When you have new chicks, you want to do everything in your power to help them grow up strong and healthy. As soon as your chicks are ready to start eating, the first step to accomplishing that goal is to make sure they have access to a chick starter feed that meets all their requirements. But what is the best option for these newborn chicks?.
Giving chicks their first feed often brings up a challenging debate: medicated chick feed vs. non-medicated chick feed. While you’ve probably heard conflicting advice about which option is best, we’re here to provide you with the facts on both so that you can make a more informed decision. We’ve also included some frequently asked questions about medicated and non-medicated chick starter.
Medicined chicken feed is an important tool that many chicken farmers use to keep their flocks healthy. But what is medicated chicken feed, what’s in it, and when should it be used? This full guide will explain everything chicken owners need to know about this special kind of feed.
What is Medicated Chicken Feed?
Medicated chicken feed is feed that has small amounts of medicines added to it to help keep birds from getting common diseases. The medicines are carefully measured and controlled to make therapeutic levels without hurting the birds.
The most common medications used in chicken feed are:
- Amprolium – prevents coccidiosis
- Bacitracin – prevents bacterial infections
These medications work by either killing bacteria or parasites that cause illness, or by inhibiting their ability to reproduce and proliferate.
Why Use Medicated Chicken Feed?
There are several key reasons poultry farmers utilize medicated feeds:
1. Prevent Disease Outbreaks
Many common poultry diseases like coccidiosis and bacterial enteritis can be effectively prevented with medicated feed. Providing medication in the feed allows prevention of illness before it starts.
2. Improve Flock Health
Chickens that are healthier have stronger immune systems, grow faster, and lay better eggs and meat. Preventing disease leads to better overall flock health and productivity.
3. Reduce Mortality Rates
Medicated feed reduces death losses by protecting chickens from succumbing to contagious poultry diseases. Lower mortality rates mean larger and more productive flocks.
4. Cost Savings
Though medicated feed costs more up front, it leads to long term savings from avoiding veterinary treatment costs and reduced mortality rates. This makes it a cost-effective choice for flock health.
When Should Medicated Feed Be Used?
There are two key times when the use of medicated feed is most crucial:
1. Chick Starter Feed
Using medicated chick starter feed is highly recommended for young chicks from 1-12 weeks old. This protects vulnerable young chicks when they are most susceptible to disease.
2. Pullet Feed
Transitioning to medicated pullet feed from 12-18 weeks is also important to protect adolescent pullets before they start laying eggs. Protecting pullets helps ensure long productive lives.
Many farmers provide medicated feed throughout the entire grow-out period up to 18-20 weeks. However, medicated feed should always be discontinued prior to slaughter to allow medication withdrawal periods.
Potential Drawbacks of Medicated Feeds
Even though medicated feed is very good for the health of your flock, there are a few things you should know about them:
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Overuse can lead to antibiotic resistance – Relying too heavily on medication rather than good management practices can cause decreased efficacy over time.
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Increased cost – Medicated feeds tend to cost 10-25% more than standard feeds. However, this is usually offset by disease prevention and associated costs.
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Requires proper dosing – Giving too much or too little medication can lead to issues. Always carefully follow manufacturer’s recommendations.
Alternatives to Medicated Feeds
Poultry owners looking to avoid medicated feeds do have some alternatives:
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Vaccination – Vaccine programs can help protect against specific diseases like coccidiosis.
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Probiotics – Supplemental probiotics help promote good gut health to fight disease.
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Herbal supplements – Some herbal additives like garlic and oregano have natural antiparasitic effects.
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Good management – Strict biosecurity, clean housing, and stress reduction help avoid disease.
However, these alternatives may require more diligent flock oversight and do not offer the same level of protection as medicated feeds. They can be used in conjunction with or in place of medicated feed depending on the producer’s preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can chickens become resistant to medications used in feed?
Yes, bacterial resistance is possible if medications are overused. This is why proper dosing and discontinuing use when appropriate is important. Using medicated feed as part of an overall health program helps avoid resistance issues.
Is medicated feed safe for baby chicks?
Yes, medicated chick starter feeds are specifically formulated to be safe for young chicks when used properly. The low medication levels are ideal for preventing disease in vulnerable young chicks.
Can medicated feed be used for laying hens?
Medicated feeds should not be fed to mature laying hens, as medication residues could pass into eggs destined for human consumption. Only non-medicated layer feeds should be used for actively laying hens.
Do all types of poultry need medicated feeds?
While medicated feeds provide benefits for chickens, they should not be used for some other types of poultry like ducks and geese. Always check feed labels to ensure the feed is suitable for the type of birds you are raising.
Conclusion
Does Amprolium Kill Coccidiosis?
No — Amprolium does not kill coccidiosis. This parasite uses thiamine, vitamin B1, to multiply. Thiamine is present in a chick’s digestive system. Amprolium renders the parasite sterile by blocking its absorption of thiamine — meaning it cannot reproduce.
Medicated chick starter contains just enough Amprolium to keep coccidiosis from proliferating and straining the chick’s delicate immune system. A medicated feed cannot prevent a coccidiosis outbreak.
How Long Do Chicks Need Medicated Feed?
Medicated chick feed was developed to help protect chicks until their immune systems have time to develop. If you’re not sure how long to feed medicated chick starter, two weeks to one month is usually the best amount of time.
Non-medicated chick starter is the more common option for keepers who have vaccinated chicks. The vaccination protects young birds from coccidiosis from the get-go so that you can rest easy without the need for medicated feed.