Chicks

[The Duckster]

Hu there i have 2 chicks hatching right now and a couple more coming, but i was wondering if i could feed them full grown chicken food? because we got chicks from Ideal Poultry and so far they’ve been fine eating it.

 

[gimmie birdies]

You should feed them baby chick feed.

 

[JubileeFarmer]

You should not feed them layer feed as it contains too much calcium for any bird that is not laying eggs (chicks, roosters, broodies etc.) and can cause kidney damage. If you are feeding them an all-flock feed that might be okay but it's not ideal. The best feed for them would definitely be something formulated for chicks.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hu there i have 2 chicks hatching right now and a couple more coming, but i was wondering if i could feed them full grown chicken food? because we got chicks from Ideal Poultry and so far they’ve been fine eating it.

More details needed as there are some "all flock" and "flock raiser" feeds that are appropriate for mature and juvenile fowl alike (with oyster shell on the side free choice for active layers).. If that's what you're using then great. I actually love the Purina flock raiser feed for that purpose!

If you're using a "layer" feed.. you're doing great harm to your chicks, even IF you can't see it YET. Reduced protein and excess calcium *CAN* stunt growth, delay onset of laying, reduce immunity, cause gout and even organ failure.

Congrats on your hatching babies!

 

[The Duckster]

Ok cool right now i have 13 baby/juvenille Australorps and i'm feeding them full grown food and so far they're ok but they probably wont be then.

 

[Blooie]

Without trying to be mean, I’m just gonna state the obvious….if you knew you were going to have chicks hatching, why wouldn’t you have what they need on hand and ready for them? I ask for a simple reason - we’re better able to help you find a different solution if we know why. It’s kind of pointless to tell you to change them to a certain food if you can’t find it. Is chick starter not available in your area? I know we went to TSC yesterday to get dog food and I noticed there wasn’t one bag of chick starter in the whole store!! Not one of any brand. (No chicks, either) They only had 2 bags of All Flock, but then there was 3 pallets of layer food. If that is the issue, then we need to get creative finding a solution.

Layer food isn’t the best for them, but when chicks are out being raised by a broody hen with the rest of the flock, I’m not dumb enough to think those chicks aren’t taking in some layer food out there. So obviously short term or in small amounts, they aren’t in immediate danger from eating it. But if possible, you need to get them changed over. They can have either Starter, Grower or All Flock. I feed my mixed flock of roosters, layers, chicks of all ages, and freeloaders All Flock or Grower. New chicks get one small bag of Starter, and when that’s gone they get what the rest of the flock eats. So you do have options besides Layer.