How long medicated chick feed

My other 6 girls never were on medicated feed to start. Just wonderin' Dec 10, 19 Vancouver, Wa. It might vary by brand. I feed this to them until they are about 18 weeks old. Then I buy 1 bag of Purina Flock Raiser for about 20 chicks.

When this is gone I then switch to Purina Layena Layer pellets. Ridgerunner Crossing the Road 12 Years. Feb 2, 28, 22, Southeast Louisiana. Before you can talk about "medicated" feed, you need to know what the medicine is that makes it medicated. Some are related to coccodiosis only and have nothing to do with anything else.

These are even split into types that allow the chicks to develop and immunity and those that don't allow them to develop immunity. There are some that may work on other things than coccidiosis. There are some that handle coccidiosis plus other things. When I go to the medicine cabinet to get some medicine, I look to see what kind of medicine it is before I take it. You should be able to get some pretty good information by reading what is on the bag, but you might need to do a little more research to know what you are dealing with.

The words coccidiostat and coccidiocide are good clues. Coccidiostats allow immunity to develop. Coccidiocides do not allow immunity to develop. With all that said, a majority of chick feed sold as medicated contains an Amprolium-like product in a concentration that, if that is all they eat, will help reduce the chances of them getting coccidiosis and will allow them to develop immunity.

It is a coccidiostat in that concentration. Coccidiosis is caused by protozoa that can live in the ground. There are different kinds of this protozoa. Immunity to one does not give immunity to all. This protozoa can live and reproduce in the chickens intestines. Normally some of this protozoa is not a problem. The problem is when the protozoa multiplies to such great numbers it can cause a problem.

This protozoa can live and multiply in wet chicken manure. Most of the time wet manure contributes to the chicks developing a problem with coccidiosis. The chicks eat the wet manure and the numbers get out of hand.

A fairly dry brooder is a real good safeguard against problems with coccidiosis. The way the Amprolium works, it interferes with the protozoa multiplying in the chicks intestines, thus keeping the number down. It does not stop all reproduction, just stops some reproduction. The chick can still have a problem with coccidiosis if the brooder is wet. The Amprolium will do absolutely no good if the protozoa is not present to start with. If your chicks are raised in a brooder and never see dirt, they are unlikely to be exposed to the protozoa until they leave the brooder and are exposed to dirt.

Depending in how you raise your chicks, it may make more sense to feed them medicated feed when they leave the brooder for two or three weeks. I purposely put some dirt from the run into the brooder about Day 3 so they are exposed to any protozoa while they are young when they can best develop immunity.

Fact: There is no egg or meat withdrawal time for Amprolium in poultry feed. The FDA has deemed it safe to eat the eggs and meat from birds that have consumed medicated feed. Fact: The dosage of Amprolium in medicated feed is not strong enough to cure an outbreak. Its purpose is to serve as a preventative measure. The fact: It is a personal choice, and coccidiosis can be managed with or without Amprolium.

If there are wild birds present on your farm, it may be a good idea to introduce medicated feed, but the decision is yours. Fact: Feeding a medicated feed takes the guesswork out of dosing since it is formulated carefully.

Mixing medicated and non-medicated feed reduces the effectiveness of the medicated feed. If you decide to use a medicated feed, a week duration is what most experts recommend. If you have not started your chicks on medicated feed, it is okay to switch, but it may not be as effective. I raise my chicks on the medicated feed for their first several weeks. Thank you for your question, Gwendolyn. If you are raising meat or eggs to be certified organic, you should follow the guidelines outlined to meet that certification.

As you make your decision consider: — Amprolium has no withdrawal period — It is FDA approved — Amprolium is not an antibiotic — Amprolium works by slowing the growth of the parasite by limiting its absorbtion of Thiamine.

My chicks are now about 7 to 8 weeks old now. The first 5lb starter bag of feed was non medicated. How long should I continue feeding medicated? Chicks are still in a brooder area, but will be shifted to the main coop before long.

I only have 3 older layers left from my previous flock. My birds rarely free range. Jeanne — Mericated starter should be fed through 8 weeks of age. Have fun with your new chicks. Aside from proper temperature, there are 2 things that you can do to ensure that your chicks survive and thrive:. I have used this method for many years, and hardly ever lose a chick, and none to coccidiosis. Plus, your waterers will not sour and get slimy. So how long do I need to keep them separated and can they stay in the same room but separate.

In this case, it is not recommended to feed medicated chick starter. Your brood gets fresh ingredients with no artificial flavors or colors. Learn more at www. Fact: The medication, Amprolium, will only help prevent coccidiosis, nothing else.

Myth 2: I do not want to feed an antibiotic to my chicks, so I do not feed medicated feed. Fact: Contrary to popular belief, Amprolium is not an antibiotic. It is a thiamin blocker, and the coccidia parasite needs thiamin to multiply in the gut of a bird.

Myth 3: I do not want residual drugs in my meat or eggs. Fact: There is no egg or meat withdrawal time for Amprolium in poultry feed. The FDA has deemed it safe to eat the eggs or meat from birds that have consumed it. Myth 4: If I see an outbreak of coccidiosis bloody droppings , I should start to feed the medicated feed immediately. Fact: The dosage of Amprolium in medicated feed is not strong enough to fix an outbreak.

Its purpose is to serve as a preventative measure.