Feeding BOSS to chicks

[Pork Pie]

The point of suggesting vitamins / electrolytes was suggested as a means to helping promote general well being and hopefully increased appetite, not as a means to promote growth.

 

[bk15]

Where can u get BOSS??

 

[waddles99]

The point of suggesting vitamins / electrolytes was suggested as a means to helping promote general well being and hopefully increased appetite, not as a means to promote growth.

I only use electrolytes as an energy supplement for when a chicken is sick/injured or when they have just went through a stressful event, such as shipping. Sometimes when it is hot I just add it to the water in general. Electrolytes really aren't meant for a healthy chicken that simply isn't getting enough to eat or not growing as fast. In that case, I would separate and pack on the protein. If, and I say if, you have a good chick feed, vitamins should already be present.

 

[jpalmatier83]

Where can u get BOSS??

Any feed store, any pet store, Home Depot, lowes, probably any grocery store.

 

[ValerieJ]

Electrolytes supplies energy, not growth. If I want to bulk up a bird I raise the protein. Try feeding the smallest one higher protein. BOSS will be about 16% protein so no difference between that and the feed they are already getting, which at that age should be 16%. I feed BOSS for feather sheen on my show birds starting at around 18 weeks.

What do you suggest for protein? I give them all mealworms for a treat once a day. I thought that was for protein. I was able to give her mash this morning and she ate some of it. I will do that every morning, and in a few days I'll have some mash that is fermented, which I understand will be even better for her.

Is the bird in your picture an Australorp, Waddles99? That is what my little hen is. She is so pretty, albeit very petite at 14 weeks. The two Buff Orpingtons are so much bigger, and the two Rhode Island Reds are just a little bigger than my little Australorp. And my rooster is an Australorp too, and he is so much bigger than any of them. I probably should have just picked one breed of chicken my first time out. Didn't think about them growing at different rates and that being a problem. They were all together in one bin at the farm and feed store, so I assumed they were compatible.

 

[jpalmatier83]

Hi Val, just read back through the posts, and here's a couple observations.

If you want your girl to put on weight, in reality it's less about which macro you're trying to feed and more about getting her to just eat more. If you can get her to eat mor fat, carbs, or protein, she'll put on more weight than if they'd eaten less. Many "treats" are more able to put on weight not because they have more of something, but because the chicken is more willing to eat them. They'll stuff their faces on meal worms or corn, but will only peck at feed.

Maybe try something soft and easy to eat like yoghurt, which is also calorie dense, and if you hit on something she likes you're in business.

 

[waddles99]

What do you suggest for protein? I give them all mealworms for a treat once a day. I thought that was for protein. I was able to give her mash this morning and she ate some of it. I will do that every morning, and in a few days I'll have some mash that is fermented, which I understand will be even better for her.

Is the bird in your picture an Australorp, Waddles99? That is what my little hen is. She is so pretty, albeit very petite at 14 weeks. The two Buff Orpingtons are so much bigger, and the two Rhode Island Reds are just a little bigger than my little Australorp. And my rooster is an Australorp too, and he is so much bigger than any of them. I probably should have just picked one breed of chicken my first time out. Didn't think about them growing at different rates and that being a problem. They were all together in one bin at the farm and feed store, so I assumed they were compatible.

If you are willing to pay a little more, this is really what would give her a boost: http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/manna-pro-gamebird-showbird-feed-5-lb?cm_vc=IOPDP2
I would isolate her and feed her that. I wouldn't feed it to any of your other birds since they are already at a healthy weight, and overfeeding protein could cause problems for them. This is really a conditioning feed for bulking up. Mealworms are good, but they don't have as much nutritional value as a complete formula such as this. Obviously mealworms can't be fed as an entire diet, whereas this feed can. I feed something similar to this for my show birds. It has less protein since it is meant to hold them at their current size, not to grow them. But it makes a big difference feeding that vs. feeding a layer feed. Not only does this have the beneficial amino acids in protein, it has vitamins and minerals for development. This feed is pelleted I believe, not mashed, so you could either mash it up yourself or see if she will eat the pellets. Leave it out for her free choice as well as fresh clean water. I would hold off on the electrolytes unless she isn't eating or has no energy.

The bird in my picture is a Rhode Island Red. RIR mature to be close in size to Australorps. Both are traditionally dual purpose, heritage breeds. They should have similar growth rates, with a little variation since all birds are different. Orpingtons will mature larger and faster than the others, you are correct. I had my Orps outside with the big girls at 3 months old. The others didn't go out until 5 months. It is completely normal for them to be bigger. However, if your australorp is so much smaller than your reds, I would think she isn't getting enough to eat.

 

[ValerieJ]

Thanks jpalmatier, that sounds like good advice. I think I will have a little time each morning while she is still in the coop and everyone else is out to feed her something special. I'll try yogurt too.

 

[ValerieJ]

If you are willing to pay a little more, this is really what would give her a boost: http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/manna-pro-gamebird-showbird-feed-5-lb?cm_vc=IOPDP2
.

Thank you so much for this information waddles99! We have a Tractor Supply about 30 miles from here. I will make a trip and pick that up.

 

[waddles99]

Thank you so much for this information waddles99! We have a Tractor Supply about 30 miles from here. I will make a trip and pick that up.

No problem. But please separate her first, for two reasons. One, so you know she is eating and how much, and two, so none of the others eat any. Please update to show how she does.