I finally got the mash right!

[chickintexas]

The first time I offered chick mash to my (at the time) 2-3 day old chicks, they would look at it, shake their heads, then walk away. It's the same reaction they have when they are investigating poo. I discovered last night that I was making it too watery. Two of the chicks' crops felt almost empty even though I would watch them spend lots of time at the feeder. The other chick felt like she was going to pop. I figured I ought to give the chick mash another try but not add so much water. I added just enough water until the feed could be crumbled into much smaller pieces by rubbing the wet feed between my fingers. When I put it into the brooder, they all went nuts! They started making their happy peeping noises and pigged out. I had to give them a refill before I went to bed! Happy, happy chickies!

 

[Gonzo]

Good Deal!

 

[Sooner]

Why do you wet it for them? I just put the dry chick start down there & they eat it?

 

[chickintexas]

I thought it was odd, too, especially since the last batch of chicks I got didn't have any issues taking to the feed. I've also realized that my first batch was probably about a week old when I got them. These little guys act as if they were hatched the day before I picked them up. I've had one weird issue with these younger ones after another. Since I've been wetting down their feed, they've been great.

 

[silkiechicken]

If they just hatched, it may take 24-48 hours for them to start eating. I prefer not wetting food, as it's just plain more work to keep up with the feeders due to potential issues with spilt wet food becoming moldy and later ingested.

 

[jeremy]

I feed mine the mash as a "treat" to help socialize them. I'll get a bowl and put it as close to me as possible in the brooder and make them come near me. If they associate me with food instead of fear then later when they're grown I figured they'd be less flighty.