Is this starter feed good?

[Wheely]

I purchased this feed for newly hatched chicks and they seem to not go for it...not sure what the problem is. It is dumor 20% starter/grower from tractor supply
http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...9185_______14602|16201|49185?listingPage=true

 

[simba49450]

hi there,

thats what i bought for my chicks. depending on how young they may need that sugar water. if they are about 1 week the 20% is perfect. just whatever you do do not get the 24%. it makes them grow and feather out way too soon. but stick with the 20%. and good luck

 

[Wheely]

thanks.... these are about 24 hours old, is this feed to get them going or should i try something else?

 

[simba49450]

i would personally look on line and see what they suggest. once they get over the sugar water type stuff the feed will be great. oh when they start eating the feed be sure to get them chick starter grit that will help too.

 

[cmom]

I agree with simba49450. They will eat it. If you can't find chick grit, then either smash up some regular granite grit or put some sand in a dish for them.I couldn't fine chick grit or they were out of it, so I smashed some granite grit, Then I saw a post about sand so I gave that to them too instead of smashing more granite grit.

 

[Chickenaddict]

Baby chicks at least the ones i have hatched didn't really have an interest in the chick feed until day 3. You could try making a mash with the feed and a bit of water and see if they eat it that way.

 

[MissPrissy]

Newly hatched chicks may not have any interest in food for 2 or 3 days.

Keep plenty of water and fresh food out and they will begin investigating it soon it. Keep and eye on them and make sure they begin drinking by late day 2 or 3 and help them along if needed by gently dipping their beak in the water to introduce them to it. They will catch on VERY quickly.

Enjoy your fluffy butts.

 

[flakey chick]

Thats what I used for my chicks, and it wasn't all that great. Maybe it's because they were bantams, but it didn't seem crushed fine enough for them to get much out of it. They ate a lot and pooped a lot. It didn't look much different coming out than going in. More grit could help with that. On the plus side their poo smelled like chicken feed.

 

[Wheely]

thanks for the replies...I took the feed and smashed it into even smaller bits...placed it in the palm of my hand and they went for it....funny looking all 4 fit into my hand and tried eating...thanks again

 

[simba49450]

hi there

im glad that it worked, good luck on your little babies and keep us posted. and congrats