Mixing Buttermilk with Feed for chicks

[CristinaLa]

I've seen a few posts on here about giving your chicks buttermilk mixed in there feed. This is suppose to help with Pasty Butt and brooder smell.. has anyone tried this? Does anyone know how to mix this and dry it? I've seen 1/3 tablespoon per chick, but how much feed.. and how do you dry it?

 

[Michael Apple]

Proper brooder temperature and the addition of chick scratch the first week assists with pasting. Vitamins and electrolytes in the water supplement growth and maintain hydration. Buttermilk is a good occasional protein supplement for adult birds but contains too much sodium and calcium for young chicks.

 

[CristinaLa]

ok.. thank you Michael.. I have the temp right..and I have them on Medicated Chick Food, is that the same as Chicken Scratch.. I'm sorry I am new to this.. these are my first chicks ever.. I have been giving them the water supplement.

I do have another question, at what age do you add Grit or sand to the brooder? Will that help them not get pasty butt. I only have one chick who sometimes gets it at this point. I just want to help the little guy as much as I can.

 

[Michael Apple]

ok.. thank you Michael.. I have the temp right..and I have them on Medicated Chick Food, is that the same as Chicken Scratch.. I'm sorry I am new to this.. these are my first chicks ever.. I have been giving them the water supplement.

I do have another question, at what age do you add Grit or sand to the brooder? Will that help them not get pasty butt. I only have one chick who sometimes gets it at this point. I just want to help the little guy as much as I can.

You're welcome. Chick scratch is finely ground whole grains, and there is no nutritional downside since chicks are still absorbing the yolk in their bodies the first few days, especially if you are using vitamins in the water as well. Pasting up is a common irritation the first day or two due to shipping stress, getting a comfortable temperature adjusted, and their digestive systems are just beginning to digest feed. Chick feed is formulated to be easily digestible, so grit is not a necessity. Birds outside on range are being fed larger size whole grains, ranging on grasses, herbs, and seed, need grit to grind these more fibrous foods. Once my chick's digestive systems are in working order, at about 2 weeks I begin sprinkling fine chick grit on their feed like one would do with salt and pepper once a week. Be sure to follow directions on the particular water supplements you use. Too much of a good thing can cause problems also.