Introducing Fermented Starter

[minus10gmt]

My new babes arrived a little sooner than expected and I was a day off on my fermented starter, so I gave them dry starter. Now I can't seem to get them to try the fermented, even if I sprinkle some dry on it. Any ideas or tips? Should I just wait another week and try again?

 

[Sagey_7878]

My new babes arrived a little sooner than expected and I was a day off on my fermented starter, so I gave them dry starter. Now I can't seem to get them to try the fermented, even if I sprinkle some dry on it. Any ideas or tips? Should I just wait another week and try again?

Hi, first of all .
If they like the dry feed, I’d let them stay on that. You can try again, but it’s essential they eat and stay healthy, and you wouldn’t want to mess with their stomachs at such a young age.

 

[minus10gmt]

Hi, first of all .
If they like the dry feed, I’d let them stay on that. You can try again, but it’s essential they eat and stay healthy, and you wouldn’t want to mess with their stomachs at such a young age.

Thanks and yes, I guess it's fine and maybe can just try later! Glad to know.

 

[ChickNanny13]

I'm thinking you meant that the FF wasn't 'ready' when the chicks arrived? You could have fed it to them, wouldn't have hurt. Don't dump out the FF, you can freeze it and restart it. If you really want them eating FF, just put it out & no dry, they'll eat it or you can try again when they're "older" but you'll have to stop feeding the dry when you do this.

 

[Perris]

if a free-ranging broody was raising them, they'd be introduced to new foods all day every day, for weeks; they simply need you to show them that it's food (dip their beaks in it)

 

[minus10gmt]

I'm thinking you meant that the FF wasn't 'ready' when the chicks arrived? You could have fed it to them, wouldn't have hurt. Don't dump out the FF, you can freeze it and restart it. If you really want them eating FF, just put it out & no dry, they'll eat it or you can try again when they're "older" but you'll have to stop feeding the dry when you do this.

Great tips! I do have some older hens so I can give to them too.

 

[minus10gmt]

if a free-ranging broody was raising them, they'd be introduced to new foods all day every day, for weeks; they simply need you to show them that it's food (dip their beaks in it)

True! I will keep trying. Did this a few times already.

 

[sealer39]

I tried to introduce FF to week old chicks and they wouldn’t have it either. Just wait a couple weeks and reintroduce it. They should like it then.
Is your starter feed medicated?

 

[ChickNanny13]

if a free-ranging broody was raising them, they'd be introduced to new foods all day every day, for weeks; they simply need you to show them that it's food (dip their beaks in it)

I've never had any issues feeding fermented Medicate Chick Starter to chicks but you need to show them it's ok to eat. Put out the FF & peck at it with your finger, may have to do it for several times a day for a few days. What are you feeding/brand?

Years ago when TSC first started with Dumor, replacing Home Grown, I found that feed fermented "different" and negative results with my girls ... Poop got mushy, black, stinky & attracted flies. Switched over to Flock Raiser, within a week, everything went back to normal. Have read others here/BYC having same results.

 

[minus10gmt]

I tried to introduce FF to week old chicks and they wouldn’t have it either. Just wait a couple weeks and reintroduce it. They should like it then.
Is your starter feed medicated?

My starter feed is not medicated. In the past when somewhat less involved with the flock, we used medicated starter. I've decided to try the unmedicated. I'll wait and try again. I love all these tips, what a great group of people!