Baby Chicks Not Eating Chick Starter

[Brooks_]

Oh ok, so not just a pile of sand or can you add that as well?

Both is fine.

 

[Aunt Angus]

You can give them sand or dirt. Chick grit is about the same size.

 

[MsBoPeep]

You can give them sand or dirt. Chick grit is about the same size.

Got it Thank you for the tips everyone!

 

[MsBoPeep]

Wait, one last thing..I put the sand in with some grass and they are just eating the sand. is this ok? should I stop them from eating it?

 

[Brooks_]

Wait, one last thing..I put the sand in with some grass and they are just eating the sand. is this ok? should I stop them from eating it?

That is how they would naturally get their grit. Depending on your soil you may never "need" grit. It's cheap and doesn't go bad, I leave it out.

 

[MsBoPeep]

That is how they would naturally get their grit. Depending on your soil you may never "need" grit. It's cheap and doesn't go bad, I leave it out.

I'm in south florida, it's basically beach sand.

 

[Brooks_]

I'm in south florida, it's basically beach sand.

That's what I thought you'd have. For now it's probably fine, but as they grow "I" would provide size/age appropriate grit.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I'm jealous of your beach sand!

Honestly, I don't give mine grit at all because they get it on their own once they're outside (or if I give them a clump of grass in the brooder). But it certainly doesn't hurt.

 

[kerbotx]

I would advise caution with the sand - at just 1 week old, they may confuse it with food & gorge on it. Just be ready to remove it, if necessary. Try giving them a wet mash - just 1-2 tablespoons of chick starter with equal parts water in a shallow dish or plastic lid; let the water fully absorb, then stir a tiny bit. They usually think it's a treat! Side note: they don't even need grit until they are eating non-feed foods.

 

[rosemarythyme]

For reference, this is how big chick grit should be - any hard rock of appropriate size will do: