Why are my chicks not growing?

[mdbokc]

I have always fed mine Starter and Grower from Ralston Purina until they start to lay (typically 17-20 weeks). Then I switch to the Evergreen Extra Egg 16. I have never had a problem and my birds are extremely healthy. Every couple of weeks, I add some vitamins to water for a day; ACV 1-2 times a week. Knock on wood, in three batches over several years, I have yet to lose a bird to illness.

 

[chickengal]

I can't seem to get the chicks interested in eating yogurt. The older ones are not very active and not intersted in eating much? I wonder if it is too late for them. The two week old chicks are getting close to being the same size as the 8 week chicks. Wow, why didn't I notice this sooner!

 

[dahlia333]

I put some chick food on top of the yogurt....then they ate it.

 

[Lotsapaints]

Quote:
I tried to add some to my 12week olds feed and they aren't going for them and they are tiny pellets but they will eat real grains funny chickens

 

[lottastuff9]

I am wondering what the consensus is on Purina's line. Start n' Grow, then Flock Raiser, followed by Layena? If she gave those slow grower the added boost of protein in the Flock Raiser would that help those little ones gain some growth momentum?

 

[chickengal]

I think it may be too late for the 8 weekers. One died and the last one is just sitting and very lathargic with its head down.

I can't get it to eat anything. I think it is dying. The two weekers seem to be healthy, but so did the 8 weekers when they were two weeks old. I don't want to loose the new batch. They are eating the Purina Start and Grow now. I still can't get them very interested in the yogurt. I need to purchase some vitiamines. Should I change food to the medicated type?

 

[lottastuff9]

I am sorry you are losing your little ones.

 

[Ridgerunner]

This article is pretty good about what to feed chickens and when. It is specifically for developing layer flocks or dual purpose flocks. It is not for feeding the Cornish cross meat birds.

Oregon State - Feeding Chickens
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/html/pnw/pnw477/#anchor1132074

I'm not saying it is the case, but it is possible that the excess calcium in the layer damaged the liver. A lot of chicks eat some layer without it causing any noticeable problems. There could be several other possible problems. You might look through these to see if something fits your situation.

Disease site based on symptoms – Mississippi State
http://www.poultry.msstate.edu/extension/pdf/diseases_poultry_symptoms.pdf

Good luck! There are so many possibilitres that this can be difficult.

 

[RevaVirginia]

Usually I feed new peeps starter/grower.

I do have some rogue hatched chicks that just follow their rogue mother around mainly eating what they manage to forage. There's a cistern available so getting water isn't an issue. I try an toss them starter/grower around but it's not like they can just meander over to the feeder like the usual peeps. In any regard they seem to be developing nicely.

I try not to watch water boil and watching chickens grow would really drive me nuts. The boiled egg suggestion is probably where I'd head if I had a growth concern.

Good luck....

 

[MareeZoCool]

You can cook up some scrambled eggs, then give them a spoonful, cooled & crumbled.