1. Do I need to give 1.5 week old chicks grit? 2. What can I do to make my chicks less bored.

[thewatsonfarm]

1. they are pushing two weeks old at this point. (rhode island reds) I haven't given them any grit and they seem fine. Can I make my own grit/can they find it themselves?

Everyone views chick grit differently - personally I do provide grit free choice the first week along with a plug of sod (see below)

2. They seem bored in the brooder. I want to give them something to do. (I'd be bored out of my mind if I were in there so I want to treat them how I would want to be treated)
(one more thing) 3. They are about two weeks old the brooder is about 1.75 feet tall. Can they escape (I've seen many of them fly a few inches up already

Yes, they will be out of 1.75 tall box very soon. Do you have your coop ready? How are you brooding them - with a lamp or heating pad?
You can also provide them with a perch - but if your box is only 1.75ft tall, they will be flying out.

Chick boredom buster, for me anyway, ties back into your question #1 a pan or tub of dirt - if they are inside, they will make a mess though.
I use a mixture of ash, "fresh dirt" and sifted dirt from my runs - then top it with a couple of plugs of grass, dandelion, etc. I do sprinkle in some chick grit too. Chicks love it for digging, dust bathing - they are also exposed to pathogens they will encounter from my adults and what's in the soil. I transition to a bigger tub as they grow, but usually they will be let out into the grow out run before that. I also like to trim little "treats" for them - favorite thing right now are those tiny little seeds from Broccoli - I "shave" about a tablespoon off and sprinkle it in the grow out pen - they spend a lot of time digging for those.
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Wyorp Rock -- you totally inspired me! After reading your post I took my little ones outside on a field trip to the big girls's dirt bath. They had the best time digging in the dirt! Once they get some grit built up, we'll try some dandelions and broccoli! tee hee!!! Thank you!

 

[Fishkeeper]

Cat toys are worth a shot for entertainment. Try those little plastic balls with the bells inside.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Wyorp Rock -- you totally inspired me! After reading your post I took my little ones outside on a field trip to the big girls's dirt bath. They had the best time digging in the dirt! Once they get some grit built up, we'll try some dandelions and broccoli! tee hee!!! Thank you!

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This is great! They are such cuties
I always get tickled at chicks - even at a couple of days old, they are just delighted to have dirt, it's like they already know what it's for.

 

[venymae]

looks like you are getting great advice! I second a roosting bar and a container of dirt/sand and a grass clump or similar yard weed. Another thing that is SUPER fun is giving them crickets or mealworms from pet store. So. Much. Running. And yes, I give my chicks regular old construction sand as grit. It works fine.

 

[thewatsonfarm]

Cat toys are worth a shot for entertainment. Try those little plastic balls with the bells inside.

Oh! I like that idea too! Now you're getting my brain ticking! They are enjoying the xylophone!

 

[HoopyFrood]

Oh! I like that idea too! Now you're getting my brain ticking! They are enjoying the xylophone!
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Do they peck at it and play it? That is AWESOME!

 

[thewatsonfarm]

Do they peck at it and play it? That is AWESOME!

They are a little bit. I put it down in the brooder & the buff orpington seems especially interested in it.

 

[HoopyFrood]

They are a little bit. I put it down in the brooder & the buff orpington seems especially interested in it.

I've been thinking about some new playthings in the run this spring. Maybe a xylophone is exactly what they need!

 

[thewatsonfarm]

I've been thinking about some new playthings in the run this spring. Maybe a xylophone is exactly what they need!

My grown hens never liked it at all. I tried to bribe them into playing it by putting raisins on the keys, but that lasted about three seconds.

Our baby chicks, however, are just 3 weeks old & they are so wonderfully curious! They've been playing with it, walking on it, sleeping on it....

We haven't had chicks in 3 years -- they are such a joy!