I have two six week old chicks that are currently on medicated feed..The question I have is when is it considered safe (age wise) to switch to a non-medicated feed? Thanks so much in advance
There is no specific age to change to non-medicated feed, but I would say that if the chicks are six weeks old, they should probably be switched to a regular, non-medicated, layer pellet feed. The medicated feed is important when they are very young, however, if I remember correctly, medicated feed is in a fairly powdery form, which the chicks are definately too old for at six weeks. Offer them some layer pellet feed and see if they're interested! :)
I feel 6 weeks is too young for layer feed. Starter feed has specific additives for growing chicks, while layer feed has specific additives for chickens that are of laying age... laying age at the earliest is 20 weeks.
As has been said, there is no specific age at which you switch feeds. That being said, when YOU think they're ready, start by mixing their feed at a ratio of 70% medicated to 30% your choice.
I started mine by switching at 8 weeks from chick to grower/finisher for 1 50lb. bag, and then switched to layer feed, which my birds have been on since. They also get oyster shell, grit and whatever they can peck out in my yard plus a kitchen scrap from time to time.
Thanks for the help..the chicks will turn approx. 8 weeks on august 1 and I am now starting to run low on medicated so I will mix the remaining medicated with non to use it up and to switch over to non medicated feed.
There is no specific age to change to non-medicated feed, but I would say that if the chicks are six weeks old, they should probably be switched to a regular, non-medicated, layer pellet feed. The medicated feed is important when they are very young, however, if I remember correctly, medicated feed is in a fairly powdery form, which the chicks are definately too old for at six weeks. Offer them some layer pellet feed and see if they're interested! :)
I feel 6 weeks is too young for layer feed. Starter feed has specific additives for growing chicks, while layer feed has specific additives for chickens that are of laying age... laying age at the earliest is 20 weeks.
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As has been said, there is no specific age at which you switch feeds. That being said, when YOU think they're ready, start by mixing their feed at a ratio of 70% medicated to 30% your choice.
I started mine by switching at 8 weeks from chick to grower/finisher for 1 50lb. bag, and then switched to layer feed, which my birds have been on since. They also get oyster shell, grit and whatever they can peck out in my yard plus a kitchen scrap from time to time.
Thanks for the help..the chicks will turn approx. 8 weeks on august 1 and I am now starting to run low on medicated so I will mix the remaining medicated with non to use it up and to switch over to non medicated feed.