Thread: DANGER! Day old chicks!

Been talking to my mouse dealer today who feeds his Bengals Raw and ............... DO NOT FEED DAY OLD CHICKS TO CATS ... he had problems as they are all beak and claw and no actual meat and has had lonts ttof health problems. I know Howlinbob asked about prices on another thread and cant find it ... but basically the day old chicks here are only sold in 50's for Owls etc

Sorry for the late reply... hadn't noticed your post earlier. But this is the first time I ever heard of such a thing. I do know DOCs are not particularly nutritious (eggs on legs) so they shouldn't be the mainstay of a cat's diet. But dangerous? Surely only when you feed not much else. But that goes for any type of meat.

I feed little Minnie a DOC 2-3 times a week as a treat, because I think she could use some more meat on her bones. (Vet probably won't agree though, he thinks cats should look like whippets, lol.)

I also feed them, with other meats and my cats look amazing!! the insides is the protein etc with the yolk sack etc!! ???

What are day old chicks??

I wondered the same thing - can't believe it literally means feedling live chicks...

They're not live chicks. They are quite dead. Frozen and sold as food for cats, ferrets and reptiles. They are by-products of the egg industry... male chicks that can't be used as layers. The 'chicken meal' that is used in commercial pet food contains ground day-old chicks too.

Hi I've just joined although I have Siamese not Maine Coons. I joined because I found this link to feeding chicks. I am feeding my 3 choc points 2 chicks a day and they absolutely LOVE them! I have the mum who is 3 1/2 yrs and two of her boys who are now nearly 8 months old. They have a mixture of raw meat chunks for breakfast, 2 day old chicks for lunch and a couple of chicken wings chopped into large chunks for supper. They are all thriving. I can't agree that day old chicks are poor nutrition but I'm interested in other's opinions. My only concern is that the 'kittens' wolf them down in seconds whereas Mum takes her time chewing them. My other concern is that I have read some info regarding the idea that DOCS have to much vitamin A due to the yolk. Does anyone have any info on this please?