4 week old care

[telepiste]

Hi! I am new to this, but I sure am loving it! My 3 chicks are 4 weeks old, and it's nice and warm outside finally. Can I let them outside in a tractor on the lawn to have at the bugs and grass? Do I need to first add grit to their starter? They'll still return to the brooder at night, but they just love their yard play time.

Thanks!

 

[gritsar]

Sure you can take them out in a tractor. Just be sure to keep an eye on them.
Yes, they will need grit or put in an area where they can find their own in the form of small pebbles in the dirt.

 

[telepiste]

How long do I have to feed them grit before they can chow down on grass and bugs?

Thank you!

 

[gritsar]

Just the same day would be fine. Once they are eating foods besides their starter they should have grit available free choice.

 

[telepiste]

Thank you! Now one last question, I promise. What kind if grit should I get? It seems there is great varriation in size, and the local feed stores don't have chick grit.

Thanks!!

 

[Judy]

Where do you live? What kind of soil do you have?

There may be enough grit in the soil and chick starter for them. If you have sandy soil, I would not worry about it.

Around here, feed stores that have been in business for decades never heard of grti. We have sandy soil that also has a lot of limestone.

Some on here get grit for smaller birds, like parrots, but often it has a lot of calcium in it, which is going to do more harm than good, as their kidneys will not handle the extra calcium well.