Store out of 20%, is 15% okay and for how long?

[Stonerowfarm]

I have had my now 9-week old chicks on 20% protein crumbles. TSC has been out of this for over a week and I just ran out of my supply (these little guys eat tons).

I picked up 15% to tide them over but the store doesn't know if the 20% will be in on Friday or not. So, the question is - how long can the eat this lower protein and be okay and should I be supplementing them with something until it comes in.

Thanks

 

[CoopCrazy]

What breed are they? Meat or Layers?

 

[jbowen9]

If your worried i have used catfood in the past to bring protein up it is according to what you have you have to grind it though or use soft but that makes a mess with your chicks

 

[Stonerowfarm]

Sorry about that - they are layers. Black sex link hens and one little RIR roo. I'm trying to find another store locally who carries it, but it seems like chicks are huge in my area all the sudden and the store can't keep stocked.

 

[cybercat]

Check your yellow pages for real feed store. You should be able to find on even if you have to drive a bit to get to it. If you feed dog or cat dry food make sure to grind it up smaller so chicks can handle it.

 

[CARS]

Quote:
Tell me about it. I can't believe how hard it was to get what I wanted this year. I've even heard of stores running out of wood shavings!!

I've never had this problem before. Would you people just quit ordering chicks and let me do what I have been doing. This is getting to be too much work. Drive here for one breed, here for another, pick up shavings here... hey, there's a sale on heat lamp bulbs here............