No waste feeders Failure to thrive

[WindDwarf]

So, I had a large batch of chicks hatch and put 50 together in one brooder. They were all doing fine, and then I introduced them to the no mess feeder ports. I had 6 ports available for the chicks, but after a few days I noticed that several of the chicks were not growing in size. Several had even been crushed by the others or just seemed to die from lack of nutrition. Most were doing just fine and growing very well. My suspicion is that the bigger chicks were pushing the smaller ones out of the way. I'm curious if anyone else has noticed this kind of problem, and or if anyone has a suggestion for a better feed port to chick ratio. The picture shows two chicks hatched the same day from the same clutch of eggs. As you can see there is a noticeable difference in size.

In the mean time, I have separated the smaller chicks from their larger brood mates to give them a better chance for success. All are still surviving.

 

[sourland]

Sounds like they need more feeding stations so that the less aggressive chicks get enough to eat.

 

[Kayles Quail Farm]

So, I had a large batch of chicks hatch and put 50 together in one brooder. They were all doing fine, and then I introduced them to the no mess feeder ports. I had 6 ports available for the chicks, but after a few days I noticed that several of the chicks were not growing in size. Several had even been crushed by the others or just seemed to die from lack of nutrition. Most were doing just fine and growing very well. My suspicion is that the bigger chicks were pushing the smaller ones out of the way. I'm curious if anyone else has noticed this kind of problem, and or if anyone has a suggestion for a better feed port to chick ratio. The picture shows two chicks hatched the same day from the same clutch of eggs. As you can see there is a noticeable difference in size.

In the mean time, I have separated the smaller chicks from their larger brood mates to give them a better chance for success. All are still surviving.

With my birds, I wait until they are 4 weeks old and I place them in their cages before using the feeder ports on them. I've attached a picture of the only feeder I will use in my brooders. Any younger than that and they won't be able to get to the food and any larger birds will block them. I have never had any problem with these red feeders. I understand the feed waste is a pain but I just put up with it until they go into their cages.

 

[Chip76]

Looks like that little one is getting picked on. She has a bald spot on her back. Probably good you separated them. My first batch of quail didn't like one of their siblings and would try to block her from getting to the food and water. So I had to keep her separated. She turned out to be the only female. Not sure if that was a factor.

 

[WindDwarf]

for those interested, I installed 12 feeder ports into the side wall of the brooder box, and found that for 61 birds it was enough. They all got enough to eat, no one was falling behind in size due to lack of feeding.