Why medicated chicken feed

Symptoms of infected chicks are a red or orange tint to the feces, a drop in feed consumption and lethargy. This disease can quickly infect your whole group of birds and is often fatal if untreated; Coccidiosis is one of the leading causes of death in baby chicks. One way to help protect your birds against this disease is to feed a medicated chick starter.

Here are some specifics about this medication:. Whether you decide to feed a medicated or non medicated chick starter, there are other things you can do to help decrease your chances of coccidiosis in your flock:.

But the coccidiostats used now such as Amprolium do not harm waterfowl. So if your only choice is a medicated starter or a non-medicated feed that is not adequate for young ducklings or goslings — you should always use the medicated chick starter.

Thanks for the comment! In addition to knowing facts about medicated feeds it is extremely important to read the tag and feed only to approved species that are listed there.

Do u think my chicks will be ok with this. One of the chicks had pasty butt. Hi there, the medicated chick feed is only a preventative for Coccidiosis, nothing else. Pasty butt is probably unrelated. Soak the chicks butt in warm, not hot water, for about 10 minutes, then lightly blow dry with a hair dryer, then a little dab of Vaseline around the vent.

If you see blood in the droppings, then that is Cocci, and needs to be treated with Sulmet or Corrid. Wanted to share what happened to us and what we found out.

I believe this helps strengthen their immature immune systems by introducing pathogens and germs from the outdoors to them early on. In fact, I don't use any shavings or other brooder bedding any longer at all. I just use rubber shelf liner over a few layers of newspaper with dirt and grass clumps. I figure that's making an indoor brooder as close to the outdoors as possible. If you do use shavings, your brooder should stay relatively clean and dry, over-cleaning and replacing the litter too often can be counter-intuitive to allowing some bacteria to build up.

Removing wet litter is important, but completely replacing all the litter too regularly isn't a good idea. It's better to leave the majority for several days. I also try to get my baby chicks outside for at least a little bit during the warmest part of the day as early as I can. Getting them out on grass exposes them to all kinds of things, as well as gives them exercise, fresh air and sunlight.

Like my older hens, I also add some natural supplements to my baby chicks' diet right from hatch. A splash of apple cider vinegar, a sprinkle of dried oregano proven to be a natural antibiotic , thyme to a lesser extent and fresh minced garlic have all shown positive results in protecting chicks from coccidiosis.

I also sprinkle some probiotic powder onto their feed which helps build good bacteria in their gut, and in conjunction also offer organic Coop Kelp which provides a bounty of nutrients and also acts as a pre-biotic, helping the probiotics work better and produce more good bacteria. If you see any of the common symptoms of coccidiosis and are worried your chicks are infected despite your natural preventives, you can always make the choice to switch them to medicated feed at that point for the duration of the eight weeks.

If symptoms don't clear up after switching to the medicated feed, then a vet visit for some cocci medication is in order.

But hopefully providing your chicks the natural path will be more than adequate to stave off the coccidiosis. The short answer is no, you don't need to use medicated chick feed. However, if you feel more comfortable giving them that added layer of security and protection, then by all means go right ahead, but I urge you to try some natural methods instead.

Your privacy is important to us. Stay tuned for the first newsletter in the morning, straight to your inbox. For now, feel free to continue reading. What is Medicated Chicken Feed? Medicated feed is one of the best lines of defense to prevent coccidiosis from appearing. When is Medicated Feed Necessary? Unvaccinated Chicks Today, most chicks are vaccinated for coccidiosis. Climate Considerations The parasite responsible for coccidiosis is much more common in hot and humid environments.

Large Broods of Chickens All At Once If you only plan on raising a handful of chickens at a time, you can probably get away without using a medicated chick starter.

Alternatives to Medicated Feed 1. Buy Vaccinated Chicks Buying vaccinated chicks is the best way to prevent coccidiosis if you have any concerns. Keep Brooder Clean and Dry Another way to prevent coccidiosis — either with or without the use of medicated feed — is to practice good hygiene on your farm.

Ample Space You should always avoid raising chickens in close quarters. Healthy Habits There are other methods you can take to control disease on your farm, too, like limiting the access of wild birds to your farm and keeping food stored in tightly sealed containers. Best Medicated Chick Starters on the Market 1. Manna Pro Chick Starter This chick starter by Manna Pro is a good choice if you want to get your chicks started on the right foot. Country Heritage Medicated Chick Feed Starter Grower Crumbles Feed Country Heritage Medicated Chick Feed is another excellent feed to consider if you want a medicated feed that will allow you to stick with the same brand for eight weeks or so.

Unless, of course, it gives you peace of mind otherwise! Was this article helpful? Yes No. This article contains incorrect information This article does not have the information I am looking for. Please tell us what was incorrect: missing: Your Name:. It multiplies rapidly in the gut and then appears in the feces. As chicks scratch and peck they ingest the coccidiosis from the feces and become infected.

Symptoms of infected chicks are a red or orange tint to the feces, a drop in feed consumption and lethargy. This disease can quickly infect your whole group of birds and is often fatal if untreated; Coccidiosis is one of the leading causes of death when caring for baby chicks. One way to help protect your birds against this disease is to feed a medicated chick starter. While the choice to feed medicated or non-medicated chick starter is solely your own, there are certain instances where it is usually a good idea to feed a medicated starter.

This includes brooding large batches of chicks more than 50 at one time , brooding large batches consecutively, living in a warm and humid environment, and if you have a history of coccidiosis in your coop.

Likewise, there is one situation where feeding medicated chick starter is not recommended — vaccinated chicks. Always ask your chick source if chicks will be vaccinated. 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.