What's gro-gel? And what else do I need before chicks arrive?

[4myHennyPenny]

Sorry, I'm new and have never heard of it. Just read about it on someone else's post. They mentioned that they used it with their last order of chicks and didn't lose any, whereas with past orders when they didn't use gro-gel, they did lose chicks.

If I need it, where can I find it? And other than the chick feed, a brooder set-up with bedding, a chick feeder and waterer, heat lamp... what else would I need to have on hand BEFORE I order my chicks?

Thanks!

 

[CoyoteMagic]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/raising-chickens-basics.php

read this

 

[4myHennyPenny]

Thanks, Coyote Magic. I'd seen that page before, but I kept reading about other things that people were giving their chicks (i.e. grit once they started treats and then this gro-gel thing) and started to get worried.

So other than the basics listed on this site's page, anything else anyone recommends. And again, what's gro-gel, who has used it, and would you recommend it?

 

[Blondie]

You add water to gro gel and it's like thick Jello. My chicks wouldn't eat it. I even tried to mix it in with the chick starter. If you put vitamins and or electrolytes in the water and give them quality chick starter feed, then gro gel is not necessary. IMHO

 

[4myHennyPenny]

Thanks! Sounds like that starter chick feed is the key. Will look into that. Any favorite brands out there? And, is it possible with the starter chick feed to get an organic feed, or it that something that we'll switch to (organic, I mean) when they start to lay or are pullets?

 

[2mnypets]

Yes there is organic starter chick feed. You just really have to look for it. Most of the time it's either from a local farmer or there is feed that you can mix up yourself. I recall there was a thread that had the recipe but due to time restraints (leaving for work in a few minutes) I am unable to find it for you right now. Just make sure you have your brooder up and running with the light so that it's warm in there before your chicks arrive. Best of luck to you.

 

[Jsto]

Quote:
I personally searched and searched for organic starter and couldn't find it in my area. I use Purina Start and Grow because I had heard great things about it and my chicks love the stuff. I'll just go organic (find premixed or mix my own) when they start laying. At first it bothered me because I had this huge 'completely organic chickens' idea, but I'm comfortable with the Purina.

 

[4myHennyPenny]

Jsto, I too wanted to organic from the get go. But as I really can't justify buying a 50# bag of organic chick feed for 3 chicks, it'll have to wait. I am going to use the Purina SunFresh Start & Grow (may have messed up the name a bit) in the beginning, then switch to organic layer feed or make my own organic layer feed. I'll also be using the un-medicated version of this chick feed to try and help further. Maybe not my *ideal*, but I figure it's a good start.

 

[Jsto]

The Sunfresh is what I'm using and the chicks are loving it.

Also, I'm on my second 25 lb bag (I was thinking along the same lines as you) and up until Saturday, only had 2 more chicks than you do....and they're just now 4 weeks old!!! They waste about as much as they eat.