Meyer add-ons? Vitamins, meal maker, etc

[7freedoms]

Hi all!

We have an order for our first 6 chicks from Meyer!

A few questions... They have options for vital-pack, grogel, and vital-pack plus. Are these just supplies or are they beneficial for the chicks during transport, and will be available to them?

Also- meal maker! Looks like this is a free chick? We selected females for our chicks... Good chance the bonus chick will be a rooster? Wouldn't be the end of the world, just trying to decide if we should take advantage.

Thanks all

 

[7freedoms]

Anyone?

 

[thegoodlife1961]

I'm getting new chicks next week too. New to this also, but have done plenty of reading & research, so I'll do my best here. The items you described are supplies, to be used after you get the chicks home. They won't even have access to them during transport. Sometimes these items are shipped in the box under the bedding, so be sure & check before you throw away the box they come in. I'm getting the gro gel also. Its to be mixed with water & used the day they come home. The vitamins you can use in their water for a few days. Both products help to get them off to a good start & alleviate stress caused by shipping. Good luck on your new chicks!

 

[Kilsharion]

They have nothing to do with transport. They are transported without food and water, which is why they are shipped day one - it gives them a couple of days to travel to you before they begin to require food/water.

You can get vitamins to add to your chick's water at your local feed store without having to purchase from Meyer's. Some swear by those gro-gels and vita packs. I've never used them and have no desire to do so. Bright green goo = tons of food dyes and chemicals that I have no interest in putting in my birds' bodies. But, that's my personal opinion.

You can add a touch of molasses or sugar to their water to give them a boost on arrival without having to pay for these "special" products, too.

 

[7freedoms]

Thank you! That's what I figured re: supplies. It seems like there are a lot of options for supplements so I will likely purchase them on my own instead of from Meyer. Do think I'm going to ask for a Meal Maker though eeeeek!

 

[mtnviewfarms]

I have ordered chicks from Meyer for over three years, hundreds of chicks, never had taken advantage of the 'meal maker' until two orders ago.

It's just a 'free' chick - they told me mine would be female and they sent a little RIR last time and the time before that a Buff Orp. I also just ordered
the Vital Pak nutrients last order and - it's enough for about a million chicks - so if you get it only order one!

I always have good luck with my chicks - used to start from day one with adding a little ACV with the Mother in their waterer but this time used the
Meyer Vital Pak - liked the amount and various nutrients it has in it and the chicks did great - after 5 days of it I switched to using the ACV.

It is extremely stressful to the chicks to be shipped across the country and I'm all for giving them anything that will help them through it and get a strong and healthy start in life.