24% protein on Pullet chicks

[SkeeredChicken]

Quote:
If you get the Dumor Chick Starter/Grower from TSC, you dont need extra grit. It's already included.

 

[dlhunicorn]

dlhunicorn...the Bluebird don't even get real mealworms in our backyard and show up at the feeders anyway, so I'll stick with playsand and soil!

Just remember that some of those (wild insects) are "helminths" (carriers af parasites to your birds >one of which is the earthworm) ... here is a list to watch out for:
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/htm/bc/tpou05.htm
(chart MERCK veterinary manual)

I am not saying you can actually prevent it, however I have noticed my birds do not scratch nearly as much as they did when I first got them as I give supplementary insects (from a "clean" source) ...I do not think it is wise to encourage your birds to scratch around in the compost heap for instance for the same reason (helminths) ... just to illustrate one such (and point out what the difference is between a farmed/"clean" source mealworm and a "wild" one)
http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/livestock/poultry/lesser_mealworm.htm
"....The lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer), is a cosmopolitan general stored products pest of particular importance as a vector and competent reservoir of several poultry pathogens and parasites. It can also cause damage to poultry housing and is suspected to be a health risk to humans in close contact with larvae and adults. Adults can become a nuisance when they move en masse toward artificial lights generated by residences near fields where beetle-infested manure has been spread (Axtell 1999). Alphitobius diaperinus inhabits poultry droppings and litter and is considered a significant pest in the poultry industry. "
(THE ABOVE INFO ONLY APPLICABLE TO "WILD" / NON-"FARMED" MEALWORMS)​

 

[boilerjoe_96]

No I do not want to fatten them up and yes I can find less than 24% protein.

The problem is I fell for yet another bird yesterday. A baby Turkey. I realize there is a disease that will kill a Turkey that Chickens are immune to, but I only have so many feeders/waters/ space.

So 1 Turkey is in with 3 2 week old ISA Brown pullets. They were suggled up together last night so they seem to be getting along.

I wanted to feed them all 24% as this is a good comprise from what each needs(chicks 20% and Turkey 28%).

Please you do not need to tell me I need to separate it, I know that, but for the time being I am not going to. I will in a couple weeks.

 

[kstaven]

Check back on old threads and you would be surprised how many people do mixed hatches and brood birds together. So what you are doing is not all that unusual. It can be a risk, but so is walking out your door in the morning.