My chicks won't eat starter...Help!

[Amyc1080]

So my chicks just hatched on April 25th, and they will eat the chicken scratch, but not the starter. I have started wetting it and they eat like crazy...should I be wetting it? How long do I keep doing that? Sugguestions please!!!

 

[Catwmn]

It is my understanding that they are not supposed to have scratch until at least three weeks as they cannot digest it. I would wet it and feed it that way. Mine personally always ate it from birth dry but if yours won't and you have to wet it then do it that way.

 

[OR4-hmom]

I ran problems with the bantams. They didn't like the starter either and I made mash for them until they got older. I now mix chick scratch 50/50 into the first 10 pound bag of starter, I usually have a large number in my brooder, it has helped me avoid pasty butt. It was recommemded by the feed store and it acts like "grit".

 

[dancingflower68]

Mine have access to dry crumbles all the time (which they eat fine), but a couple of times a day I wet some on a little saucer and they go nuts for that! Once a day I mix in a little plain yogurt and sprinkle hard boiled egg yolk on top which they love!!! They fight over the bits of yolk. They are 8 days old today!

 

[Amyc1080]

The feed store that I bought the starter food at told me to feed them 50/50 starter mixed with scratch to avoid pasty butt. They seem to have loose stools though but no pasty butts so far. I guess I will keep wetting the food for awhile.

 

[marlo1968]

The feed store that I bought the starter food at told me to feed them 50/50 starter mixed with scratch to avoid pasty butt. They seem to have loose stools though but no pasty butts so far. I guess I will keep wetting the food for awhile.

Humm, haven't heard that idea yet, think I'll try it, thanks for the info

 

[Cheeky Chick]

Oooops, I didn't see this. I made a little warm chick starter mash with warm water this morning. They went crazy!

My girls are full and sleepy. Happy little chickies!

 

[Nsampsel]

Guess my chicks are deprived...they have 2 eat the flock raiser or go without. None have refused yet!!!

I always add a little grit tho, so no pasty butt. Plus mine get mealworms & stuff too. I've just never done a "mash."

 

[Gallus Sapien]

Guess my chicks are deprived...they have 2 eat the flock raiser or go without. None have refused yet!!!

I always add a little grit tho, so no pasty butt. Plus mine get mealworms & stuff too. I've just never done a "mash."

X2


A bit of starter, then fine sand does the trick for me. Do not worry until day 3 if your chicks are picky.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

I had the same problem with my chicks this year..they wouldn't eat their chick feed. So I put 2 ducks in with them, the ducks loved the chick feed and the chicks imitated the ducks...problem solved...course now I have 2 ducks.