Additional Foods for Young Chicks?

[baby-blue]

Hello! I’ve looked through the pinned thread regarding treats for chicks, but I couldn’t find additional answers. I’ve given my chicks plain scrambled eggs before, but I was wondering if I could add some dried oregano to it? Eleven of the chicks are 5 days old, one of them is 10-12 days old. Could I also possibly add romaine lettuce to it? They had a small dish of sand/grit today and they all thought it was the bees’ knees. Should I provide more grit on top of the eggs/lettuce, or on the side? Sorry for all of the questions, I just want to be sure!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Give poultry grit (crushed granite) free choice (put a little cup in the brooder) they will take what they need.

Curious as to the reason for oregano? Mine don't really like things added to their eggs, but if yours will eat it, then I don't really see what a pinch of oregano will hurt.

Romaine lettuce - put 1 leaf in the brooder and let them nibble/explore. They probably won't eat much of it, but they will become familiar nonetheless.
Other things I may put in the brooder (one a day) 1 small piece of fresh broccoli, 1 leaf of kale, a finely chopped grape, slice of cucumber, etc. Rarely do my small chicks really consume much, but it's something for them to pick at, taste and provides a bit of entertainment.

A small tub of dirt and sand with a plug of sod is always entertaining as well. Love to watch babies take a dust bath. Just know, they are going to make a complete mess and fling dirt everywhere.

 

[Coop Z-ville]

Hello! I’ve looked through the pinned thread regarding treats for chicks, but I couldn’t find additional answers. I’ve given my chicks plain scrambled eggs before, but I was wondering if I could add some dried oregano to it? Eleven of the chicks are 5 days old, one of them is 10-12 days old. Could I also possibly add romaine lettuce to it? They had a small dish of sand/grit today and they all thought it was the bees’ knees. Should I provide more grit on top of the eggs/lettuce, or on the side? Sorry for all of the questions, I just want to be sure!

Might be just me, but I waited awhile before I gave my babies extra treats. I figured their "baby food" was best for them at this stage, no worry about grit or nutritional balance. Funny thing-I would put their starter crumbles in my hand, and they would go crazy over it! Even though it was the same stuff in their feeder a foot away!. They thought it was a treat, and it was a good way to get the chicks used to me and being handled-they would jump right onto my hand. Now they're almost a year old, and even though they do get more variety in their diet, they will still come running if I hold my hand out with layer crumbles on it!

 

[baby-blue]

Give poultry grit (crushed granite) free choice (put a little cup in the brooder) they will take what they need.

Curious as to the reason for oregano? Mine don't really like things added to their eggs, but if yours will eat it, then I don't really see what a pinch of oregano will hurt.

Romaine lettuce - put 1 leaf in the brooder and let them nibble/explore. They probably won't eat much of it, but they will become familiar nonetheless.
Other things I may put in the brooder (one a day) 1 small piece of fresh broccoli, 1 leaf of kale, a finely chopped grape, slice of cucumber, etc. Rarely do my small chicks really consume much, but it's something for them to pick at, taste and provides a bit of entertainment.

A small tub of dirt and sand with a plug of sod is always entertaining as well. Love to watch babies take a dust bath. Just know, they are going to make a complete mess and fling dirt everywhere.

I skipped the oregano this time - I’d read in other threads that it’s good for them, and it can be a fun little treat. The littlest one charged at their dish of eggs and certainly seeemed to enjoy herself while eating them! They’re now pecking at the lettuce and giving me weird looks - “why on earth did you put this leaf in here, you featherless beast?” - but they’re having a nice time with it. I’ll give the dust bath a go in a bit! Thank you!

Might be just me, but I waited awhile before I gave my babies extra treats. I figured their "baby food" was best for them at this stage, no worry about grit or nutritional balance. Funny thing-I would put their starter crumbles in my hand, and they would go crazy over it! Even though it was the same stuff in their feeder a foot away!. They thought it was a treat, and it was a good way to get the chicks used to me and being handled-they would jump right onto my hand. Now they're almost a year old, and even though they do get more variety in their diet, they will still come running if I hold my hand out with layer crumbles on it!

I’ve just been wanting to add some variety - I’ll see if they feel the same as yours did about chick crumble in my hands! A few of them already like to hop in my hands and they’re all obsessed with pecking at my nail polish. According to them, I have some interesting looking grubs on top of my fingernails!

 

[chickens really]

I give mine apple sliced in half, Cucumber, banana, pears etc every few days. I provide Grit.

 

[Coop Z-ville]

I skipped the oregano this time - I’d read in other threads that it’s good for them, and it can be a fun little treat. The littlest one charged at their dish of eggs and certainly seeemed to enjoy herself while eating them! They’re now pecking at the lettuce and giving me weird looks - “why on earth did you put this leaf in here, you featherless beast?” - but they’re having a nice time with it. I’ll give the dust bath a go in a bit! Thank you!



I’ve just been wanting to add some variety - I’ll see if they feel the same as yours did about chick crumble in my hands! A few of them already like to hop in my hands and they’re all obsessed with pecking at my nail polish. According to them, I have some interesting looking grubs on top of my fingernails!

How funny! When I taught 2nd grade, I hatched eggs every spring. The babies would stay with us until they were about 3 weeks old and wanting to flap around the classroom. I always thought they were a hoot, and now that I have seen them grow from these little balls of fluff to mature layers, I am constantly amazed at their intelligence and sense of fun! It sounds like your babies have a wonderful home!

 

[baby-blue]

How funny! When I taught 2nd grade, I hatched eggs every spring. The babies would stay with us until they were about 3 weeks old and wanting to flap around the classroom. I always thought they were a hoot, and now that I have seen them grow from these little balls of fluff to mature layers, I am constantly amazed at their intelligence and sense of fun! It sounds like your babies have a wonderful home!

That’s a wonderful story! And thank you - I’m really trying my best! I remember being in second grade when a girl brought in some eggs and incubated them. The chicks stayed in the class for a while, and hence an interest in chickens took root in me! It took longer than 7 year old me would’ve liked, but I’ve got chicks now and they’re really some of the sweetest creatures. I never knew how many different breeds they came in and just how interesting chickens really are!