Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
FYI, starter feed is higher in protein and lower in calories than adult (a.k.a. “layer”) ra-
tion; conversely, layer ration is higher in calcium. This higher percentage of calcium can
seriously damage a chick's kidneys, so adult feed should never be substituted for chick
feed - even in anemergency.
CHICK GRIT
Birds ingest grit to aid in their food digestion, and chicks are no exception. If your chicks
were out in a barn with their mother hen, they'd follow her around, watch her pick up a
buffet of items, and mimic her actions. A blade of grass here, an ant there, some scratch
grains to nosh on, and then a few tiny stones to store in their gizzards to help pulverize
their food. But since they're being raised in a brooder rather than a natural environment,
you need to supply them with that odd roughage yourself. We'll talk more about this
later, but know that grit will be a good thing to have on hand in a few days when the
birds are kicking dust and pine shavings around, looking for those rocks. You can buy
grit in small bags or by the pound at most feed stores.
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