pecking order?????

[Pele]

Quote:
Oh my goodness! At their age, more than 20% of a chick's diet HAS to be protien based. They are burning calories and their own body's protien probably faster than your average Olympic marathon runner. Every single feather on their body that they are growing is built out of protien.

Oatmeal is high protien for a grain, but usually just contains 12% protien. Your chicks are turning to canabalism in a desperate attempt to survive their body's demands. Feather pulling is the first sign.

I'd switch them to grower/developer feed asap. If you can't get a hold of that, feed them boiled eggs, cooked sausage, cooked hamburger, mealworms, whatever you can find that is a meat. (just make sure you cook it).

I hope your chicks get better!

 

[tongacat]

Quote:
Oh my goodness! At their age, more than 20% of a chick's diet HAS to be protien based. They are burning calories and their own body's protien probably faster than your average Olympic marathon runner. Every single feather on their body that they are growing is built out of protien.

Oatmeal is high protien for a grain, but usually just contains 12% protien. Your chicks are turning to canabalism in a desperate attempt to survive their body's demands. Feather pulling is the first sign.

I'd switch them to grower/developer feed asap. If you can't get a hold of that, feed them boiled eggs, cooked sausage, cooked hamburger, mealworms, whatever you can find that is a meat. (just make sure you cook it).

I hope your chicks get better!

THANKS SO MUCH!!!

but my blondie and my roo seems to do just fine.. they don't peck at each other and eat feathers

 

[tiffanya]

Pele is right. They need feed designed to meet their nutritional needs. Oatmeal is not that. Especially if they aren't free ranging and have constant access to grass etc. Birds will act like your do if they are deficient nutritionally or very bored in a small space.

 

[tongacat]

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is it ok if there's salt in the meat?

 

[tiffanya]

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is it ok if there's salt in the meat?

. Sorry, not sure I follow your question. They need a poultry feed. Less protein and more calcium as they get older and begin laying. I start mine on Purina Flock Raiser as chicks, then Nutrena Layer Pellets as they get older.

 

[mommahen64]

Quote:
is it ok if there's salt in the meat?

I think that if you don't have extra cash for feed, meat will be ok but try not to give too much salt. A little salt is probably better than not enough protein. I think someone suggested boiled eggs too. Just a thought, how about cooked beans? I know raw ones are a no-no......

Good luck!!

 

[MyChickenWishList]

Quote:
is it ok if there's salt in the meat?

Yes...they should be on a chick starter 24/7 right now. Oatmeal and watermelon are treats. I also scrambled egg for my young chicks. They are all free ranging now but I always keep the feed pan full of chick starter until this bag is gone then Ill switch to layer feed. If your chicks dont get a balanced diet (ie: the right calcium and protein) they may not grow properly.

 

[bobj8435]

Kind of late for a reply , but after reading about your troubles I would say log on to livestock concepts.com and use their search to find Rooster Booster Pick No More liquid
in a bottle that can be applied to the vicitms area of injury. This should help.

Bob