This Gro-Gel stuff? What do I do????

[Stormy]

I mixed the gro-gel with 1/2 cup water as instructed on the package. I don't really have a container to put it in (I have the waterer and the feeder in place in the brooder). So I put it in a bowl.

The chicks are just turning green from walking through it.

How do I get them to eat this stuff and what do I put it in to keep them from taking a bath in the Green Gel????
Here is a picture showing the bowl of Green goop.

 

[SterlingAcres]

Doesn't look that appetizing to them either.

 

[Wildsky]

They're supposed to be attracted to try it by that color.

I only used that stuff once on my very first order.
I think I mixed it twice, once each first two days. and on the second day I sprinkled some food on top of it.

The chicks don't HAVE to have it - they won't DIE without it. It does provide vitamins etc... but their food should be plenty good enough.

 

[Stormy]

OH good, I'm glad to know it isn't something they absolutely HAVE to have.

Did I mention this day is stressful-this first day of being a chicken-mama?

I LOVE these little guys-they are way too cute and so entertaining already....but I keep doting and worrying - like.....like a mother HEN! lol

First I am worried because my temp is only 90 and not 95 but I can't bring the 250 Watt bulb any closer than it already is because then the lid won't fit over the brooder.

Then I worry because the green gel is ...well....GREEN....and then I worry they aren't eating it. Then I worry they are going to DIE if I don't get them to eat it....

Oh and then I worry that one just keeled over and DIED ...just NOW....but as it turns out, she was just SLEEPING. I didn't realize til now they look dead when they go to sleep....that is just too creepy.

Ok, going back to dote over the brooder box now.

Thanks for your answers....

Stormy

 

[Wildsky]

Just relax...

I have a four day old baby chick running around outside with mom. Chicks are pretty tough little things, no need to worry so much.

Just relax and enjoy them!

 

[JennsPeeps]

I agree - they'll be ok and you're doing the right things.

If it's not 95 degrees, they'll survive.

When they keel over, they're falling (literally) asleep.

When they prefer crumbles over the green goo... they'll be fine.

You might lose one, you might lose none. Hang in there and it'll be ok.

 

[Akane]

If they aren't huddled together under the light it's just fine. You don't have to follow an exact temperature. It's only the average or what you should try to start with. You should watch the chicks' behavior. If they spread out, avoid the light, or mine were laying in the shadow cast by their feeder they might be too warm and you should try raising it or changing the bulb to a lower wattage. If they are huddled in the center of the light they are too cold and you need to find a way to warm it up.

They spend the first week or so randomly falling asleep on their feet and occasionally suddenly passing out and looking dead. It kinda worried me at first too. Around day 10 mine stopped doing that. Now they lay down in a proper position before falling asleep.

 

[HeadHen]

I got an order from MM (my very first chickens) and I did the grow gel too. Mine were on papertowels over their shavings and I had sprinkled some crumbles and grit on the towels for them to investigate. I tried the gel on a paper plate but didn't go over well so I started dabbing little globs of it all around on the towels with the grit and crumbles (except under the area where they like to sleep or under their heat lamp). They were curious about it then and would peck at it whenever they ran past some. Ate a decent amount, the packet is made to feed like 100 chicks. After a while I just threw out the towels and put down fresh towels with just the crumbles till they all figured out where the feeder was.

 

[arlee453]

My chicks have always survived just fine without the grogel and chick quick and all those other similar products.

I think they would be good for a weak chick, or ones in transit for a REALLY long time, etc, but for those received well within the 3 day limit who come in looking fine, I think it's over kill... just my opinion.

I do think grogel would be great if you were going to ship chicks or older chickens to provide some moisture and food for the journey...

 

[doseybird]

I am brand new to chickens, they arrived in -6 degree weather. We thought 6 were dead but 5 were moving a bit. 2 hours after putting them in the brooder, they were all up and running around. I had read to give them grogel so I did, but did not research it. Last evening about 12 hours after arrives i noticed some of the chicks tilting backwards then catching themselves. Later they were found under the brooder light on their sides and a bit trampled. Since then (24 hours ago) about every 4 hours a few more chicks start teetering, then falling on their sides, and then die. We have lost 6 so far and at least 6 more. I am wondering if I overfed the grogel? I did not remove it after 6 hours, noticed it was dry, but wondering if this is whats killing my chicks. Any ideas will be appreciated and please be kind, I have been a chicken owner less than 48 hours.