The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Chicken_House on May 26, 2019, 06:09:37 pm
-
Hi Everyone, can you please put my mind at rest or advise me please.... I'm worried I've made a real clanger.
We have chickens and recently got some new chicks (who are just over 3 weeks of age). Tonight (on bank holiday weekend, so our local farm shut early) I realised we'd run out of chick starter crumb. So i broke up some layers feed to give them until i can find a farm locally (or Amazon) to deliver chick food tomorrow. However having done this, I then had the sense to check the internet and am now worried that it says it may ruin their kidneys due to high levels of calcium and protein.
They've only had one meal of this but what action do I need to take or will they be ok until tomorrow when I get some more?
Am I better to let them be hungry tomorrow assuming the farm opens late or Amazon can't deliver early or do I chance another feed of layers?
We love them dearly and have been so careful with them....I'm so concerned that my eagerness to feed them, may cause long term damage or even short term over night problems. The internet is always full of horror stories about these sort of things, some reasonable sensible advice would be really welcome.
Please advise fellow Chicken owners
Thank you xx
-
I've fed chicks on layers pellets for years. mainly because they run with my layers anyway. The main reason I would feed chick crumbs is the size, and also because of the coccidiostat they contain. However if chicks are given whole corn/seed + grit of course, to eat as well then any coccidia eggs are ground up with the corn and destroyed in the gizzard.
-
They’ll be fine! It may be sub optimum in terms of size, composition, no antibiotic but it’ll likely be made out of the same ingredients in different ratios with a few extras. Chick crumb will only be a few days away :-)
-
I think youre right to be worried. I have never done this but like you have read it does harm their kidneys. But yes Im sure theyll be fine if its just short term.
When Im in your situation, I mostly substitute with chopped hardboiled eggs see below link.
https://poultrykeeper.com/blog/feeding-chicks/#more-1777
Then nip to the supplier ASAP :)
-
I feed my chicks a mix of chick crumb, layers and corm from around 4 weeks old, I wouldn't think twice about feeding layers to them if the only other option was to go without!
-
I always have porridge oats on hand so I can make up some porridge if I run out of layers pellets. Even my ducks will eat it.
-
Thank you all so much.
I'm off tomorrow to source some chick crumb but for now will stop starving them and let them eat some crushed up layers feed. Wow, who knew small chickens could have the same effect as being responsible for children!!
Really appreciate your quick feedback and thoughts.
Thank you xx