Using calf manna as a supplement for chicks.

[Fairview01]

Has anyone tried it? Results.

I know it gives then diarrhea when fed in liquid form due to lactose intolerance.

I've changed the delivery by spritzing their mash lightly with water and giving it a heavy dusting with the replacer. No diarrhea but wondering if it will make a difference worth the extra trouble.

 

[leflic14]

Calf manna is super high in protein. It was not developed for birds. I think the nutritional requirements for rheumanents are very different than birds. I believe your diarrhea is indicative that it is too rich for them. Additionally, Calf Manna is very expensive. My opinion is that you are doing well to just feed a balanced chick starter/developer.

 

[Fairview01]

Calf manna is super high in protein. It was not developed for birds. I think the nutritional requirements for rheumanents are very different than birds. I believe your diarrhea is indicative that it is too rich for them. Additionally, Calf Manna is very expensive. My opinion is that you are doing well to just feed a balanced chick starter/developer.

You're correct on all counts however there has been more than a little research done about using it as a supplement. Diarrhea is one of the problems after 3 days of that being their sole source of liquid.

I raise and show heritage cornish. One of the keys to success is keeping an aggressive growth rate during the first 3 months after hatch. Just about all the old school poultry books from the days of the true family farm era (WW2 era) recommends feeding chicks milk or clobbered milk on dry bread. I think there is value in some of these old ways that we no longer know or have fell out favor because of the convenience of commercial feed availability. I don't think they had it all wrong during that time.

For me it comes down to bringing out 110% of their potential. Undeveloped potential on the show table doesn't make winners.

 

[3riverschick]

Hi,
These are broilers your are raising, yes? Check out the mega site www.allaboutfeed.com or https://www.poultryworld.net/ this is an excellent section of poultryworld called , "Look...Think...Act".
https://www.poultryworld.net/Health/LOOK---THINK---ACT/.
There are several companies, esp. one here in the USA ( Hamlet Protein , https://hamletprotein.com/en/contact-us/usa/
https://hamletprotein.com/en/young-animals/poultry/
The "Feed Your Brain" section of the Hamlet website is just excellent. This article is especially good, " Why use a starter feed from the day the chicks hatch? ".
which are working on a very specialized yeast product for broilers for use in baby chicks. It's very exciting work. the worldwide poultry community is working with the premise that the first 7 days and up to the first 12 days of a broilers 42 day life are definitive for any changes and advancements which can be made regarding a better adult bird at slaughter. In addition to creating a better commercial bird, this research and development is helping enable growers to raise birds without antibiotics.
Best,
Karen and the Light Sussex in western PA, USA

 

[Fairview01]

Hi,
These are broilers your are raising, yes? Check out the mega site www.allaboutfeed.com or https://www.poultryworld.net/ this is an excellent section of poultryworld called , "Look...Think...Act".
https://www.poultryworld.net/Health/LOOK---THINK---ACT/.
There are several companies, esp. one here in the USA ( Hamlet Protein , https://hamletprotein.com/en/contact-us/usa/
https://hamletprotein.com/en/young-animals/poultry/
The "Feed Your Brain" section of the Hamlet website is just excellent. This article is especially good, " Why use a starter feed from the day the chicks hatch? ".
which are working on a very specialized yeast product for broilers for use in baby chicks. It's very exciting work. the worldwide poultry community is working with the premise that the first 7 days and up to the first 12 days of a broilers 42 day life are definitive for any changes and advancements which can be made regarding a better adult bird at slaughter. In addition to creating a better commercial bird, this research and development is helping enable growers to raise birds without antibiotics.
Best,
Karen and the Light Sussex in western PA, USA

Not exactly the broiler in today's definition. The heritage cornish with the white Plymouth rock were used to create the first cornish rock xs. Here's a pic of a 11 month old cockerel. Far from today's modern hybrids.

Thank you for the links. I haven't read those.