Purina Start & Grow Medicated Crumble

[SMG1018]

Is it ok to feed a 2.5 month old chicken Purina Start & Grow Medicated Crumble if the chicken has been vaccinated against coccidiosis? I was told to buy this feed by someone that gave me some chickens and sure enough 1 of them got sick, so I treated her with Corid. After a week of treatment I gave them back to him. I have thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, sprinkled DE everywhere in my coop and run. I just got a new Production Red and she's sweet! Just don't want give her the wrong feed.

 

[nuthatched]

They can eat it, but if they've been vaccinated for coccidiosis, it cancels out the vaccine. I'd stop with the de, it's harmful to breathe and can cause respiratory issues.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

It's overkill, but it won't kill her.

Medicated feed has amprolium which prevents Vitamin B uptake in coccidia (the protozoa responsible for coccidiosis).

The vaccination will address the main strains (hopefully), so your vaccinated chick should already be protected. Adding additional medicated feed is simply another step that *might* risk Vitamin B depletion in the chick but won't do it harm.

The vaccine doesn't catch all strains of coccidia (there are many).

Watch for signs of toe walking in the chick or funny leg limping which could be signs of B depletion. Solution is to simply give B vitamins.

LofMc

 

[Lady of McCamley]

...and I agree with the comment above about DE. It is dangerous for chickens (and humans) to breathe. DE is diatomaceous earth which is ground up diatom shells, or silica. It is tiny particles of sharp silica crystals that is very irritating to lungs. Some people think it "cuts" up parasites, which it likely does, but it is risky to lungs.

LofMc