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At what age can "treats" be given to the chicks?

post #1 of 7
6/20/12 at 2:52pm
Thread Starter 

I see where many folks are giving their flock watermelon, scrambled eggs, peas, carrots, ..... you name it. I am assuming that the chickens are mature and not 5 or 6 weeks old. Right now, I give dried meal worms and organic rolled oats to them for treats. I also pick fresh grass and they sure love the "treats.  I just want to know if it's okay at their young age (6 weeks) to give them the above mentioned treats. Also, I read where cooked brown rice is a treat. Any suggestions about diet change and all that would be greatly appreciated. I am feeding "Flock Raiser Sunshine Recipe" from Purina to them right now and will change to "Layena" in about 12 more weeks.

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post #2 of 7
6/20/12 at 5:16pm

I was worried about the same thing to. But mine when they were only maybe a couple weeks ahead of yours i gave them treats and they just simply enjoyed it. I think it's completely fine. :)

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post #3 of 7
6/20/12 at 6:52pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the reply. I think you're probably right. I ordered a "Hen Treat" ball that I can place

lettuce and other treats inside and hang it for the chicks to peck at. Tomorrow, they will be 6 weeks old and already looking like teens.

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post #4 of 7
6/21/12 at 11:52am

Awesome! I think they'll love it have fun!

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post #5 of 7
6/21/12 at 11:56am

I was wondering the same thing we just got our first chicks yesterday(buff opringtons) 3 pullets and 1 cockerel they are 6 wks old.  The kids saw some treats(dried meal worms) and they wanted to buy them but i wasn't sure if they could have them yet.  Does anyone have a list of do and donts to feed them?

 

Michelle

Army wife, and mommy to 10 yr old 4 yr.old ,2yr old 5 buff orpington, 1 black sexlink, 2 cochin 5 bo chicks

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Army wife, and mommy to 10 yr old 4 yr.old ,2yr old 5 buff orpington, 1 black sexlink, 2 cochin 5 bo chicks

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post #6 of 7
6/23/12 at 4:13am

They can have treats as soon as you provide them with grit. For little ones, sand works, then chick grit, then larger chicken grit. I brood my babies on paper towels for the first week, to teach them which food to eat. Then they move to a brooder with 2 inches of sand in the bottom. Grit, super easy to clean, and they learn to dust bath. That's also when they start getting treats.

 

I used to wait until they moved outside, but I wanted to make friends with my turkey poults so I started treats earlier.

 

Moved the babies outside yesterday, and the favorite turkey now hops on my knee for a meal worm. He already knew my treat call!

 

As soon as you start giving treats, they realize you're not so bad after all. But they need grit for digesting greens and other fibrous things or whole foods.

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post #7 of 7
6/23/12 at 10:40am

thanks mandelyn

Army wife, and mommy to 10 yr old 4 yr.old ,2yr old 5 buff orpington, 1 black sexlink, 2 cochin 5 bo chicks

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Army wife, and mommy to 10 yr old 4 yr.old ,2yr old 5 buff orpington, 1 black sexlink, 2 cochin 5 bo chicks

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BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Raising BackYard Chickens › Feeding & Watering Your Flock › At what age can "treats" be given to the chicks?