When to STOP feeding medicated starter?

[Dilly]

Quote:
I have never in my life had this sort of problem with finding feed. So I know exactly what you mean by the continual education of the employees.
I was so frustrated yesterday after a trip to two stores and coming home empty handed after being told they carried said product, so I hit the internet and started researchng lables and tracking stores to check on availability.
I am still not going to be happy till I have it in my hot little hands. lol

Thanks specklehen.

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

Dilly:

Where are you located?

Jim

Quote:

 

[Dilly]

Northern California.

 

[Stephen in SoKY]

I drove 43 miles one way (In a Suburban) because they assured me over the phone their starter was medicated, only to arrive & find it wasn't medicated. I feel eveyone's frustration with feed store help in my wallet. In Southern Kentucky there's NO medicated Purina Start & Grow to be found. I mean anywhere in 5 large counties. Geez, another reason to be disapointed with Purina.

 

[Lonomakana]

My chicks are 6 and 8 weeks old. I have them on layer crumbles as of one week ago. I just couldn't find starter at any of the three feed stores (Big Island, Hawaii). They are out in the coop but I let them out to eat bugs and stuff daily. I figure that they are getting their protein. Is there anything else I should be giving them? I'm chicken sitting my neighbor's hens, too, so I steal some corn scratch for my chicks. If I could only get them to eat some of the hundreds of mangoes that have fallen off of my tree (Common/50 ft tall).

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Very helpful post!

 

[CathyB]

Gald I found this thread! I was going to make my DH go back to the feed store. I have been using Purina Sunfresh Medicated Start and Grow. I wanted to get the unmedicated this time since they are 11 weeks already! DH came home with medicated. Now after reading this, I will use it all up and next time I go they should be ready fro Layena!

 

[SusanJoM]

Quote:
I don't quite know what to suggest, but I think that the issue with layer for the youngsters is that there is an excess of calcium in it. The layers need it, but it's a bit too much for the younger chicks. That said, I have no solution for your concern.

Susan

 

[brandywine]

I bought my chicks from McMurray's vaccinated for coccidiosis. Instructions were very clear -- no medicated feed, it will "nullify" the vaccine.

Absolutely the only place that has non-medicated chick starter is Tractor Supply. Every place else looks at me like I've grown a comb and wattles when I ask. I've had two employees at different places tell me there is no such thing, doesn't exist, and one guy on the phone yelled at me for asking, like I'd suggested something obscene.

Fortunately, Tractor Supply is not too far away. The feed is a 20% starter/grower, which is a little lower in protein than I'd wanted, but it's available. I always prefer to deal with local businesses over chains, but they continually disappoint with poor customer service and bad stocking.

Although organic feed is not available locally, I can still avoid unnecessary drugs in my food. Why have my own layers and meat birds if I can't control what they ingest and improve on Perdue? Near-universal use of anti-protozoals in the poultry industry has already created drug-resistant strains of Eimaria. I don't need to replicate that bit of natural-selection-in-action on my farm.

So far, so good.

 

[my first peepers]

I have been facing this same issue in rural VT. I've been on the tour de feedstore. I'm sorry to complain but this is really frustrating! Aren't they called feedstores because they sell feed? Don't even get me started on the FOODGRADE DE! One guy flat out told me there is no such thing!
Thank you knowledgable BYCers, without you I would be lost and confused!