Best supplements

[AinaWGSD]

I have some two week old chicks in the brooder right now, and I think I'm starting to see some toes beginning to curl a little bit. It's probably just my imagination, and I'm just going to keep an eye on it for now, but I know vitamin B deficiency can cause curled toes so I am starting to think about supplements.

But the poultry aisle at the farm store has a lot of options, and I  know some of them are snake oil. So i was wondering what the general consensus on vitamin supplements was here. Anything to particularly avoid, any recommendations?

 

[6-Hens-and-Me]

Bio link poultry tonic, excellent tonic it’s meant for hens but I just add less for the chicks and it gives them a real boost when they need it, it contains all the vital vitamins all poultry need from the get go.

 

[aart]

So i was wondering what the general consensus on vitamin supplements was here.

IMO, not really needed if you are feeding a good quality starter or all flock feed....and no treats.

 

[Ridgerunner]

My thoughts are that a good chick feed has all of the nutrients a chick needs if that is their sole source of feed. As long as you limit the treats or extras to less than 10% of their daily diet it should be adequate.

What chicken feed are you feeding them? Do you have a link so we can see the analysis label? To me, it is not a matter of supplements but a matter of whether or not the feed is adequate.

If the feed is adequate you can give them supplements if you wish. I don't know at what level those supplements become dangerous, too much of a good thing is often not good. But in small quantities supplements should not harm them.

 

[MGG]

Maybe some nutritional yeast sprinkled on top like for ducklings?
I agree though that it sounds like the starter may be the problem.

 

[AinaWGSD]

I'm not sure that there is actually a problem, the "curled" toes could be my imagination. We're using the Manna Pro medicated chick starter, so I feel like it should be nutritionally balanced. The only "treat" they've had is a clump of soil and grass to introduce them to some "outdoors."

 

[Ridgerunner]

Manna Pro medicated should be a balanced diet. I'm not sure which "B" vitamin is the one that affects curled toes or if it is included in their mix. They list B12 but I'm not sure that is the one you need. I do not know dosage required.

Check the date on your feed bag. If it is more than 2 months old some of the ingredients, especially vitamins, may have lost their potency, especially if it has been stored in hot conditions. With Manna Pro I think this is more likely to be your problem than an insufficient ingredients.

If you think you are seeing curled toes a little preventative action is not out of line. Just don't overdo it.

 

[LaFleche]

What kind of heat source do you use?
In case they have a light bulb providing 24 hours of light daily they will be eating too much and not be able to fall into the important deep sleep phase.

Being able to eat around the clock will trigger rapid growth to which the tendons are unable to keep up.