My dad swore cracked corn was fine for chicks, I learned the hard way

When I got 6 new chicks last spring, my dad told me cracked corn was basically the same as chick starter. I gave it to them for about a week and they all started getting sluggish and one had trouble walking. Turns out cracked corn doesn't have nearly enough protein for growing chicks, they need 18-20% starter feed. I switched to proper starter crumbles and they perked back up in like 3 days. Anybody else get bad advice from older family members about what to feed?

2 comments

2 Comments

jade_lane1919d ago

Grandma once told me that bread crusts were basically the same as chicken feed. Found out real quick that no, moldy bread and a handful of scratch grains does not a balanced diet make. My pullets looked like sad little feather dusters for a week until I figured out they needed actual layer pellets.

eric_murphy3619d ago

Same here, learned that lesson the hard way with my first flock.