What's up with my chicks?

[MAchicken105]

They do not need a heat lamp at this point. They do need that chick starter, there really isn't any alternative that I'm aware of. Just like a baby need formula or mothers milk in order to grow and develop, chicks need chick feed.

Do you plan on having them live in your flat long term? Chickens need sunlight, they need to be able to peck and scratch and bathe in the earth. Not really sure how you'll manage with just an occasional outing. You'll have to keep us updated, I'm very interested in seeing how you can manage them indoors.

If I can't get any starter soon, are there any alternatives?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The chicks currently roam around the the kitchen because we live in a flat and don't have a garden. We take them outside into a field like area now and again, probably 2 times a week.
I am situated in England - West London. I think there is a local pet store that carries feed. We currently don't have any.

@rebrascora any ideas?

Cute Chicks

If you can find some Chick Starter or a Flock Raiser feed that would be great. Offer them some chick grit (crushed granite) free choice as well.

Do some research on fermenting grains/scratch which may be an alternative for you if no commercial feed is available, but chickens need a proper balanced diet if at all possible - commercial feed makes it easy.

A lot of people do keep chickens in the house. They do o.k. but if there is a way to provide them access to outdoors they will do better, imho. They do need sunshine and fresh air.

What are your long term plans in keeping them?

For the time being - offer some poultry vitamins in the water, give them protein like egg, tuna, mackerel or meat, along with the oats and a few veggies, until you can find a feed for them.

 

[MAchicken105]

Great post! Completely agree.

@rebrascora any ideas?

Cute Chicks

If you can find some Chick Starter or a Flock Raiser feed that would be great. Offer them some chick grit (crushed granite) free choice as well.

Do some research on fermenting grains/scratch which may be an alternative for you if no commercial feed is available, but chickens need a proper balanced diet if at all possible - commercial feed makes it easy.

A lot of people do keep chickens in the house. They do o.k. but if there is a way to provide them access to outdoors they will do better, imho. They do need sunshine and fresh air.

What are your long term plans in keeping them?

For the time being - offer some poultry vitamins in the water, give them protein like egg, tuna, mackerel or meat, along with the oats and a few veggies, until you can find a feed for them.

 

[cmom]

First I agree with the other posts. When the chicks are around a month old they are very susceptible to issues that can kill them. If you have a store it would be wise to get some medicated chick starter. The ingredient they put in the chick starter is to help the chicks to develop immunity to things that can kill them. If you feed the chicks chick feed then grit is not needed. It is only for other things such as grains. Chickens don't have teeth and the grit goes into their gizzard to grind the food (grains) they eat. I'm sure even in England you can get chick starter even if you need to order it online. Also you may want to give the chicks some (Save-A-Chick) or something similar which is vitamins and electrolytes that is water soluble and comes in a powder form that can be put in their drinking water. They need proper nutrition. It can affect the birds down the road even with their laying of eggs in the future. Good luck and have fun...

 

[Lubz]

They do not need a heat lamp at this point. They do need that chick starter, there really isn't any alternative that I'm aware of. Just like a baby need formula or mothers milk in order to grow and develop, chicks need chick feed.

Do you plan on having them live in your flat long term? Chickens need sunlight, they need to be able to peck and scratch and bathe in the earth. Not really sure how you'll manage with just an occasional outing. You'll have to keep us updated, I'm very interested in seeing how you can manage them indoors.

We aren't meant to move next year during summer and hopefully we'll have a place with an enclosed area outside for the chicks and hen

I'll keep you guys updated on how they're doing

 

[Lubz]

We aren't meant to move next year during summer and hopefully we'll have a place with an enclosed area outside for the chicks and hen

I'll keep you guys updated on how they're doing

Are* oops

 

[MAchicken105]

Please do, I wish you the best of luck. Don't hesitate to ask questions, I've learned everything I know from these knowledgeable wonderful people on here! Now go order some chick starter online

We aren't meant to move next year during summer and hopefully we'll have a place with an enclosed area outside for the chicks and hen

I'll keep you guys updated on how they're doing

 

[MageofMist]

Scrambled egg is also a good treat to give them, with the feathers almost grown in other than one with the fluffy head, they could need extra protein which the oats haven't been providing. But the chick starter is still needed in order to have healthy birds.

