chick starter

Sable · Post by **Sable** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 5:05 am

HI has anyone tried using chick starter (for chickens) as a food supplement. i have found a number of recipes that include it as part of the mix.
Can anyone tell me whether this is ok for finches. I am thinking that it has a high protein level so should cover that as well as calicum but as for the rest i am not sure. Look forward to any ideas Sable

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 11:31 am

I haven't used that myself but here is A site that use chick starter in there egg food you might want to check out there link ,she is the lady that raised a gouldian finch with out eyes which I find remarkable
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze8aart/id21.html
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze8aart/id13.html

BirdCrazy · Post by **BirdCrazy** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 11:45 am

I actually use turkey/gamebird starter in my finch food. It is a non-medicated 26% protein crumble. If you use chicken starter make sure it is non-medicated. I don't think they should have antibiotics needlessly. How I got started on using the starter was that I raise Button Quail and this is their main staple. I started mixing it with my Doves food for more protein for them. I give the mixed Dove food with the starter plus Finch and Canary food all mixed together in my mixed aviary feeder. They all pick at it. I think it is good for them and my birds all look great. I like the fact that is is not as perishable as egg food too and gives them extra protein.

Sable · Post by **Sable** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:23 am

hey thanks for the info, will look in to the site. will have to try and see whether i can source turkey crumble here. with its high protein it sounds great. thanks Sable

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:30 am

A friend of mine, who raises Gouldians, Parrot finches, Owls, Stars, and Parson finches, uses it. It's offered all the time. I don't know what type it is though.

Post by **Sally** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 2:19 am

I have used game bird starter before. You have to be careful that it is not medicated--some feed stores only carry medicated chick starter and game bird starter. I was crushing it up in the coffee grinder and adding it to my eggfood mix, but the birds didn't seem too crazy about it. I will try just putting a dish of it in the cages to see if they will eat it that way.