My pekin has hatched 3 eggs (4 left) and they seem to be eating a little chick crumb - well they're walking through it anyway. She doesn't seem to be eating it though and is only eating grass which goes straight through her and makes very smelly green poo. She goes mad for corn but then tries to feed it to the chicks - can they eat it? I can't take her away to feed her separately as she goes mad. Have tried mixing the crumb with warm water but she turns her nose up at that too. Also - I took the other 4 eggs away this morning as I thought she'd given up on them and they were cold (had already had to revive one of the chicks she had abandoned), but then noticed a little crack in one this afternoon. Have put them back under her - is there any hope after about 10 hours or is this jeopardising the 3 chicks?
can chicks digest corn?
- Thread starter elmdene
- Start date
The old fashioned first feeds for newly hatched chicks was mashed up boiled egg. You could try that if you're really worried but I suspect she's eating enough chick crumb. It's a bit early for the chicks to have corn.
I'd persevere with the chick crumb. If you think she's getting too much grass, move her off it.
I'd persevere with the chick crumb. If you think she's getting too much grass, move her off it.
E3lx
New member
To deal with corn, chickens need grit. I would leave some very fine grit, chick crumbs and and finely ground corn available in their respective dishes. then, hopefully the mother will show the chicks the grit and the corn. When chicks are in their first 24 hours of life they dont eat much, so dont worry about them eating at that point.
Frenchchickens123
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I agree, if you put grit down they will be fine. My chicks and mothers have always been with the rest of the flock and fed crushed corn, oats and wheat (whole) and never had any problems. I do now try to male sure they get a bit of chick crumb at the begining as they do seem to be a bit stronger and bigger earlier than those fed just grain. Have fun with chicks, can't wait mine are due this week! Love having little chicks 
A
Anonymous
Guest
thank you for sharing, It is a great post.
chrismahon
Well-known member
Hi Elmdene. If the hatching is too far apart the mother has to abandon the remainder to attend to the hatched. Best you can do is finish them off in the incubator/ hatcher. Is she a young mother?
Tiny chicks can block up on corn. Also it has no nutritional value as they can't digest it, even with grit. So they have a crop full of nothing effectively and underdevelop.They must have the high protein chick crumb (with ACS if outside) only, or mashed boiled egg as chuck says. Mum will eat that as well. You can start adding corn at about 6 weeks. Better giving then a little friut to peck at ,but not too much as their crop should be mainly full of crumb. New little chicks -exciting!
Tiny chicks can block up on corn. Also it has no nutritional value as they can't digest it, even with grit. So they have a crop full of nothing effectively and underdevelop.They must have the high protein chick crumb (with ACS if outside) only, or mashed boiled egg as chuck says. Mum will eat that as well. You can start adding corn at about 6 weeks. Better giving then a little friut to peck at ,but not too much as their crop should be mainly full of crumb. New little chicks -exciting!
foxy
Active member
As this thread started in the summer, I would rather suspect the chicks are grown up! 
chrismahon
Well-known member
Another reason for archiving threads after a certain period Foxy. And me being a bit more attentive, again! Would be nice to get some feedback from Elmdene though. Perhaps this will be picked up?
