Best Food to Add Weight to a Silkie?

[ChattyChickens4Life]

Most chicks are pretty light, so it's possible it's normal for her. You definitely don't want fat chicks or even grown birds. A good chick starter has everything your chick needs, so keep it simple when they are under 8 weeks. Make sure your starter is fresh and smells good.

It seems you may think Luna is a chick? I may be reading this wrong, but Luna is 5 months. I'm not sure if that changes how we should be feeding her. Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It seems you may think Luna is a chick? I may be reading this wrong, but Luna is 5 months. I'm not sure if that changes how we should be feeding her. Thanks!

Geez, old lady moment. Sorry about that. I would definitely keep her on a higher protein feed like a non medicated grower. Since she's older you can try giving her a bit of cracked corn and boss to see if she will eat any. Both are good sources of carbs and fat when fed in moderation. Make sure grit is available.

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

Geez, old lady moment. Sorry about that. I would definitely keep her on a higher protein feed like a non medicated grower. Since she's older you can try giving her a bit of cracked corn and boss to see if she will eat any. Both are good sources of carbs and fat when fed in moderation. Make sure grit is available.

thank you for the reply! I'm not familiar with boss? Sorry, new chicken owner moment! Lol! the bedding in her quarantine area is sand. Is that alright as grit? It's not playground sand, it is river sand with varied grain sizes. I will talk to my parents about switching her to non medicated chicken feed. When we put her with our other flock once she us better, should they all switch to non medicated? Or is she all right to eat the medicated along with them? Thanks and sorry for all the questions!!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sorry again. Boss is black oil sunflower seeds, the type fed to wild birds. It is full of fats and can help birds put on some weight. You do need to be careful not to feed too much as too much fat in the diet isn't good. I sometimes give my chickens some regular bird seed as a treat in the colder months.

I have fed my bantam flock a non medicated grower year round for the extra protein. I've never actually fed a medicated feed as I don't have troubles with coccidiosis. A non medicated can be fed to birds of all ages.

The medicated is supposed to be fed for I believe up to 8 weeks. Since it blocks thiamine it could cause vitamin deficiencies used long term. Chicks over the age of 3 months technically should be immune to coccidiosis.

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

Sorry again. Boss is black oil sunflower seeds, the type fed to wild birds. It is full of fats and can help birds put on some weight. You do need to be careful not to feed too much as too much fat in the diet isn't good. I sometimes give my chickens some regular bird seed as a treat in the colder months.

I have fed my bantam flock a non medicated grower year round for the extra protein. I've never actually fed a medicated feed as I don't have troubles with coccidiosis. A non medicated can be fed to birds of all ages.

The medicated is supposed to be fed for I believe up to 8 weeks. Since it blocks thiamine it could cause vitamin deficiencies used long term. Chicks over the age of 3 months technically should be immune to coccidiosis.

I will get on that! Thanks so much!!