Omg, omg, omg, they hatched! early!

[msmolly]

Boy, I'm really glad you posted this. I've been wanting to ask if there was a danger of too much protein? My chicks this year are gobbling up the freeze dried mealworms as I said earlier, and when I realized they were 51% protein, I thought to question it. My other Hen who was the better mother died this Spring, so(without her mentor), this hen is just charging around with these chicks, hardly stopping at the feeders for the good feed. The weather has been so cold and rainy here, I can't beleive these chicks are doing as well as they are. I've been so concerned about getting some quality calories into them when ever I can interceptthe little peeps, Ive probably over compensated. Now they are completely spoiled with the meal worms and egg yolks, cuz thats what they can quickly gobble up before Mom takes off for another lap around the house. Ughhh, I'm gonna hafta rethink this...

 

[casportpony]

Boy, I'm really glad you posted this. I've been wanting to ask if there was a danger of too much protein? My chicks this year are gobbling up the freeze dried mealworms as I said earlier, and when I realized they were 51% protein, I thought to question it. My other Hen who was the better mother died this Spring, so(without her mentor), this hen is just charging around with these chicks, hardly stopping at the feeders for the good feed. The weather has been so cold and rainy here, I can't beleive these chicks are doing as well as they are. I've been so concerned about getting some quality calories into them when ever I can interceptthe little peeps, Ive probably over compensated. Now they are completely spoiled with the meal worms and egg yolks, cuz thats what they can quickly gobble up before Mom takes off for another lap around the house. Ughhh, I'm gonna hafta rethink this...

The feedstore had over 50% of their 2012 peachicks develop slipped tendon (Perosis)... Hard to say if it was from the 26.5% protein and the extra meal worms or not, 'cause mine got the same treats here and I had no issues.

According to the AAAP Avian Disease Manual, diets in excess of 30% protein can cause gout in poultry, so that's another concern...

-Kathy

 

[msmolly]

Yikes! Oh, Okay....head down, shuffling away..... I'll be good.

...I'll feed the peachcicks their proper food....But there not gonna be happy bout it

! I tried cutting them off the mealworms yesterday, and kept them locked in the pen to force them to eat from the feeders. It was torture... the peeping, the circling, the drama! Honestly, you would have thought they were six year olds, forced to sit at the table till they ate their broccoli!
So what do you feed your peachcicks?

 

[casportpony]

I must confess, lol, I broke down and bought some live mealworms for mine today.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

I have found that mine like a brand of non-medicated turkey starter that's 26.5% protein, so that's what I feed them. I'll also give them some wheat grass every now and then.

-Kathy

 

[Yoda]

Medicated chick starter and a little cracked corn as the get older. Then you can add mixed veggies to the plate. I give mine canned mixed veggies. I rinse them really well. My peas seem to like the white potatoes LOL. My local grocery store has good specials on bread buy one get 2 free so I get the birds whole wheat bread cut it up and the go crazy. Greens are good esp cut grass. I give hard boiled eggs as a treat. I do not give meal worms because I do not want them to start eating earthworms. So far I have never seen my birds eat a worm or a bug for that matter LOL They love blueberries and watermelon. I give them PASTA! I sometimes just toss them whatever is leftover from dinner too. I know a woman who feeds her birds leftover chicken and they eat it - cannibals I tell you! LOL

 

[msmolly]

Mine get all sorts of table scraps, and in the winter, the grocery saves me boxes of scrap- lettuce greens- which is a life saver. But ....besides,mealworms and egg yolks. Kraft Mac/N cheese- is a knock down, run-over your babies FAVORITE! I have read though that potatos should be avoided. Used to feed my chickens left over potatos and peels, but read that its a real no no. I was shocked at the list of foods your not supposed to feed chickens, and I assume Peacocks. Things I would have thought safe. Saw it on the web page "Fresh Eggs Daily"
I'm sure the list is on the web page somewhere.

 

[casportpony]

This is the one mine love!

-Kathy

 

[msmolly]

Now, I've done both the medicated and non medicated starter feeds.....kinda what I can get at the time, be it chicks or peachicks. I was taught long ago with chicken chicks to stay away from medicated early on. Now, I can't remember why that is. But chickens are for egg production, so I don't know if the same reasons apply to peachicks. Basicaly I'm not real clear on the pros and cons of med vs non med for peachciks. Right now I've got them on a medicated turkey starter, because thats what was available. Should I change? You said yours "liked" non medicated....is there something to that ?

 

[msmolly]

Hah ! I better go get some tomorrow! See if its better than Kraft!- ****, now I'm hungry!