Maine

[lazy gardener]

What kind of feed was this? I never really studied the label, but I usually use Purina "start and grow" (at least I think that's what it is called). I've never had an issue with it in the past. I'll have to check the protein content on the label....

It is Dumour Starter and Grower. I think I'll take the un opened bag back and get a different brand. I've been checking the "Raising baby chicks" thread, and seeing that a lot of people have been having issues with their chicks demonstrating this condition. So much for just giving birds the packaged food "because it is nutritionally balanced and gives them every thing they need." Even the stuff I bought says it is good for 0 - POL. I think the issue is Vitamin E deficiency, but it stands to reason that if that is deficient, other nutrients would be lacking as well. In the mean time, my chicks are getting vitamins, spinnach, eggs, grit, and a variety of grains in addition to the chick starter. Since I've been supplementing, their crops are much fuller, and they seem more active.

 

[pellepeterson]

WARNING TO ALL NEWBIES WHO ARE STARTING CHICKS THIS YEAR, WITH MYSELF AT THE TOP OF THE LIST. CHICK STARTER IS NOT THE SAME AS CHICK STARTER AND GROWER. Without knowing the difference, I bought "starter and grower" which has 4% less protein, and I'm guessing that the overall nutrient level is inferior to starter. I almost lost a little chick, but luckily caught the issue in time, and thanks to all of the wonderful info on BYC, was able to save the chick. Sunday night when I went down to check the babies, I found one of the Doms laying off in a corner, looking half dead. I picked it up and it was unconsious. I was able to revive it, and tucked it back under the lamp, expecting to find it dead the next morning. Amazingly, it was still alive, but demonstrating neurological issues. It couldn't hold it's head up, it's toes were curled in spasm, and it's head kept pulling forward and tucking between it's legs. When it tried to move, it would run backwards with head tucked between legs until it ran into something, then it would fall down unconsious. After research, I started Vitamin E, multi-vits, and baby bird hand feeding formula. Yesterday, I had to hold it up to feed it, today, it demanded to perch on my finger to be fed. I don't consider it cured yet, but hold out hope for a full recovery. LONG STORY SHORT, BEWARE OF FEED THAT DOESN'T MEET ALL OF THE NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF YOUR CHICKS.

I just bought a 50 pounder on Tuesday, started my first 8 chicks on it on Wednesday morning. Same day, brought home 6 more chicks from TSC and they all seem to love the feed. I have not noticed anything out of the ordinary, no physical ailments but I will be keeping a keen eye on them. Appreciate the heads up and will keep you posted! Thanks

 

[lazy gardener]

I know tractor supply has a chick starter with higher protien but more for game birds, turkeys. it's fine to feed the chick starter and grower if you don't have anything but chicks.

Thanks Hoppy. I did not want to disparage the brand, and knew that if I posted that some one with experience would weigh in on the subject. I'm glad to hear from you that the 20% protein is not the cause. From what I've read, it's strictly vitamin E deficiency, and nutrition in feed tends to deteriorate over time. I just wanted to give people a heads up so if they see this problem, they can treat it. Have you had experience with Dumour, and this question is for you and all of the other long term chicken people out there: Regarding prepared general chicken feed, (starter, grower and layer pellets) have any of you noticed an appreciable difference in quality and outcome when using one feed over an other. Of course, the length of time a bag of feed has been sitting around in the feed store plays a role also.

 

[kinsey228]

Well, hubby wasn't AS mad as I thought he was going to be about the 15 extra eggs. So today 4 Wheaten Marans, 3 Ameraucana, 3 Olive egger, 2 Blue Marans, 2 Welsummer and 1 Cuckoo Marans eggs are settling getting ready for the incubator, and whatever my girls lay today will be going in. Probably some EE and Barred rocks. At least I'll be ready for April's swaps

 

[kinsey228]

Thanks Hoppy.  I did not want to disparage the brand, and knew that if I posted that some one with experience would weigh in on the subject.  I'm glad to hear from you that the 20% protein is not the cause.  From what I've read, it's strictly vitamin E deficiency, and nutrition in feed tends to deteriorate over time.  I just wanted to give people a heads up so if they see this problem, they can treat it.  Have you had experience with Dumour, and this question is for you and all of the other long term chicken people out there:  Regarding prepared general chicken feed, (starter, grower and layer pellets) have any of you noticed an appreciable difference in quality and outcome when using one feed over an other.  Of course, the length of time a bag of feed has been sitting around in the feed store plays a role also.

I try to get my feed from a local place in New Sharon. A 55 lb. bag is like $15, and an 80lb one is around $23. My chickens seem to like it more than the feed I would get from TSC. When I did get the TSC feed, I would usually get the Dumour brand, and once in a while I would get the other brands. (They have prettier bags and I reuse them.) I couldn't tell a difference in those brands. Since I started w/ chicks, I have used the chick feed first, then the grower. But that's just me.

 

[lazy gardener]

I try to get my feed from a local place in New Sharon. A 55 lb. bag is like $15, and an 80lb one is around $23. My chickens seem to like it more than the feed I would get from TSC. When I did get the TSC feed, I would usually get the Dumour brand, and once in a while I would get the other brands. (They have prettier bags and I reuse them.) I couldn't tell a difference in those brands. Since I started w/ chicks, I have used the chick feed first, then the grower. But that's just me.

Brand name??? sounds like a great price.

 

[kinsey228]

Brand name???  sounds like a great price.

I can't remember right off the top of my head. I will have to go to the coop and check one of the bags. It's a Canadian brand.

 

[Clover Run]

I try to get my feed from a local place in New Sharon. A 55 lb. bag is like $15, and an 80lb one is around $23. My chickens seem to like it more than the feed I would get from TSC. When I did get the TSC feed, I would usually get the Dumour brand, and once in a while I would get the other brands. (They have prettier bags and I reuse them.) I couldn't tell a difference in those brands. Since I started w/ chicks, I have used the chick feed first, then the grower. But that's just me.

The feed from Whitewater in New Sharon is from Canada - it is a superior product to American brands. I buy there as well.

 

[geoaware]

HI all....

We moved into Casco from Colorado a few years ago...and have just bought our first chicks to add to our farm menagerie.

Just wanted to say hi and hope you will all be patient with us as we re-learn the world of chickens.

 

[wife2abirdman]

Quote: I would love to know the name, I live on the border I would hope we could get it up here too!

Maybe I will stop in that store on the way down So Me this summer and see if I can pick up a whole bunch.