When to STOP feeding medicated starter?

[Hiedi]

My pullets are almost twelve weeks old. My intentions were to take them off the medicated feed because I read that chicks should not be on medicated feed past twelve weeks. I know; there is so much conflicting information out there. Anyway...I asked the person at the farm supply store to order me a bag of Purina Mills - Flock Raiser. I was under the impression that it was unmedicated because there is nothing on the package that states anything about medication, like the Start & Grow which has big bold print right on the front "medicated". Well, I patiently waited for my fresh bag of feed to arrive. To my surprise, in tiny little (microscopic) letters it says on the sewn in label that it has Amprolium in it. I was so angry about that, after paying that amount and already opening the bag; I called Purina Mills to let them know how I felt. The customer service lady said, "that is their legal documentation". Whatever...so now I am back to square one. By the way, I am done with Purina Mills.

 

[mbleily]

I am feeding my flock raiser too and they are now 16 weeks old. I thought that it didnt have medication in it. I tried to read on it but didnt see anything about it. I am also mad. However I am also feeding them layer so they are not getting as much as they were to start with. I can't justify throwing away the half a bag I have. It hasn't killed them so far so I guess they will have to live with it.

 

[chikenlady]

How do you guys handle feeding the roosters when you need to switch to layer food. Will the calcium hurt them?

 

[Hiedi]

Quote:
Did you look on the white sewn in label? That is where the Flock Raiser I bought says that it has medication in it (in very small lettering), the same medication at the same strength as Start & Grow. I called Purina Mills and confirmed this information.

My opinion why Purina Mills does not put this information right on the package where it is plain and obvious to the customer: the package clearly says Flock Raiser is made for "free-range and confined chickens, ducks, and geese", and also turkeys; that is the way they market their product. However, on the white sewn in label, it has some conflicting information in small lettering, "Note: Amprolium 0.0125% in Flock Raiser MP .0125% has not been approved for ducks or geese and should not be fed as a medication to these species." The white label also says in very small letters, "this product is to be fed only to the animal species as directed on this label." Apparently, the white label (legally) overrides what is on (or not on) the package. At least that was the impression I got from the customer service lady who told me that the white label was their “legal documentation”. I believe this is some kind of a legal maneuver on the part of Purina Mills because Amprolium (apparently) has not been approved for ducks and geese. Anyway…that is my theory.

PS - I am glad to hear that yours are doing well on the Flock Raiser. I will probably go ahead and feed this to mine as well because I have already invested too much money in the feed.

 

[Chick_a_dee]

My chicks are on Masterline/Masterfeeds Starter-Grower with Amprol, at 18% protein I believe, we drive out of our way to buy from a privately owned masterfeeds dealer/feedmill, because we always get the best from him. He suggested we feed the medicated until 18 - 20 weeks, then start layer, and he's a stickler for quality.

 

[KLH2010]

I'm really confused about the FlockRaiser. I have a bag of it here in front of me and I don't see anything about medication...even on the white label. I wonder if there was some sort of mistake on yours? That's really strange.

 

[Hiedi]

Quote:
The lady I talked to at Purina Mills told me that Flock Raiser does have medication in it. Here is the number: (800) 227-8941. Perhaps there is a medicated and nonmedicated version of Flock Raiser. I know the Purina Mills has a medicated and nonmedicated version of Start & Grow, but most stores only sell the medicated.

Edit: this thread mentions medicated Flock Raiser.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=62519

 

[mbleily]

My bag didn't have a white label on it. I was trying to find it to read on it when I got it. I read the back of the thing and even went to the purina site and they don't list the ing. BAAA. My chickens are getting ready to lay in fact my SIL who has part of these chicks has already got two eggs from one of her chicks. So I am upset. I guess I will stop that feed since I have only about a forth of a bag.....

 

[snowchicken]

To add to your medicated feed woes and queries...
My chickens are nearly 18 weeks old which is when I was told to switch from medicated grower crumbles to layer pellets.
I still have a load of medicated grower crumbles to use up. Can I buy layer pellets and mix the two up?
If the chickens begin to lay, is there a problem with the medication (ie. the coccidiostat) affecting the eggs for human consumption?

P.S. New to this forum...but have had chooks for 10 years or so. My oldest one is 8!! (looked after by my mum, along with a geriatric rabbit).

Appreciate the help.

 

[B2Woodstock]

Hi again, Is there a difference between starter and a starter grower.

Another concern since we will not be adding chickens and exposing ours, wouldn't the medicated feed be an upset to the natural balance of intestinal health? You know the correct flora and all that.
Just thinking out loud, I know with other animals you do not keep them as with humans on antibiotics as that can decrease and compromise the immune systems. How does all this work with Chickens?

I was also thinking the same thing about the medicated. The girl at the store said you don't really need it since the chicks just arrived... I researched it a little and found once they get in the lawn and outdoors they would be more susceptible to C... so I am mixing 50/50 with nonmedicated until someone with scientific knowledge can answer this question.