I made a mistake...Will it harm my chicks?

[analyticalblonde]

Hi all,

I am a newbie with my first batch of chicks...they are 2 1/2 weeks old and are growing exponentially!

This was my discovery/mistake I noticed today...

I purchased a 50 lb bag of DuMor Chick 24% Chick Starter and they have been on it since I received them from MyPetChicken on March 27th...I also purchased a 50 lb bag of DuMor Chick 20% Chick Starter/Grower for when they get to be about 6 weeks old.

I did not notice on the back of the 24% Chick Starter that it is only for other fowl, i.e. quail, pheasant, chukar, and turkey, starting from day one. On the other bag...starter/grower 20% it states it can be provided to baby chicks from day one.

They are all healthy and growing but they have been on 24% since I got them from the post office. Will the 24% chick starter harm them/hurt them? Should I immediately remove it and put out the 20%? What can happen if they are receiving the overage of protein 24% vs. 20%?

Thanks for any input...

 

[Al Capon]

OH, they're all gonna die....




no not really. Shouldn't hurt them, but I'd put them on the chick(en) starter. I'm sure feral chicks don't stop eating in the wild when they hit 20%..

 

[Pyxis]

They'll be fine. 24% is a little high but it shouldn't hurt them. I feed all my chicks a 22% protein feed.

 

[analyticalblonde]

OH, they're all gonna die....




no not really. Shouldn't hurt them, but I'd put them on the other stuff..

I love this place...and love how I can be easily duped! It pays to read the entire response...(calming my heart down!) Thank you!

 

[analyticalblonde]

They'll be fine. 24% is a little high but it shouldn't hurt them. I feed all my chicks a 22% protein feed.

Thank you for letting me know it should be OK....I think I will blend the two over the next few days to wean them towards the 20%.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

I love this place...and love how I can be easily duped! It pays to read the entire response...(calming my heart down!) Thank you!

Don’t worry, I am sure that anyone that gives their chicks meal worms as treats ups their protein a couple percent. I think I started giving my little chicks meal worms when they were about three weeks old or so.

 

[analyticalblonde]

Don’t worry, I am sure that anyone that gives their chicks meal worms as treats ups their protein a couple percent. I think I started giving my little chicks meal worms when they were about three weeks old or so.

Haven't given them mealworms yet but have given dirt & grass clogs, boiled chopped up eggs and strawberries ALL with the wonderful accompaniment of chick grit...HooRaw!

 

[007Sean]

Blending will be good. 24% isn't going to hurt them at all...they will grow faster but I wouldn't want to keep'em on it for too long.
The main difference besides the % protien is the 24% contains a higher percentage of Lysine and Methionine than the 20% protein ration. Gamebirds require a higher percentage than chickens.

 

[analyticalblonde]

Blending will be good. 24% isn't going to hurt them at all...they will grow faster but I wouldn't want to keep'em on it for too long.
The main difference besides the % protien is the 24% contains a higher percentage of Lysine and Methionine than the 20% protein ration. Gamebirds require a higher percentage than chickens.

Good to know...makes sense...Yes, I will be blending them and moving the chicks off of the 24% towards straight 20%.