chick feed?, March 10 2005

[Josh]

I recently bought five red rock baby chicks for my granddaughter, when we bought the chicks we only bought a small quantity of chick starter.

My question is how much starter will these chicks need before they would require a grower feed?  Could I just skip the starter and go to grower feed? Also I have a fifty pound bag of laying mash that I have been feeding to earthworms, at what age could I feed that to these chicks? I guess what I am asking is with only five chicks what is the practical choice for feed purchase.

[JamesC]

With only 5 chicks you were right to buy a small qantity of chick starter. Feed has to be kept fresh and although it is more expensive to buy that way the chicks will do better.
Chick starter is usually 18 or 20% protein which the chicks need to develop. It is also wise to buy a medicated starter to protect them from coccidiosis. Starter is fed for the first 8 weeks minimum, then you have the choice of going to a grower ration that is generally about 15% protein or stay on starter.
The switch to layer ration, whether it is mash, crumbles or pellets is not done until the birds are about 20 weeks of age but most people switch when the birds begin to lay.
I'm afraid the bag of layer you have is only good to feed the worms. Feed is considered stale when it is 5-6 weeks old. You should not save that bag to feed to your pullets, the nutrient value will have been lost by the time they are old enough.
James

[Strongtower]

My uncle is bringing me his ducks to raise till they are old enough to let go. I said sure there is room with my chicks. He says he has plenty of feed etc.

He told me his dogs were dead and I asked why?? He says the starter food has strycnine in it and the dogs got in the feed. Is that true? I have never heard of this but have never actually read the labels on my feed either.

I know the starter is medicated but....I called my feed store and he read off everything but he didn't know what half of that was either.

Has anybody heard of this? I don't want him to bring that feed here tomorrow if it IS in it and give to my chickens. Maybe he is misinformed. I have been trying to research but can't find out.

PLEASE HELP !!!

[JamesC]

Strongtower:
No, starter feed doesn't have any poisons in it. It is medicated for coccidiosis, usually the label will list Amprol or Amprolium.
My concern is that you try to raise ducks with your chicks. Ducks will make a wet mess out of their brooder, a very unhealthy environment for your chicks. They can be raised successfully but in a separate brooder so both can do well.
Good Luck,
James

[Strongtower]

Thank you James,

I was panicking. My *chicks* have feathered out. There are two peking ducks with them now with NO feathers. But it is a 10X30 chain link. Brooder is very warm and they move in & out freely.

thanks again

[JamesC]

Strongtower:
Coccidiosis is the concern in a wet or damp, warm brooder. It usually hits chicks after they are feathered, 5-7 weeks is usual but it can hit earlier or later, so it is good that there is lots of room but it is still a bad thing to have chicks in a wet brooder with ducklings.
Just my opinion.
James

[yarcz]

My day old chicks are coming next week and i bought some chickfeed is still good to feed for next few weeks. Also they were vaccinated for Occ. and Mareks do I still need the med feed?

*No problem, fixed your post for you - Josh*

[JamesC]

yarcz:
If you mean your chicks are being vaccinated for Coccidiosis (Cocci) and Mareks, then no, you don't need medicated feed.
Feed is generally good for about 6 weeks, after that it starts to lose some of its vitamin and nutrient value. Just be sure to close the bag after you have taken some out, that will help to keep it good for a longer time.

James

[Strongtower]

James,

I was worried bout my chicks after reading your posts, but on watching them...the ducks won't go into the brooder....? My uncle NEVER puts a lite on the ducks except when they first hatch. I tell him they need it but he doesn't do it. ( I am always surprized they survive)

So I don't know why they don't go in there. The two Pekings I have will go in but not since the mallards are there. They all just sort of hang together out side of it.

So... I don't know. My brooder is homemade, (don't laugh, it works) and is really too hot, so it stays dry. If the ducks did go in and get it damp, the chicks are constantly fluffing the grass around so it stays dry.

It is pretty warm down here now. May not need the light much longer anyway. It is cool at night still so I have left it on.

BTW...about the strycnine thing...On further explaination he said his dogs ate the duck poop that fell out of the cage and somebody told him that is how the strycknine came in...I just said ok...(whatever) I still think he is misinformed.

Every dog I have ever had if they find any poop has to sample it and it hasn't killed any yet. LOL!

