What can i feed my baby chicks?

[Demidog]

Can they get fruit / veg etc right from when they hatch? Or only chick feed? What do they like, what is best for them? How about grass or weeds from the garden? Is there anything poisonous that they shouldn't get? How should i give it to them - chopped up or whole? etc etc..... This is my first ever chickens so i have no clue!

 

[lazy gardener]

If giving chicks anything other than their starter crumble, they need grit. One excellent option is to give them a plug of sod. Depending on your soil structure, they can get some grit there, plus, it will help them to build their immunity, and they'll have a blast tearing it to shreds, and eating any grass it has. Be sure your lawn has not been treated with pesticides/herbicides/fungicides if you do this. Also, clip any grass short. Regarding worming: a lot of flocksters don't medicate unless they actually see worms, or unless they have a fecal float test done by the vet which indicates that there is sufficient worm load to warrant medicating them.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The best thing for them is chick starter since it is formulated with all the vitamins, minerals and amino acids chickens are known to need in the right percentages. There's been 100 years of research into poultry nutrition.
That's all I feed them until they start venturing outside and forage.
Almost any fruit, vegetable, meat, fish scrap will be accepted.
They don't have hands and teeth so most things need to be chopped finely enough to fit in the esophagus.
If feeding anything other than starter feed, they'll need grit. Chick grit is about the size of sand. Actually grit is a good idea even if they only get feed.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It will be a good idea to peruse the learning center at the top of the page.

 

[iPeanut1990]

Mine are about 4 days old now. I've been offering them some yogurt sprinkled with chick starter and grit but they just aren't interested. I guess I'll try again in a few more days.

 

[Demidog]

I'm going to give them chick feed as well, i just wanted to know what else they can get and when to start giving it to them. I will have a look through the learning center as well.

Is grit just regular grit from the ground? I'v got sand in my garden, would that do? Or do i need to buy grit especially for chicks/chickens?

And why do you give yogurt? I would have thought chickens don't eat dairy products.

What about antibiotics? Someone mentioned that to me.

And wormers? Tick/flea treatment? Do they need that, and when?

 

[Fancychooklady]

I'm going to give them chick feed as well, i just wanted to know what else they can get and when to start giving it to them. I will have a look through the learning center as well.


Is grit just regular grit from the ground? I'v got sand in my garden, would that do? Or do i need to buy grit especially for chicks/chickens? 


And why do you give yogurt? I would have thought chickens don't eat dairy products. 


What about antibiotics? Someone mentioned that to me. 


And wormers?  Tick/flea treatment? Do they need that, and when? 

I don't add grit when they are only eating chick crumble and by the time they are off the crumble they are in the garden getting their own.
Yoghurt is a good source of probiotics after illness but anything high in calcium isn't good for chickens on a regular basis.
Antibiotics are only considered when there is illness
And yes your birds should be wormed on a regular basis.
Chickens can and do get lice and mites , but there is no point worrying about that till it happens.
My advice is , if it s not broken don't fix it. Take it one day at a time.
This article is very informative

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/03/baby-chick-basics-what-you-need-to-know.html

 

[annanimal]

I give my newly hatched chicks, chick starter and boiled eggs or scrambled eggs, they love it and it is good for them. Chickens eat just about anything, yogurt is one of my chickens favorites, it is just very messy.

Everything you need to know about mites, fleas and poultry lice:
http://www.tillysnest.com/2013/07/backyard-chickens-and-fleas.html

 

[countrygirl86]

Here is a really nice source from the learning center.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-treat-chart-the-best-treats-for-backyard-chickens

I started giving my chicks treats at 3-4 days old. I started them on commercial chick grit a day or two before offering treats. While treats are fine in moderation, chicks need to get the majority of their nutrition from feed while they are growing.

 

[Demidog]

Thanks everyone, I'll have a look through those links