babies eating layer feed

[clucky2]

I have 5 chicks with a mamma silkie. I snuck them under her in the night last friday and she's in love and they love her! But I don't know if it's a problem that the babies can get some of what spills to the ground from the big hens' layer feed, and consequently take in too much calcium. It will be a hassle to rearrange things, but if I should, I will. Any thoughts on this?

The chickies are one week old.

 

[tamelroy]

Quote:
I know chicks should not get too much calcium, I think it hurts the liver, can't remember right now! lol

For me, I would say seperate them from the rest of the flock, because you don't want your layers eating the medicated food, nor do you want the chicks to eat the layer food. That is what a breeder told me when I first started, something in the chick food, you shouldn't eat the eggs, and the calcium for the chicks is no good.

I hope some one else helps you! I don't know if was right or not, I just go by what he told me.

Good luck!

 

[the lemon tree]

Ingesting too much calcium at such a young age may damage their kidneys, as they aren't developed enough to metabolize it. With this said, I think it's worth going through the trouble and try to avoid this, if possible.

 

[Kittymomma]

I just put the whole flock on gamebird 22% and put out oyster shell free-choice for the layers. The babies get plenty of protien for growing and the girls get a feather growing egg making boost. Congrats on the new babies and having such a good mamma hen.

 

[clucky2]

Oh, gamebird 22% meaning protein content? And it doesn't have the extra calcium levels? My hens have oyster shell on the side already, so this may work.

 

[Kittymomma]

Quote:
That's the stuff. Here it comes in 20%, 22%, and 24% crumbles or pellets. I like pellets, but with chicks you'll want to be sure to get crumbles. Also, it's not medicated so make sure you have some Corid on hand just in case you have problems with cocci.

 

[clucky2]

Well I've cleaned up the spill area as best I could, moved the hens' food into a big metal tub so the waste will be contained, and now they're all eating the chicks food! ARGG. I can easily divide the coop spaces if needed though. And they may all go on the game bird crumbles if need be. All will be well.

Thanks folks!

 

[Kittymomma]

Kids and critters--if it's not one thing it's three.