When to take chicks off medicated feed?

[Trish1974]

I have a group of 6 week old chicks who have been outside since 4 weeks of age. I was wondering how long I should keep them on MEDICATED feed?

 

[Coffeebean1947]

Following

 

[GC-Raptor]

I keep my day old Chicks on Medicated feed for 10 weeks. Then when bag runs out I switch to a Non-Medicated Starter-Grower or a All-Flock/Flock Raiser feed 18 to 20% Protein.
I continue to feed throughout Adulthood with a separate container of Oyster Shells offered after 16 weeks.
When I use to switch to a Layers feed. I would wait till they show signs of Laying (swollen Red Combs and Squatting when you put your hand over them) after 16 weeks.
It's best to follow directions on the feed tag, or back of small bags, because it can vary from Brand to Brand. GC

 

[Welding103]

I have a group of 6 week old chicks who have been outside since 4 weeks of age. I was wondering how long I should keep them on medicated feed?

Switch at 10 weeks to starter grower then at 18 to 20 weeks layer feed if t hbu ei are egg layers

 

[Timothy Menezes]

Medicated feed is necessary for commercial operations where the chicks are crowded and constantly in each other’s fecal matter. In a small setting like we have it’s easy to keep them much cleaner, greatly reducing the need for pumping them full of meds.

I typically don’t bother with it at all anymore, but when did, I just bought a tiny bag of it so it’s used up in 2 or 3 weeks. It’s ok as insurance when they are tiny and pecking at poo out of curiosity. Once past that stage, which is typically only about a week, then it’s totally not necessary in a reasonably clean environment.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have a group of 6 week old chicks who have been outside since 4 weeks of age. I was wondering how long I should keep them on MEDICATED feed?

I never use medicated feed... which just has low dose amprolium in it, and you may still need to treat. If you aren't over crowded or facing special pasture conditions.. switch when you run out of it or when you are comfortable.

I never ever switch to layer feed. Instead I use Purina flock raiser with 20% protein and offer oyster shell free choice on the side for those who need it. The 16% protein in "layer" is the minimum needed to keep a light bodied bird like Leghorn in laying condition. Dual purpose birds will do best with at least 18% protein. And the best hatch rates were shown at 22% protein which to me says more nutrition in the eggs my family is consuming. The only thing that layer has other feeds don't is the extra calcium.

Good luck!

 

[Timothy Menezes]

Best hatch rates at 22%? Interesting, guess my friend that feeds his layers Nutrena Meatbird 22% crumbles isn’t crazy after all. There’s certainly no denying that his birds are healthy and glossy looking.

Do you happen to have a link to that hatching rate study? Maybe I’ll try it to, I was looking at feeding Purina Gamebird Breeder. It’s 20% protien, with 3% calcium I believe.

 

[Blooie]

I never use medicated feed... which just has low dose amprolium in it, and you may still need to treat. If you aren't over crowded or facing special pasture conditions.. switch when you run out of it or when you are comfortable.

I never ever switch to layer feed. Instead I use Purina flock raiser with 20% protein and offer oyster shell free choice on the side for those who need it. The 16% protein in "layer" is the minimum needed to keep a light bodied bird like Leghorn in laying condition. Dual purpose birds will do best with at least 18% protein. And the best hatch rates were shown at 22% protein which to me says more nutrition in the eggs my family is consuming. The only thing that layer has other feeds don't is the extra calcium.

Good luck!

Me too.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Best hatch rates at 22%? Interesting, guess my friend that feeds his layers Nutrena Meatbird 22% crumbles isn’t crazy after all. There’s certainly no denying that his birds are healthy and glossy looking.

Do you happen to have a link to that hatching rate study? Maybe I’ll try it to, I was looking at feeding Purina Gamebird Breeder. It’s 20% protien, with 3% calcium I believe.

I will see if I can find it, but here is one link with great info. (it has a misprint in one of the tables that says 5-17% and should say 15-17%)
https://ucanr.edu/sites/poultry/files/186894.pdf

Feathers are made from 90% protein and it's amino acids. By feeding a higher nutrient (protein) feed (than layer), my birds seem to go through less hard molts, and or recover quicker, returning to lay sooner.

I have seen a chicken "breeder" formula that was 22%/4.

Game bird feeds *should* be higher in amino acids, which is actually part of the key to protein. I did try that Nutrena meat bird... think it was just so powdery might have been the reason I didn't buy it again. Sometimes I spend hours at the store reading labels. I liked that it was easier to carry in 40# bag verses 50#, and it was within cents/# as far as price goes... I stuck with the purina flock raiser mostly. Sometimes, I feed my chickens 30% protein Purina game bird and turkey starter crumble. So I wouldn't have any issue trying the game bird breeder. Since I'm often hatching and my roosters don't lay eggs is why I don't want the excess calcium mixed into my feed and put it on the side instead.

 

[Laura lts]

I have a group of 6 week old chicks who have been outside since 4 weeks of age. I was wondering how long I should keep them on MEDICATED feed?

Following this because I have the same question. My chicks are two weeks and I just bought my 2nd bag of medicated starter. I really wanted to get some organic but wasn’t sure how long they need medicated.