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Date Posted: 01:27:09 08/29/08 Fri
Author: Rebecca
Author Host/IP: 208.38.100.131
Subject: A dozen newly hatched chicks - help!

We thought the hatching would be the hard part, but feeding seems to be the big question for us.

First off, we were told to get a 16-18% protein minimum (ideally 20%) chick starter, unmedicated. And then grind it up fine in a food processor. Sounds easy enough. Nuh uh.

The local feed stores had a 16-18% starter, but nobody had unmedicated. So we went online and found recommendations for instead using a 20% protein "chick grower," which we were supposed to mix half and half with kitten chow in the grinder. Okay, we were able to do that, and the now 2 to 3 day old chicks love it.

But now I saw on another page where someone warned against more than 20% protein, that it could cause them to grow too fast and that this could cause problems.

Help???

Two other things... it was recommended that we use bird vitamin drops in their water... but I have no idea how many drops to how much water. Follow the package directions for small and medium birds, or should it be more diluted than that?

Last but not least... grit. It's been ages since the last time I raised quail, and when I did it was bobwhite, not buttons... never raised these little fluffballs before. I'm sure that they should have grit added to their diet so I bought some finch and canary grit. But I don't know when they should start getting it. Right away? After they're a week or two old? When?

Thanks in advance for any advice. They're doing incredibly well and are surprisingly hardy little guys... I want to keep them healthy and happy.

By the way, they all hatched on live webcam. The cam is now live on the brooder, if anyone would like to see the diminutive dozen: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/peepcam

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