Blue Seal Home Fresh Chick Starter smells!!!

[CarminsCluckers]

Just bought my first egg layer chicks with a 50lb bag of Blue Seal crumble feed (medicated). Got my little ladies home and opened the bag of feed. The smell! It smells like pee. There are also some mushy chunks of the crumble throughout the bag. I’m afraid to feed my babies this feed. Is this normal?

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
I've never used this feed, so don't know how it should look, or smell. BUT, lumps and smelling like urine? Doesn't sound good at all!
What's the mill date on the bag?
When in doubt, return it and get something else.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

If it's mold, that's bad. If it's lumps of the vitamin/ mineral mix, also bad.
Return it tomorrow!
Mary

 

[Punkybrewster]

Dont use it. Somehow it got moisture in the bag and is moldy. That will kill the chicks. Return it asap. If you exchange at the same store, buy another brand. If that particular purina bag got wet, chances are the other purina bags were on the same pallet.

 

[Punkybrewster]

...sorry not Purina, Blue Seal.

 

[CarminsCluckers]

Welcome!
I've never used this feed, so don't know how it should look, or smell. BUT, lumps and smelling like urine? Doesn't sound good at all!
What's the mill date on the bag?
When in doubt, return it and get something else.
Mary

Thanks, Mary! I didn’t think it was right and have already returned it.

 

[CarminsCluckers]

Dont use it. Somehow it got moisture in the bag and is moldy. That will kill the chicks. Return it asap. If you exchange at the same store, buy another brand. If that particular purina bag got wet, chances are the other purina bags were on the same pallet.

Good advice! I will buy something different. Any suggestions on a good brand?

 

[Folly's place]

I feed Purina, which is always fresh at my local feed stores. There's no one right answer; the mill date should be within one month or so, and I feed within two months of milling. You may find another brand that's fresh where you shop.
Feeds that include a lot of whole grains tend to be eaten selectively, at least by some birds, so they don't get a balanced diet. I much prefer crumble or pelleted feeds instead. Chicks need a crumble, they can't manage pelleted feeds yet.
Mary

 

[Punkybrewster]

I feed Dumore chick starter from tractor supply

 

[Folly's place]

I find Purina to be better overall rather than Dumor. It is cheaper, but that's it, I think.
Mary