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Should I be doing something?

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by WI FarmChick, Feb 29, 2012.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Feb 29, 2012 #1
    WI FarmChick

    WI FarmChick Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Feb 22, 2012
    Wisconsin
    Should i be concerned? My 2 week old chicks are eating the baby fuzzy from the ends of the new feathers and the ones flying around when they run and jump around. Could they be lacking something in the food department. Protein?
    I do feed my own mix (this is the first time i am doing this so I am doubting myself) or is this just "normal" they run and snatch the floating fluff right from the air and they are going after the fluff on the others feathers too.
    do you think It will lead to bad habits later if I don't do something now? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank You.
     
  3. Feb 29, 2012 #2
    larsonll

    larsonll Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Aug 13, 2011
    West Georgia
    My chicks always ate the floating feathers. They would also peck and eat the end off an occasional attached fluffy feather. I always thought they were trying to catch something with the floating feathers. I'm not sure you should be worried yet.

    Mine did fine. No bad habits now 7 months later.
     
    Last edited: Feb 29, 2012
  5. Feb 29, 2012 #3
    Maggie C

    Maggie C Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Jan 26, 2012
    Largo, FL
    It doesn't hurt to increase their protein intake a bit. It's possible it could develope into a bad habit, but just as possible that it won't. I would take the preventative course and offer them a little extra protein; eggs (cooked - never raw), tuna, chicken (yeah, I know...) Mine love it when I have left over salmon or chicken. They also love a little cheese with their greens. IMHO.
     
  7. Mar 1, 2012 #4
    WI FarmChick

    WI FarmChick Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Feb 22, 2012
    Wisconsin
    I do feed my own mix, its at 17.25% I also have a vitamin supplement (from my feed mill) i add to the mix. (until i find something else) I also give greens every day and use wild finch seed mix (mostly millet) as scratch. until big enough to eat whole grains I grind some of the ingredients.
    How much should I up the protein? to 18 or 19%? More than this 20%?

    I now have 1 with a crooked neck. Just started yesterday.
    I am down there just about every hour. Is this lack of a vitamin, hereditary, or what? [​IMG]

    I am now totally doubting my ability to mix a great feed for my chicks.....They are all active and flying around. trying to roost on the top edge of the cardboard brooder which is 20+ inches tall. One made it with... the ...help...... of her neck!....wait a minute do you think she could be the one that used her neck to get on the brooders edge? could she have strained it? or is this related to other health issues?
    Not real confident at the moment [​IMG]
     

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