When to STOP feeding medicated starter?

[chickfused]

I only feed medicated starter for the week prior and week after they go out with the big chickens. I don't do it at all for mama raised babies. Sometimes I never do it at all if the chicks are healthy and vigorous when they come out of the brooder. Never had trouble yet. In fact, I've had more neural issues from the medicated starter than I've had trouble not using it. YMMV. My chickens have a huge area to work with, so the ground may not be saturated with coccidia.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Feed should not be complicated. The companies selling it like to put labels on everything to "guide" you. The reality of it all is there are very few actual feeds and these are put into different bags for your confusion and often extended price tag.

Medicated feed is as it states. Medicated for those that have issue with Cocci in there area. Not needed at all if you don't. $1.50-$2.00 added value per bag to insist you need this. They also insist to use it twice as long- 6 weeks.

Layer feed is typically lower protein than your birds need. Thin production layers do fine with it. The calcium content is increased from the 1% in normal feeds to 3% in layer feed. This value added service costs you more per bag for very inexpensive calcium supplement put into a cheaper feed. Protein cost money. Result- you are overpaying for low quality feed.

Once you take out the medicated and the added calcium feeds you are left with feed for any poultry. The difference is the costly protein percentage in the different products. If you purchase 20-24% broiler feed you are paying more than purchasing a Turkey finisher feed. Same feed, just cost more. Broiler food is expensive and that's due to the label telling you this is specific for broilers. This of course is untrue. Turkey and game bird feeds are also high protein and often the exact product for less money.

Starter crumble and mash (unmedicated) is a high protein, broiler feed pellets, cut into smaller pieces.

Grower feed is sometimes lower protein and sometimes starter without cocci medication. It varies by supplier and how they label. Typically in crumble form which is pellets cut up smaller.

Finisher is as the name implies- a lower protein, lower cost means to extend the time the birds are around until slaughter. If that company sells a lower protein grower then it's this pellet finisher cut into smaller pieces.

If a person stops reading what the bag tells you the product is for and reads the paper tag for protein and calcium level and whether it's medicated or not that's all the info they need. They can them make an informed decision based on facts and their management needs then purchase the same product at a lower price that has a picture of a turkey on it.

 

[Folly's place]

If there's a possible problem with coccidiosis where you live, feed the amprolium added chick starter until your birds have been outside on your ground for two or three weeks. Many of us don't have problems with coccidia, and many of us will have sick/ dying chicks unless they get that medicated feed.
For risk-averse folks, or any who've had coccidiosis in their birds, feed that medicated feed!
After 20+ years without issues, last spring, which was very wet, we had coccidiosis in our chicks! This spring they will get medicated feed...
Mary