Runt silkie chick - how can I help him/her?

[Oncoming Storm]

Oh believe me, I’m keeping an eye on it. I’m pretty sure she dreads seeing me come into the coop because the first thing I do is scoop her up to look her over. Lol but they are the sweetest, aren’t they? She just is so calm and gentle. But thank you for the kind words and wisdom. I will definitely look into getting some more protein into her one way or another. Would adding calf manna to her feed be a good idea do you think? I will provide scrambled eggs here and there as a treat but I sure do want her every day feed to have more protein in it, especially since she has all day access to it.

Her thoughts: Ah yes the food provider I guess I kinda like her. Lol Silkes Are the best!

 

[Gilded Feather]

I use tucker milling gmo free feed now, all my babies have done really well on it and it’s only 18%. I can’t find a lot of higher protein chick starters. You might be able to use grower feed just for a little while since the protein ratios are different.

Ok, thank you for the suggestion! I’m in the same boat I believe. The feed here that is most easily accessible is 18% it seems. I have seen a 20% I think and just checked online to see if my local TSC carries a higher protein (which they do, a 24%), but I would wager they don’t have much of it kept in stock as it is a bit pricier than the normal bag and everyone here is more money conscious when it comes to feed with their animals.

 

[Gilded Feather]

Her thoughts: Ah yes the food provider I guess I kinda like her. Lol Silkes Are the best!

Well I sure hope that’s what she’s thinking and not something else! Lol! But they are! I was completely smitten the first time I saw them.

 

[Oncoming Storm]

Well I sure hope that’s what she’s thinking and not something else! Lol! But they are! I was completely smitten the first time I saw them.

I completely agree! I’ve tried several times to get some but they’ve never worked out. My closest is Beanie, who’s a mix. And then there’s my friend who breeds and shows Silkes and I’m over here drooling like “gimme soooome!”

 

[123RedBeard]

Probiotic's may help ... read this ... https://metzerfarms.blogspot.com/2018/03/what-causes-runts.html?m=1 ... yogurt could help, or get a poultry probiotic ...

You could also get the 24% protein feed, and mix in 50% with your 18% ... so you'd end up with 21% ...

 

[Gilded Feather]

I completely agree! I’ve tried several times to get some but they’ve never worked out. My closest is Beanie, who’s a mix. And then there’s my friend who breeds and shows Silkes and I’m over here drooling like “gimme soooome!”

I’m right there with you! Even though I have my own I still drool all over my screen at everyone’s birds on here. Lol I don’t have a problem, I swear!

 

[Gilded Feather]

Probiotic's may help ... read this ... https://metzerfarms.blogspot.com/2018/03/what-causes-runts.html?m=1 ... yogurt could help, or get a poultry probiotic ...

You could also get the 24% protein feed, and mix in 50% with your 18% ... so you'd end up with 21% ...

Oh wow! Very interesting read! I will definitely look into this. But hey, good idea you! Thanks!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I use the 20% flock raiser most often (oyster shell on the side for layers) since my flock is ever changing. But 24% is not too much IMO and I sometimes feed a 30% protein turkey starter (made by Purina but not stocked at TSC). I bred and hatched Silkies for a few years.. they were WAY too broody for me so I don't keep them any more.

Also note it isn't always just protein content that matters but the amino acids.

Really Dumor is not my favorite brand even though it is made by Purina for TSC. I can't believe the Purina chick starter is 18%.. by that I mean shocked... I swear back when I first kept chickens it was 22%. I think the nature wise is also made by them as the parent company. Their "meat bird" formula is 22%. Back then meat bird feed was 25% but changed in the past few years. I would try the 24% and see how your birds like it and do. Second suggestion would be the flock raiser... Either mix with your old feed as suggested or seal up your old feed and store in a cool dry location until the new bag is used up.

Poultry nutri drench is a great supplement and even has some amino acids. Giving vitamins counter acts the effect of the medicated part of the feed and should not be used if treating for coccidiosis. But if all is dry enough with lots of space and the water is poo free no one showing any symptoms of coccidiosis... it would be a nice boost. Feeds are often formulated to meet a minimum need... sometimes it isn't enough for an individual and a little extra in this case won't hurt those who may not particularly need it. They may benefit as well even. No supplement should be given more than 10 days in a row.

Try not to forget that sometimes it's just different genetics. I'm not 100% sure that splay leg isn't genetic, and that's why I cull for it.

Hope she thrives!

 

[Gilded Feather]

I use the 20% flock raiser most often (oyster shell on the side for layers) since my flock is ever changing. But 24% is not too much IMO and I sometimes feed a 30% protein turkey starter (made by Purina but not stocked at TSC). I bred and hatched Silkies for a few years.. they were WAY too broody for me so I don't keep them any more.

Also note it isn't always just protein content that matters but the amino acids.

Really Dumor is not my favorite brand even though it is made by Purina for TSC. I can't believe the Purina chick starter is 18%.. by that I mean shocked... I swear back when I first kept chickens it was 22%. I think the nature wise is also made by them as the parent company. Their "meat bird" formula is 22%. Back then meat bird feed was 25% but changed in the past few years. I would try the 24% and see how your birds like it and do. Second suggestion would be the flock raiser... Either mix with your old feed as suggested or seal up your old feed and store in a cool dry location until the new bag is used up.

Poultry nutri drench is a great supplement and even has some amino acids. Giving vitamins counter acts the effect of the medicated part of the feed and should not be used if treating for coccidiosis. But if all is dry enough with lots of space and the water is poo free no one showing any symptoms of coccidiosis... it would be a nice boost. Feeds are often formulated to meet a minimum need... sometimes it isn't enough for an individual and a little extra in this case won't hurt those who may not particularly need it. They may benefit as well even. No supplement should be given more than 10 days in a row.

Try not to forget that sometimes it's just different genetics. I'm not 100% sure that splay leg isn't genetic, and that's why I cull for it.

Hope she thrives!

Now see, this is why I like to get different opinions on things. You touched on a couple areas I didn’t even think about. Thank you for all the info!

 

[123RedBeard]

So ... any improvements?