I was dead wrong about medicated chick starter feed

When I first started with chickens 8 years ago in my little backyard coop in Ohio, I refused to use medicated feed. Thought it was a scam, you know, just a way to charge more. Then I lost 3 out of 12 chicks to coccidiosis in one week (awful, watching them go downhill fast). Switched to medicated starter the next batch and haven't lost a single one since. Anyone else have a stubborn moment that cost them some birds?

2 comments

2 Comments

nathan_bailey21h ago

Started with the same stubborn attitude and learned the hard way too. Lost five out of fifteen one summer and it was brutal. Now I feed medicated starter for the first 8 weeks every time, no exceptions. I also keep a little apple cider vinegar in their water for the first month, just an extra gut health boost. The difference in growth and activity is night and day with medicated feed.

julia84317h ago

12 weeks is kinda my sweet spot now actually. I used to stop at 6 weeks but I had a couple slip through and get sick around week 8, so now I just play it safe and keep them on it a little longer. That apple cider vinegar tip is smart too, I might try that next time, I usually just do electrolytes but I've heard good things about ACV for keeping their guts balanced. It's funny how hard we fight against things like medicated feed until we see it work firsthand, then it's just part of the routine forever.