When to STOP feeding medicated starter?

[Wildsky]

Quote:
If I could have FOUND unmedicated feed, thats the way I would have gone, but there was nothing and still nothing like that at our feed store - its ALL medicated.

 

[SusanJoM]

Quote:
Hey, Dillygirl, I don't think the medication has anything to do with them being exposed to other chickens. I think the issue has to do with them not developing coccidiosis (sp?) from their own poop/feces in the water and in the brooder. And, for what it's worth, I've been told to keep them on the medicated stuff through week 16.....

I also have found a dearth of feeds for the space between starter and layer. I've read that the appropriate way to deal with that is to use a starter feed and lower the protein content by diluting it with some oats. The source I read, suggested that layer feed before they are actually laying is a bad idea because it has too much calcium....

There's a formula for figuring out exactly how much oats to add, and it has a name, but for the life of me I can't remember it right now.

Susan

 

[Dilly]

Makes sense since they do poop in the water. I think I change water more than anything else. I have it raised again and that is helping.

So what sort of oats? Quaker? lol
Also if you do it this way, then you are keeping them on a medicated starter with oats till they go on layer feed?

I tell you there are a ton of alternatives isn't there, very confusing, I agress we stress over these darn chicks more than I ever thought we would. Just always want to do what is best for our animals.

 

[SusanJoM]

Well, I think you want just whole oats. I bought a 50# sack. I think it's intended as horse feed. I thought I was going to plant some of it (well, I did plant some of it), but realized soon enough that I wasn't going to be able to keep with that program. So...guess I'll be feeding it to them in a while.

And I think the plan would be to find non-medicated starter after the 16 weeks.

But.....all I know is what I've read, and there is -- as you have pointed out -- a LOT of conflicting information.

I guess we all just do what seems right with what we can get and what we can learn. My kids are still young enough that I haven't had to figure out the transition myself.....but soon come, soon come....

Susan

 

[Stephen in SoKY]

Are you fokks still able to get medicated Purina Start & Grow? My dealer insists Purina tells him they've discontinued it????? I switched to Southern States, but they're more expensive than Purina if you can believe that! Anyone having problems getting medicated Purina other than me?

 

[S0rcy]

Quote:
Purina has not discontinued the product, both my major and rural farm supply stores are selling it. I chose Nutrena though.
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"Hi again, Is there a difference between starter and a starter grower."

When I looked at the labels, what I saw was an increasing amount of calcium. I could be wrong.

 

[Davaroo]

The breakdown is something like this:

Starter: 22-26% protein
Starter/Grower: 18-20% protein
Layer: 16-18% protein, w/ additional calcium
NOTE: DO NOT give layer feed to chicks. The extra calcium can cause them problems.

I'm generalizing here, as there is variety in the market. I buy a local feed from the mill which is different than Purina's product, which is different than Dumour's etc. There is certainly some textbook "perfect value," but just like with humans the textbook optimum is just that - a textbook value. There may be some legal requirement that producers have to adhere to, as well - but I doubt it. If so, I'd sure like to see it.

These numbers serve to illustrate the greater point about protein needs through the various stages of the chickens life.
Stick with a good ration, with a protein content within a point or two of these numbers and you can relax a little on that score.

'About medication in starter feed. It's there to combat the spread of coccidiosis, in the main. This parasitic disease can decimate a flock and chicks are highly susceptible to it. "Nip it in the bud," is the philosophy behind it's presence in chicks starter.

Is it absolutely neccessary? Maybe, maybe not.
But, what are you gonna serve by not offering it - holding your little chickies to some high-minded "organic" ideal, perhaps?

That's your choice, of course, but they know nothing of such things. Why not give them the "Better Living Through Chemistry" advantages YOU enjoy in everyday life?
It's become a standard, industry wide, for good reason and most starter feeds I'm familiar with include it.

RELAX is possibly the best advice you can get on this whole issue. After all the learnin', cussin' and discussin' is done, your choices have pretty much been taken care of for you:
Buy a good starter feed from a reputable maker and feed that, phasing in the next level at aout 1-2 months. After 4-5 months phase over to layer feed and dont look back until next season.

 

[speckledhen]

'About medication in starter feed. It's there to combat the spread of coccidiosis, in the main. This parasitic disease can decimate a flock and chicks are highly susceptible to it. "Nip it in the bud," is the philosophy behind it's presence in chicks starter.

Is it absolutely neccessary? Maybe, maybe not.
But, what are you gonna serve by not offering it - holding your little chickies to some high-minded "organic" ideal, perhaps?

You need to consider where you live when you decide on which side of the medication side to fall on, IMO. Dry areas are nowhere near as likely as I am to encounter cocci outbreaks. I have cocci, staff and all sorts of wonderful stuff in my soil to combat here in my juicy atmosphere. I dont like medication, but I dont put much stock into the organic movement in the first place and I dont relish a bunch of little chicks bleeding to death from their intestines anyway. So, I dont sweat it and I use medicated starter/grower -cant get grower around here, it's all combined. Even with that, once I had to treat for cocci anyway. Too much rain one season and a big hatch of chicks. Chicks were outside and in the open air and I was good with sanitation, but still got poop that started to look like raw wet hamburger. Ick. Don't think I'll go the UNmedicated route myself, just because of my particular situation.​

 

[Dilly]

I have absolutely NO problem with using medicated starter and DO. I was just concerned and asking when they chicks should be taken off medicated starter and moved to a grower or raiser feed.

I love this thread and the very detailed replies. I am sure many will benefit from your knowledge and opinions.

I was having a huge problem locally finding a raiser/grower with a 18-20 percent protein. That is what I want to switch over to slowly from the starter. Since I wasn't finding it, my thought was to stay on the starter as long as it is around 21 percent until they are old enough for the switch to layer.

Also I want and will keep them on crumbles NOT mash or pellet. So it wasn't as easy as I first thought when I went to and then started phoning feed stores.
Two stores that I went to, after being told yes we have a grower, turned into being layer feed loaded with calcium, even after I told them, not interested in layer. So as it is, I am happy to at least know what it is I want, and yes I finally found it, and it is ordered and being shipped.

THANKS to everyone for their help.
Dilly

 

[speckledhen]

I'm glad you are getting what you wanted. We almost have to educate the feedstore personnel every time we go there. It isn't that they dont know anything; it's that so much of what they do know just isnt true, LOL! Good luck with your babies, Dilly.