Help Whats Wrong With My Chicks?? *PICS*

[sshannon024]

Yes, I give them the chcik grit that the feed store reccomended for them.

 

[ranchhand]

If you're giving them grit and chick starter, and they're eating well, you might give them a bit of plain yogurt. Mine LOVE it- but put it down and run, they sling it everywhere!

 

[chickeypoo]

ive never given grit to the young ones if all they eat is the chick feed. and ive never had many problems(other problems but not many) so, i dunno why you'd really need grit... maybe im wrong.

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Nope, you're not wrong. Feed store folks are notorious for giving bad advice- they don't mean to, but they either don't know or they want to sell.

I'm tempting fate here, but I have always fed all chicks chick starter until the hens start to lay, then lay pellets from then on. When they start getting veggie scraps is when I do put some grit out, so they can choose. Yogurt is the only treat I give to the little ones.

Now, that may be wrong, but it's the way I learned in TX, and I haven't lost a chick in over 16 years. So there must be something right in there.

Knocks wood since there are 16 chicks in the brooder!

 

[sshannon024]

Well maybe thats what Im doing wrong. I had read several places that said they needed to store grit in their crops to digest food easily. Normally older chicks and chickens get it from free ranging, but when they are caged or in brooders they needed grit. So thats why I asked the feed store what kind of grit to give them. So I guess I should stop putting grit out for them??

 

[ranchhand]

As long as they eat starter and nothing else they don't need it. When you give them treats they will need it.

 

[chickeypoo]

LOL. i wasn't sure but i figured id never given grit.. i have lost chicks for various reasons but not from not giving grit.. if that was the case.. they'd all be dead lol. anyway, i give veggie scraps from the time they go outside lol.

they get chick starter until they go outside(after getting introduced through a chicken tractor i put in the coop and drag out every day) and then get out into the coop and eat what the adults eat. i don't have separate areas really for new chickens or recent additions. so they eat what everyone else eats and i haven't lost one yet.

i have given yogurt and powdered milk but that's about it.

 

[Lurch]

It can be very full crop but watch what you feed. No grass.
Regular chick feed and Plenty of Water to pass that food along in the crops. What they can die from is impaction. A little veggie oil and massage to see if helps. The problem is when the crop just stays full and the birds actually starve to death.
Make it mash, water might help it pass...after these crops are emptied by following the instructions above.

 

[emvickrey]

It's the crop. Their tummy's are full. They ate well. It does look strange when they hit a certain stage becaue the feathers don't cover it up.

 

[emvickrey]

Quote:
The only time I offer grit is when they get scraps or treats. That is left over veggies or bread. An occasional worm here and there too. Thats more for entertainment though.