Chicken Nutrition- What Your Chicken Needs in Its Feed

[HARRY47264]

Sorry I forgot to upload pics on my post
Harry

 

[HARRY47264]

 

[South OH Chicks]

I have laying birds, as well as birds that are 8 weeks old. My question is can I put the younger ones on the laying ration as long as it is 16% protein, instead of a grower ration?

 

[buff goose guy]

My bantam cochin is having trouble gaining weight. 

The vet said that she is perfectly healthy illness wise, but also  said that she is very underweight.

I give her a cup 2 cups of food a day, 1/2 cup maintenance feed(pellets) , 1/2 maintenance (crumbles), 1/2 cracked corn, and 1/2 meal worms. She still has not gained any weight. 

What should i do?

 

[bullets]

Buff guy.

How long has she been on her weight gain diet? If it's been a few weeks and she hasn't seemed to gain much it's possible she might have some sort of nutrient absorption issue. Are you recording her weight? I would suggest you immediately start her on a poultry vitamin and probiotics in her water. It will not directly impact her weight but it may help some other underlying issue. Also, I would feed her only balanced feed you have, I wouldn't feed her extra corn. If you have any meat scraps you can ration out to her daily that would be a good addition with the amino acids. If you want, give her quarter sized amount of BOSS for treats daily. They contain fatty acids. You can also give her a small teaspoon sized dollop of pan fat each day. Full of calories and nutrients as well. Good luck to you and your little lady.

 

[buff goose guy]

Quote: Thank you!, Yes she does have a vitamin supplement going into her water and a poultry booster in her feed as well.

I probably should be recording her weight, i feel awful for not doing that! I have just been feel her under belly daily and feel how sharp and protrudent her chest bone is.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have laying birds, as well as birds that are 8 weeks old.  My question is can I put the younger ones on the laying ration as long as it is 16% protein, instead of a grower ration?

If you have sex-links, production reds or white Leghorns. 16 weeks. Most other types/breeds 18 weeks at the earliest. To much calcium earlier than this is not good for chickens. Mix 50/50 growers/layers for 2 weeks starting at above dates to ease transition. GC

 

[shannon84]

I stopped feeding my chickens laying feed because I found out it can hurt my roosters kidneys. So I bought them meat bird food, then chick starter. What do you all use if you have a rooster with hens?

 

[GC-Raptor]

I stopped feeding my chickens laying feed because I found out it can hurt my roosters kidneys. So I bought them meat bird food, then chick starter. What do you all use if you have a rooster with hens?

I don't have any cockerels or roosters. But from what I have found in studies, any cockerels or roosters in my future would get layers feed after 16 or 18 weeks depending on type or breed. GC

 

[shannon84]

I don't have any cockerels or roosters. But from what I have found in studies, any cockerels or roosters in my future would get layers feed after 16 or 18 weeks depending on type or breed. GC

that's interesting! Well my rooster is 2 or 3 years old (was a stray) he is a buff Orpington I heard all flock is what some people do in my situation with the hens getting a side of oryster shells. But my hens hate those unfortunately. Their not laying at the moment anyways due to molting and winter. Thanks for the response!