Over the last 5 weeks we have had some meat bird chicks (not really by choice, but our broody hens eggs did not survive and these were the only one day olds we could get!). I have been feeding them the same mash as I feed my layer hens which is a good feed with no added antibiotics and a protein count of about 16%. I have also been adding boiled eggs, and occasionally milk or yoghurt. I have choosen not to feed mash for meat birds due to the antibiotic for coccidiosis in it. I am wondering if I am providing the chicks with enough protein as most of them still seem pretty small. I have followed the guidelines in Gail Damerons book about raising chickens, she says to feed 100 chicks the same amount in kilos as they are weeks old (ie 3 week old chicks need 3 kilos a day). We converted this figure down to the amount of chicks we have but they seem to be hungry still. We divide the amount into three potions and feed three times a day but they eat it all within 5 minutes and then wait for the next lot. I am aware that it is important to not let them eat themselves to death but I would like to know how to meet a happy medium. Can anybody tell me what a good source of protein is? I have heard someone mention soybean but I am not sure how much to add or if this is the right thing to do. At present we add one egg per 6 chicks a day but I am concerned that this is to small an amount. Also, at what stage do I allow them access to the oyster shell. The mash does not contain any and our layers use oyster shell for calcium. Will the chicks know if they need it like the hens do or should I keep it away from them until a certain age? I would appreciate anyones help with this. It's great to have a place were people are prepared to answer questions and help. Thank you.

My suggestion it to try to find some chick starter that is about 18% to 20% protein that has no antibiotic. I know people say they buy it but I have never seen it. If that is not an option try some soybean meal. Mix it with the layer mash (6 parts layer to 1 part SBM) to get a ration about 20% protein. (10 parts layer to 1 part SBM will make an 18.5% feed) Feed this to them gradually increasing the amount until they are on full feed for 12 hours per day. Take the feed away from them for twelve hours each day or you may have a lot of dead birds from ever eating. You will need to provide them with some grit so that they will be able to "grind" the SBM. I would use 20% for a couple of weeks if they really appear small and then switch them over to the 18%. If you plan to eat them feed the 18% until you kill them. If you aren't going to eat them, feed it to them until about 20 weeks of age and then switch them over to layer mash. You don't need to worry about the oyster shell. The layer mash will have an abundance of calcium. In fact, it may have too much! I am no expert but this is my best suggestion and what I would try if I were in your place.

If they are Cornish X chicks, they start best on 24-28% protein starter feed, fed free choice all day until about 6 PM, then withheld until feed time next morning. If your feed mill mixes its own feed, they can put in a coccidiostat or leave it out as you request, if you buy enough feed in a batch. To be sure, 16% is not enough protein for growing little bodies. The balance of nutrients is important, so I personally would not try to mix my own ration unless I was using the ingredients the feed mill was using. The soybean meal supplement they use to raise the protein level of your feed has all kinds of vitamins and minerals in it. They add this to grains to achieve the protein and nutrient balance before grinding. You will not hurt your birds by having feed in front of them all day, but it is better to withhold feed at night if they are Cornish X. If they are dual purpose breeds, I would start them on 22% starter and have it in front of them at all times. Good luck!!

Dear Paul and Dr Bruce,
Thanks very much for your replies. I am sorry I have not replied sooner but I wanted to have something to 'report back' before I did! I spoke to the local mill and found the man to be very helpful as he had been in the industry for 15 years and had also worked for a chicken meat raising company for some time. He said he would mix some feed for me without antibiotics if I purchased a ton of it!! I purchased some full fat soya meal from him which he assured me was "good stuff" and had not been stripped of any goodness. My chicks are cornish x so I guess I am heading for the higher rate of protein. Is the ratio of 6 parts layer mash to 1 part soya meal that Paul gave me for full fat soya meal or for "stripped " soya meal. How much would I need to use to get the ratio to 24-28%? The man also said that the vitamins were added into the mash when it was processed so I shouldn't have to worry about this and that the soya meal has no added vitamins in it. Could you also tell me if this high protein feed will effect the mothers that the chicks are adopted to? One lot of chicks are almost 6 weeks now so the mother will soon be separated from them, but another lot is only 5 days old and the mother will of course be with them for at least 6 weeks.
Thank you once again for your help. I really appreciate you expert knowledge.
Vicki