Spoiled Food! Hungry Chicks!

[backintime]

Yesterday I picked up 18 Cornish Cross chicks and a bag of broiler starter from the local feed store (a small-time outfit!) and when I got home and opened the bag, it was damp and REEKED. After getting the chicks settled, I ran back to the feed store and exchanged it for another bag, which was also spoiled. I remembered reading that some folks feed game bird feed to their broilers, so I bought and opened a bag, which looked dry and unspoiled (though by now I suspect all the food must be old/stale) so I bought it and came home to feed the chicks.

Well, this stuff is in HUGE pellets which the chicks can't seem to eat. This morning, desperate to keep them from starving, I gave them some layer feed, which is in tiny crumbles, just to keep them from starving. They gobbled it up.

I can't drive out of town to another feed store until Saturday, so here's my question. What the heck should I feed them over the next few days? Is the layer feed safe for 2 days? I know it has too much calcium, but will it hurt them over this short time period?

Or would it be better to make a mash with game bird feed and water so they can swallow the stuff?

 

[A.T. Hagan]

For just two days layer feed won't hurt them, but I'd get fresh feed for them as soon as possble.

Pour a little hot water over the game bird pellets and they'll turn to mush. Feed it in a bowl. You want it thick, not soupy.

.....Alan.

 

[backintime]

Good idea, Alan - if they eat both game bird feed "mush" and the layer feed, the protein would balance out and they'd get less calcium. THANKS! Any other ideas appreciated!