Best feed for my young fluffs about 2 or 3 weeks old?

[suzyqhon]

Hello!
What type of feed should I be using for my 3 fluffs? should I use a medicated one in addition to regular feed? Also what is a good brand to use?

 

[nuthatched]

Any good starter with at least 18% protein, any brand but not whole grain at this point.

 

[suzyqhon]

I have been using Purina brand starter feed. I don't remember the protein percent. Should I add a medicated feed too? Thank you for your reply!

 

[nuthatched]

I have been using Purina brand starter feed. I don't remember the protein percent. Should I add a medicated feed too? Thank you for your reply!

That's fine, medicated is good for if they're around other chickens, it helps prevent coccidiosis.

 

[rosemarythyme]

IF you are planning to use medicated feed, only use medicated feed. Do not dilute down medicated feed with regular feed or you're reducing the amount of amprolium (assuming that's the "medicated") below the level of optimal effectiveness for prevention.

Or feed regular feed and only provide amprolium if coccidiosis becomes an issue.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

IF you are planning to use medicated feed, only use medicated feed. Do not dilute down medicated feed with regular feed or you're reducing the amount of amprolium (assuming that's the "medicated") below the level of optimal effectiveness for prevention.

Or feed regular feed and only provide amprolium if coccidiosis becomes an issue.

^ well said.

A preventative only works if there's enough present to actually prevent. Otherwise, you are only helping to create superbugs.

My contribution to the discussion as follows -

Whether or not to feed medicated is a wholly personal and hopefully fact based decision. Coccidia (what the medicated feed treats for) are everywhere humans have been. Period. Full Stop. The artic, the antarctic, the ISS, the bottom of the ocean in a nuclear submarine, and everywhere in between. They are only a problem when the body's natural ability to keep them in check is overwhelmed.

They are opportunistic, in other words.

I live on "virgin" ground (never been chickens here, we are the first people living on property in the modern era) and have never had a coccidia outbreak in my flock. I don't seek out medicated feed for my birds, though I'm not opposed to using it. We have generally mild winters, very hot summers, lots of rain (most of the year), and my hatchlings get introduced to the grounds under controlled circumstances in their first week - helping them to build their bodies' immune systems.

If I lived on grounds where the prior owner had had chickens of unknown health, were I in a close knit neighborhood with tiny properties and surrounded by neighbors whoise chickens were of unknown health, or if I had had a coccidia outbreak on my property, I would probably feed medicated. Others might not.

- how long ago? how close were the neighbors? how bad was the outbreak? were their other, possibly contributing, factors (like a fowl pox infection working its way thru the flock)? -

All good questions. No one right answer.