Have been feeding wrong feed!

[alessadry]

My chicks are 9 weeks old and since they were 6 weeks by mistake we were feeding the 16% layer crumbles a store clerk made us buy in bulk. Only yesterday, we noticed it is to give to hens 22 weeks and older! Now we are worried this may have deprived them from the nutrition they needed, should we be concerned? We are about to go to town and purchase the 16% all purpose poultry crumbles, which is what we were supposed to give them evidently.

 

[speckledhen]

They were supposed to have chick starter *baby food* at no less than 18% protein up to about 22-24% protein, so you need starter or starter/grower, not all purpose feed which is not made for babies. Layer has way too much calcium in it for babies and not near the protein they need.

My advice is to switch them ASAP. Hopefully, not too much damage has been done. Starter/grower is made to feed until they are of laying age. Keep them on the starter or starter/grower for the next 9 weeks and they'll have the nutrition the need.

Here's an example:

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Layer damges kidneys in young chicks, switch as soon as possible! I feed a starter/grower til point of lay.

 

[alessadry]

I am looking at the packaging which lists all the different chick foods and it states: '' This Country Lane 16% All Purpose Poultry Crumbles feed is designed to be fed to chickens,turkeys,ducks,geese,guinea fowl and gamebirds as a grower, layer and maintenance ration. Gamebirds include pheasants, quail and chukar.

- Uniform crumbles to encourage consumption.

- High energy ration for optimum results.

- Flexible as a grower and layer ration for all poultry and gamebirds from approximately 6 weeks of age through laying -and also as a maintenance ration for held -over birds.

 

[cackydoodledoo]

Sounds like it's an all purpose feed which I'm sure might be ok but I would do as others suggest and go get some chick grower or starter and get them on that ASAP. There isn't much you can do about what's already done but try and make it right now. Good luck!

 

[TheMainException]

I either use Manna Pro medicated chick starter or Purina Start and Grow feed for my little guys. Once they reach laying age, I feed them Layena pellets (by Purina). I like Purina because they don't use animal products or by-products in their feed.

 

[speckledhen]

Quote:
16% is too low of a protein level for chicks of 9 weeks old, IMO. They need at least 18%. Now, if you want to continually supplement it by giving them fish and eggs, maybe you could get by on the All-Purpose stuff, but doesn't sound like it's really made in the right protein levels for youngsters to me.



Personally, the reason I do not use Purina is because it has no animal proteins in it. Chickens are omnivores and need animal protein for the best feathering and less picking. Good grief, they'll eat each other if they don't have enough protein. Certainly you can use a vegetarian feed if you want to, but they still eat bugs, lizards, snakes, frogs, mice if they can get to them. There's no mad chicken disease--they digest most everything quite well.

 

[write2caroline]

I would either put it in a bin till they are older or feed until it is gone and give them some scrambled eggs to eat - which mine love love love....Some feed stores have given me the WORSE advice and so I don't make purchases based upon clerks at feed stores anymore. Maybe that person was the type that figures chicken feed is chicken feed. you can go online and get purena coupons and register your chicks.

You can feed them bugs and worms too! They love wormies. I don't think you have done your chicks permanent harm - it is still nutritious food but with less protein which they need for feather production. If they were just free ranging then they wouldn't have had even what you gave them so I say no harm no (pardon my pun) fowl!

Don't beat yourself up.

Have fun
Caroline

 

[DiggsTheChick]

Omg i was absolutely shocked when I seen my friends chicken eat a mouse whole! I knew they ate bugs and stuff but i was surprised!

Quote:

16% is too low of a protein level for chicks of 9 weeks old, IMO. They need at least 18%. Now, if you want to continually supplement it by giving them fish and eggs, maybe you could get by on the All-Purpose stuff, but doesn't sound like it's really made in the right protein levels for youngsters to me.



Personally, the reason I do not use Purina is because it has no animal proteins in it. Chickens are omnivores and need animal protein for the best feathering and less picking. Good grief, they'll eat each other if they don't have enough protein. Certainly you can use a vegetarian feed if you want to, but they still eat bugs, lizards, snakes, frogs, mice if they can get to them. There's no mad chicken disease--they digest most everything quite well.

 

[speckledhen]

Omg i was absolutely shocked when I seen my friends chicken eat a mouse whole! I knew they ate bugs and stuff but i was surprised!

Wait until you see one running with a snake hanging out of her mouth....she played keep-away with me and finally slurped that thing like spaghetti. Blech.