 

[rebrascora]

Where did you get these chicks? I can see at least one cockerel and I can envisage you having significant problems keeping 4 of them indoors in a flat once they are grown, especially once that guy starts crowing.

I would make porridge with the oats rather than feed it dry as that will help to break it down in the absence of grit and mix in scrambled egg or a bit of tuna (in oil rather than brine, because too much salt is not good). Pouches of cat food will help to increase the protein level too.

The one that is cheeping all the time may have pasty butt, so check that out....the vent (anus) gets plugged with poop and needs to be bathed and oiled to clear the blockage otherwise it will die. A crop or gizzard impaction is also a risk with an inappropriate diet, especially when they have not had access to grit, so check their crop (the pouch in their neck where they store food) at night when it should be full and then remove access to food until you have checked it again in the morning, when it should be empty. If it is not emptying, then you have an impaction (blockage) somewhere. Gently massaging the crop may help to break it up and get things moving but as others have said, getting their diet sorted, pronto, is essential. I have no idea of what feed stores may be available in London so your best bet may well be to order something online as others have mentioned. Or perhaps a local pet shop may be able to order something in for you, so go speak to them. Or go to a local allotment site today (Sunday is always a good day for people at allotments) and listen for the sound of chickens and go talk to people about where they get their feed. At a push they may sell or even give you a little feed to tide you over (take a plastic bag with you and offer to buy a few scoops from them). Even if they only have "layer pellets", that will do for a few days until you get some chick crumb or grower pellets. I would soak the pellets in water so they break down to make a porridge consistency. There is extra calcium in layer feed that your chicks don't need and it can do damage to their kidneys long term, but it will not hurt them for a few days and be better than their current diet. They might also have a little grit you can cadge....but make sure it is grit and not oyster shell, which is essentially extra calcium.

Good luck with them but I think you may be headed for some heartache.....but then as everyone who has kept chickens for a while knows, is an inevitable part of chicken rearing.

Regards

Barbara

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Where did you get these chicks? I can see at least one cockerel and I can envisage you having significant problems keeping 4 of them indoors in a flat once they are grown, especially once that guy starts crowing.

I would make porridge with the oats rather than feed it dry as that will help to break it down in the absence of grit and mix in scrambled egg or a bit of tuna (in oil rather than brine, because too much salt is not good). Pouches of cat food will help to increase the protein level too.

The one that is cheeping all the time may have pasty butt, so check that out....the vent (anus) gets plugged with poop and needs to be bathed and oiled to clear the blockage otherwise it will die. A crop or gizzard impaction is also a risk with an inappropriate diet, especially when they have not had access to grit, so check their crop (the pouch in their neck where they store food) at night when it should be full and then remove access to food until you have checked it again in the morning, when it should be empty. If it is not emptying, then you have an impaction (blockage) somewhere. Gently massaging the crop may help to break it up and get things moving but as others have said, getting their diet sorted, pronto, is essential. I have no idea of what feed stores may be available in London so your best bet may well be to order something online as others have mentioned. Or perhaps a local pet shop may be able to order something in for you, so go speak to them. Or go to a local allotment site today (Sunday is always a good day for people at allotments) and listen for the sound of chickens and go talk to people about where they get their feed. At a push they may sell or even give you a little feed to tide you over (take a plastic bag with you and offer to buy a few scoops from them). Even if they only have "layer pellets", that will do for a few days until you get some chick crumb or grower pellets. I would soak the pellets in water so they break down to make a porridge consistency. There is extra calcium in layer feed that your chicks don't need and it can do damage to their kidneys long term, but it will not hurt them for a few days and be better than their current diet. They might also have a little grit you can cadge....but make sure it is grit and not oyster shell, which is essentially extra calcium.

Good luck with them but I think you may be headed for some heartache.....but then as everyone who has kept chickens for a while knows, is an inevitable part of chicken rearing.

Regards

Barbara

Wonderful Barbara!