Thin peepers

[Peeptoad]

My flock is aging and I picked up a batch of assorted peeps at TS back in April. They are adolescent now and I can feel their breast bones. They are on crumble and cracked corn. My daughter sends all sorts of goodies from her kitchen. I also provide them with fresh herbs and grass. They are on the ground and scratch and peck. What can I supplement? They do like 12% sweet I feed the mare.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

I'd increase their protein, and cut out the cracked corn. What's the protein % on the crumbles you feed?

 

[Acre4Me]

You may not realize, but you are diluting their nutritional needs too much. As chicks, their diet should be as close to 100pct feed as possible and their protein needs are 18-22% in their feed. They are not getting enough chicken appropriate food (protein/fat ratio along with vits/mins/amino acids).

So, first you should remove the cracked corn for now. Any treats/extras should be no greater than 10 pct of their diet, but this includes the bugs they are eating (yum!) and scraps from kitchen.

Good luck to your chicks and hope they pick up in growth and weight!

 

[Peeptoad]

Ok. Would oats and/or cottonseed meal help?
They love a flock block and will devour one in three days. 21 peeps, 4 old hens and Big Moe's the Rooster.

 

[Peeptoad]

16%

 

[Peeptoad]

They have feed all the time in their trays.. I scatter the corn.

 

[PirateGirl]

cracked corn. My daughter sends all sorts of goodies from her kitchen. I also provide them with fresh herbs and grass

All of this is diluting the protein content of their overall diet. They need the protein while they are actively growing. Either cut out all the extras or purchase a higher protein feed.

 

[Acre4Me]

16%

This is low for a grower crumble. The chicks should get a higher protein feed as they are actively growing. In addition, it is usually a layer feed that is 16% protein, and then has a 3-4% of Calcium in it for the laying hen's needs. However, a growing, non-laying chick does not need the extra calcium, neither does the rooster. Often, people with mixed flocks will instead feed a grower feed to all their birds (all the time), then add Oyster Shell on the side for the laying hens to eat as they need it.

We are able to purchase a 20% grower pellet from our feed store, then we add OS on the side. We feed medicated feed to the young chicks, then switch to grower crumble (non-medicated) then to a pellet once they are big enough.

Sometimes, people will use a turkey starter (22-24%) for the chicks, too.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

All those kitchen goodies are the equivalent of giving kids all the popcorn and candy they can eat all day and then wondering why they aren't hungry at mealtime. You need to cut out the snacks and provide only the commercial food until they fatten up, because that's where the protein is that will enable them to put on lean muscle mass.

They need to learn to eat the protein and not the snacks, just like kids, you see. Once they put on some weight and look healthy you can add a LITTLE extra goodies.

@PirateGirl , think worms could be a factor?

 

[Willowspirit]

They have feed all the time in their trays.. I scatter the corn.

this is sort of like putting out nice scrambled eggs with cheese, a strip of bacon and fresh fruit on the breakfast table and just as the kids sit down hungry, throwing peanut butter cups on the table and telling the kids to help themselves. Obviously the calories they take in from the chocolate will reduce their appetite for that yummy meal.