Question about Feed and Weight Gain.

[Bleenie]

I have about 13 little mutt layer chicks that are older. I have them on APP right now and have for a while BUT they dont seem to be gaining much weight.

should i change the feed?
supplement with something else like calf mana?

i sometimes give a small amount of wet (calf mana)mash as a treat since i have a huge bag i dont really use. would it be ok to give this to the chicks?


i know for sure that theyre not sick...just kind of skinny for some reason..

 

[cybercat]

Not knowing what APP is maybe you could list ingridents and anlysis for us. Is it chick starter? Is it 20% protein?

 

[twentynine]

App?

 

[Bleenie]

sorry, All Purpose Poultry. it is i believe 16% or more protein.

 

[twentynine]

I use Purina flock Raiser. 20% protien. nearest I can figure chickens kinda go through a skinny teenager stage.

 

[Bleenie]

I dont know how much game bird is right now but would that work? i know it's high protein also.

yeah, theyre healthy besides being skinny in the front. big buts and legs just boney on their chests. i cant figure it out. hopefully the extra protein will help.

 

[cybercat]

Quote:
What is the age of these birds? You only say in first post that they are older. Are they laying age or are they still under 17 weeks?

I would find another feed. One with higher protein Check your Yellow Pages for a local feed store or feed mill. No poultry feed is all purpose just so you know. They have stages made for chickens each with a differnt formula and ingredints. It goes chick starter for first 6 to 8 weeks, then starter/grower to 17 weeks then to layer or breeder or flock raiser depending on goal and type of chickens.

 

[Bleenie]

Theyre about 3 months old.

I buy my All Purpose Poultry at the local Dels Feed & Farm Supply. It's made by Land O' Lakes and is 18% protein. I just called to double check.

my older birds did fine on it. These guys are about 12 weeks, i've heard of the grower but everyone i talked to about it suggests game bird for weight issues, it ranges from 16-20%.

The calf manna i have is around 24%protein. I have used it in the past with rescued bunnies and know its approved for use in poultry. I do know not to feed it straight for birds though, i always use it in a wet mash with other goodies. I just dont knwo how much would be okay daily for the birds.

The bunnies with from boney to beastly in less than 2 weeks with just mixing a little in with their regular feed everyday.

 

[Chris09]

Are you feeding any scratch grain?
What I would do is up the protein to at least 18% protein 20% is better and add some higher fat grains in as a scratch grain id say around 2 cups or so...
This is what I beed mixing as a scratch for my Rhode Island Reds...

This mix should come out to 10.9% Protein and 7.8% Fat
Wheat.................................... 45 Lbs
Cracked Corn......................... 20 Lbs
Clipped (race horse) Oats........ 15 Lbs
Black Oiled Sunflower Seed... 10 Lbs
Safflower Seed...................... 10 Lbs

Chris

 

[Bleenie]

I havent been feeding an scratch. i was just thinking about looking for ways to up the fat. thats for the recipe i will have to try it out.

i gotta make a feed run tomorrow and i will pick up everything then.

thank you everyone!