[JamesC]

Strongtower:
It sounds like you watch your flock very closely and are using a common sense approach.
Just keep watch on the brooder and if it does get wet, change the litter and you should be OK.
It's surprising how many old tales go around about poultry. I think boards like this on the internet is helping to get things straight. If you hear of something that doesn't sound right, just ask and someone will be able to put it right.
James

[Heidicat]

Strongtower, what kind of bedding are the babies on? I raise ducklings too, along with chickens. But never in the same brooder, you can just put a piece of cardboard box to make a wall, and still use the same light. The ducklings droppings are so much wetter than chickens it is impossible to keep it dry. Also they make such a mess with the waterer, I put a layer of newspaper, just under the waterer, and then add bedding on top. They will slide around too much if only newspaper is used. I have used the same box, but with the divider, worked really well. I also keep a light on them, till totally, feathered out. Momma ducks take 3-5 naps a day, and sit on the babies till they are feathered out, and then if the babies "can" fit under her, they will. Very cute, to see the huge babies trying to get under the mom. Best of luck, Heidi

[Strongtower]

I couldn't find this post till now !!! (sorry).

Hiedicat, I use dry grass. My sister LOVES to mow, and she bags the grass for me. I leave it in the garden to dry. The chicks LOVE it, but they want to eat a lot of it. So I am always replacing.

The brooder is a "box" with light in side. It is so warm now it is too hot, but they go in if they get cold or damp. It is under the enclosed part of the pen so it is in the dry.

I don't use any thing slick for them to stand on. (they are in my building in a large tub when small) Worry about leg problems. I used to buy that rubber shelf lining. It is WONDERFUL for preventing any leg troubles. And you can just hose it off and hang to dry.

You are right about the ducks being messy Everyday I put fresh water out and its PARTY time !!!! And if they get a little mud hole where the "pool" is, ( I move it around) they are in heaven. Can't imagine what they are sifting around in it for.

They remind me to enjoy life, when I watch them enjoying the water. Such abandon and contentment. Like children.

I have had no luck with moma's hatching and raising their own babies. I envy you. Since I have moved the pen and all , hope things are better this time.

What kind of ducks do you have ??

[Heidicat]

I have 3 Indian Runner ducks, the prettiest ducks I have ever seen. Look like a cream and buff paint horse, but they are ducks. I had never seen the breed before, and they were given to my daughter. To replace Peeps and Speedy, who were attacked and killed by a coon. that was last year, and I have since set out live traps, about every other week, and so far this season, nothing has been caught. I wish I could find a bigger trap though, one that would catch a fox. Lost a few to a fox, and I don't want to lose anymore. I have kept the poor dog(Madge) outside during the day, and she used to be in the house whenever I was. She was not out the day of the fox attack. So far so good, but I am looking into a Great Pryness(sp) dog for protection of the critters. I jsut don't know if I can go thru with another puppy. Am a cat person, and have trouble potty training pups. Sad,,,, I know, but those cats are SOOOOO much easier to litter train. LOL! Even the horse is more easily trained! Sorry to ramble, have a great day Heidi

[Strongtower]

I like runners. The only time I ever had them they were always afraid of me. May try them again one day though.

I caught a fox one time in my big trap. It was gorgeous red. But That trap is tore up now. The coons messed up the trigger in the bottom. The traps I have now are too small for foxes.

The varmints seem to come in cycles here. May be to or three months with nothing, then suddenly it is all the time. I got two small dogs for "patrol". They are still pups, but hopefully they will run off anything that doesn't live here. Or let me know something is out there.

I love cats too. My best cats were killed just last year by dogs. I was just sick. That was when they got everything on the place. With in 2 and 1/2 weeks I had nothing left. Toward the end I found out what was doing it.

I have gotten more cats but it is just not the same. Jack and Dusty were the best. The cats I have now are good mousers and very loving but its just not the same.

They are funny though. They go around and around the chicken pen and just can't find a way in. Finally they will just sit and look in the door !

[pharmerlaura]

I will have to look at the feed I got for the Chicks. I went to the feed store & told him what I needed. He however didnt say if it was medicated.
We have Cats here that are afarid of the Chickens. They have no intrest in them at all.
We did have a skunk here in the coop about 2 weeks ago. he was after the eggs. He did not have time to do any damage to anything. The Chickens let us know right away there was something in there..man they are noisy..esp at 12:30 a.m... & the Hen that hatched out the 4 chicks..she was still sitting on them in the morning..even tho they all got a direct blast from the stinker..