Judy]

We only have a medicated starter/grower available here. It is to be fed til they need layer, when they start laying, or around 4-5 months.

The medication will not harm layers or eggs, assuming the med is amprolium. If your medicated starter/grower is medicated with an antibioitic, however, I would find another feed store.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

I give my chicks 1 bag of medicated and then I switch over to Purina Flock Raiser which I feed to everybody. Has worked well for me for 3 years now.