Feeding new chicks

kelliecat · **Posted:** Mon Dec 26, 2011 4:01 pm

Hi all. I have got 19, 2 week old chicks that I bought and was wondering if there is any foods I should not be giving them. I have a feeder in the box with a constant supply of chick starter, but I have been putting in handfuls of chaff for them to scratch around, as well as bread, tomato, apple, apricot and whatever I am eating as I walk past the box. Is this ok to do, or am I harming them?

skinnyhen · **Joined:** Mon Dec 26, 2011 11:31 am **Posts:** 2

I was told by the hatchery to only give the chicks the starter for 6 weeks then some other green food I am only new so I would also like to know if that is correct and if I can also give them other food.

johs · **Posted:** Tue Dec 27, 2011 7:52 pm

Yeah I would only give them starter until they're older too. Don't want them to fill up on the extras and not get all the nutrition they need. The starter is a balanced diet so they don't really need anything else.

Poultry Doc · **Joined:** Tue Jun 21, 2011 10:40 pm **Posts:** 29

I suggest you come up with weight feed consumption expectations on a weekly basis which will become your yardstick. If you are not gaining much against weight standards, assess if they are eating the expected quantities because if they are, then the feed quality might be inferior than required. I have seen many commercial feeds which do not meet their specs or sometimes, though meeting the specs, are not digestible at all.

Thanks.

doc

skinnyhen · **Joined:** Mon Dec 26, 2011 11:31 am **Posts:** 2

That is interesting poultry doc I will have to see if all my chicks grow at the same rate

kelliecat · **Posted:** Wed Dec 28, 2011 7:52 pm

Thanks for the info doc. I just found out today that even though the chicks were supposedly vaccinated, a few have respiratory infections. So all of them are on antibiotics and I will weigh them daily to see if they are increasing in weight. I am also force feeding the sickest with a blended mash of the chick crumble mixed with their antibiotics, so hopefully they should gain weight soon.

Shrimply · **Joined:** Fri Dec 30, 2011 7:06 am **Posts:** 3

I think you will find the vaccine does not cover respiratory infection as I found that out first hand

Poultry Doc · **Joined:** Tue Jun 21, 2011 10:40 pm **Posts:** 29

Good day. It depends on what vaccine was given as oppose to the prevailing respiratory challenge you are facing. Vaccine A will not protect against disease B. Also, there is such a thing as vaccine failure, when the vaccine was not stored well or not given correctly.

Analyze why the chicks have respiratory problem, is it hatchery-related or it came from your end (perhaps poor brooding management)?

How are the chicks now?

Thanks.

Doc

Shrimply · **Joined:** Fri Dec 30, 2011 7:06 am **Posts:** 3

Doc so is there a vaccine for chronic respiratory infection? Can you give me the name if there is please

Jen31 · **Joined:** Thu Jan 26, 2012 8:13 pm **Posts:** 1

I asked a vet and he said there is no vaccine for any respiratory diseases

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