Chicks won't eat HELP!!!

[junebug2337]

We got 9 chicks about 6 weeks ago and they are all fully feathered. I have been reading and it says to start chicks on pullet grower about this time. I have been feeding them IFA chick starter and just switched over to Nutrina nature smart chick starter grower and their food consumption has gone down to where they are almost eating nothing. They have been scratching the floor looking for their old food. The starter was like a powder almost, the new food is a crumble. Any suggestions on what to do?

 

[CascadiaRiver]

I havent heard of pullet grower, we usually just feed chick starter until they lay and we switch them over to layer feed... I would think at least for now to give them their baby food back if they flat out aren't eating the other stuff

 

[junebug2337]

I havent heard of pullet grower, we usually just feed chick starter until they lay and we switch them over to layer feed... I would think at least for now to give them their baby food back if they flat out aren't eating the other stuff

OK I will try that thank you! Do your chicks ever have problems switching from starter to layer feed?

 

[Stephine]

Did you just switch them cold turkey? Any change to their feed should be done gradually, so start by giving them their old feed with just a little of the new mixed in and then gradually increase the ratio of new to old feed. If they are still not eating it that way I would look for a different grower feed.

 

[CascadiaRiver]

OK I will try that thank you! Do your chicks ever have problems switching from starter to layer feed?

Not usually, we do it a little bit gradually, but not for longer than a week or two before fully switching. By the time they eat it its because their body is telling them they need to because it has the calcium and such they need for eggs

 

[junebug2337]

Thank you so much everybody for your help!

 

[junebug2337]

I really appreciate it

 

[BBQJOE]

I personally don't believe in all this tailored diet stuff.
If they were naturally hatched and raised outdoors free ranging, they'd eat the same thing everybody else does.

I feed my chicks the same things the big birds eat.
Scratch, pellets, chicken, eggs, bread, they don't care, and they are growing right along.