Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[Chickielady]

So, I need to get some shell when I put the chicks on Flock Raiser? Would I mix them together or put it in a separate feeder? Do I need to put out any grit now, too? We have their run on the grass right now so there's no real dirt or rocks there for them to eat. So many questions for this first-timer. Hopefully, one of these days I'll know what I'm doing and be able to help others. Thanks again for your help.

Who told you to use "any 20% protein ?" Only large breeds need flock raiser (DUCKS< GEESE<Large fowl chickens, Turkeys)

SEE: http://en.engormix.com/MA-poultry-i.../avian-gout-causes-treatment-t1246/165-p0.htm

Most chickens raised on 20% protein end up with issues such as Gout.......within months of hatch.........20% is way too much protein for a chicken breed, and far above what is recommended for large breeds such as Geese & large chickens such as the Jersey Giant or Buckeye, which is recommended they have Flockraiser at 17% and no highrer protein.
Gout is a serious issue with poultry !
It results from far too much protein urate crystals embedding in the joints...happens to all of us living on dry land.
And it is painful !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joints are so inflammed.
I have seen quite a few of these birds at poultry shows !
Feeding more protein is NOT A GOOD THING.
When you have common layer chicks, raise them up on chick starter (medicated unless you give amprolium in their water) and when they are of gae (2-3 mo old) give them layer crumbles.
They (chickens) do not need Flock raiser, which is for meat birds, ducks and geese.

 

[Chickielady]

Question. So I have my chicks and I was told that they were vaccinated already (at least the older ones). The ones I got from a friend, I trust. The others I don't. Is there any side effects of vaccinating twice? I just don't trust people.

not that I know of, but make sure you know what they were supposibly vaccinated for...I vaccinate for 2 things right now in WA

 

[Chickielady]

Anyone know where I could get Salmon Favoroles in Sw Wa?

ask after the chicken rustler in soth WA and ElizM in the north

 

[Chickielady]

Anyone know where I could get Salmon Favoroles in Sw Wa?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/u/54669/elizmartin talk to her by PM & ask her where to go & who to see

 

[torrelee]

My silkie hen has definately gone broody 6 days into incubating my first set of eggs. I am estimating that she has been setting for 3-4 days. She pecked my husband when he tried to look under her so I just left her alone with food and water in easy reach. Chicken math strikes again!
Now I have to figure out if I should give her a couple extra, give her all the babies, or keep all of my incubator babies seperate? Maybe I should share the 3 I stole from her for the incubator!

 

[Shanny050]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/u/54669/elizmartin  talk to her by PM & ask her where to go & who to see

Thank you!

 

[CarolynF]

Quote:


I'm the person that mentioned Flock Raiser (20%) and I agree that excessive protein is unnecessary. . Purina recommends either Start & Grow (18%) or Flock Raiser (20%) for free-range or confined flocks up to 18 weeks. In the article you linked above it says "Feed containing more than 30% of protein causes uric acid production which in turn creates an excretory load on kidneys." It also says "Excess dietary calcium... " and a few other things contribute to gout issues.

I'm surprised that you recommend giving Layer Feed to chicks of only 8-12 weeks old. Layer feed has too much calcium and can do damage internally. The youngest age I've ever heard was 16 weeks and more often 18 weeks. I much prefer to offer shell in a separate feeder to allow them to begin eating it voluntarily when their body requires it as they approach lay. Especially since many breeds don't lay until 6-8 months.

 

[Frenchcuffs13]

Who told you to use "any 20% protein ?" Only large breeds need flock raiser (DUCKS< GEESE<Large fowl chickens, Turkeys)

SEE: http://en.engormix.com/MA-poultry-i.../avian-gout-causes-treatment-t1246/165-p0.htm

Most chickens raised on 20% protein end up with issues such as Gout.......within months of hatch.........20% is way too much protein for a chicken breed, and far above what is recommended for large breeds such as Geese & large chickens such as the Jersey Giant or Buckeye, which is recommended they have Flockraiser at 17% and no highrer protein.
Gout is a serious issue with poultry !
It results from far too much protein urate crystals embedding in the joints...happens to all of us living on dry land.
And it is painful !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joints are so inflammed.
I have seen quite a few of these birds at poultry shows !
Feeding more protein is NOT A GOOD THING.
When you have common layer chicks, raise them up on chick starter (medicated unless you give amprolium in their water) and when they are of gae (2-3 mo old) give them layer crumbles.
They (chickens) do not need Flock raiser, which is for meat birds, ducks and geese.

Awe crap. I got flock raiser. They are currently 2 mos old. They seem fine, no noticeable issues. (Welsummer, CA Grey, Legbar) > Should I go back to chick starter or give layer crumble? Our crumble is 22% protein...............

 

[Manningjw]

I'm the person that mentioned Flock Raiser (20%) and I agree that excessive protein is unnecessary. . Purina recommends either Start & Grow (18%) or Flock Raiser (20%) for free-range or confined flocks up to 18 weeks. In the article you linked above it says "Feed containing more than 30% of protein causes uric acid production which in turn creates an excretory load on kidneys." It also says "Excess dietary calcium... " and a few other things contribute to gout issues.

I'm surprised that you recommend giving Layer Feed to chicks of only 8-12 weeks old. Layer feed has too much calcium and can do damage internally. The youngest age I've ever heard was 16 weeks and more often 18 weeks. I much prefer to offer shell in a separate feeder to allow them to begin eating it voluntarily when their body requires it as they approach lay. Especially since many breeds don't lay until 6-8 months.

I agree. 20% protein should be safe if not even preferred for a healthy juvenile chicken, and they should not get layer feed until they are near or at point of lay. I often will mix in grower feed when they are going through a molt for their increased protein needs.

I haven't seen a detriment from too high of protein before, but I never have had more the 20% either. I have seen what happens when you feed too low of a protein feed in my friend's flock - delayed point of lay, feather plucking, cannibalism etc. There are also some good pictures of two hens both at the same age from the same genetic line, one of them fed a low protein cracked corn diet who looks immature and unhealthy, and the other who was fed a normal 18-20% diet who looked to be at POL and very healthy. I wish I could find that picture again...

 

[xoxocammyxoxo]

How old are the chicks? It won't hurt them to be vaccinated twice, but after a certain age it would probably be irrelevant, especially if they have already been exposed to the outdoors or other chickens.

They are around a couple months old.

not that I know of, but make sure you know what they were supposibly vaccinated for...I vaccinate for 2 things right now in WA

Mareks