Brand new chicken owner

[JenBreese]

My honey and I just got our first chicks. They were hatched on July 10 and couldn't be cuter. Doesn't everyone say that? We have 2 amercaunas, 1 bright Brahma, 1 Welsummer, 1 black sex link and 1 golden laced Wyandotte. We are computer programmers by trade so are having fun coming up with obscure programming languages to name the girls. Totally nerdy.

My question to all of you is about feeding. Right now they eat chick mash. When should we give them treats, like mealworms or veg or clumps from the garden? I am trying to not hold them too much to keep from stressing them. But I go in where they are and hang out and chat to them. They seem to like that better than being picked up.

 

[gryeyes]

I usually wait until chicks are two weeks old before I give them any treat other than scrambled or chopped, hard-boiled egg. I figure I kinda need to keep things simple during their most vulnerable age.

After that, I simply provide a little dish of all purpose sand and start giving them other treats.

Be forewarned - chicks often are terrified of new foods. Scary strawberry pieces. Murderous Mealworms. Killer Peas were the most hysterical. A chick pecked one with rapidity, dislodging a pea next to the target pea. Loose pea rolled or was propelled toward the attacking chick. Terrified chick scrambled back to the far side of the brooder, to huddle amongst the rest of the chicks. It took them more than two hours to risk another venture.

 

[Fierlin1182]

Hi and

I agree with two weeks. We always buy our chicks at two weeks old, and they can go straight in the garden to find treats for themselves during the day.

That's awesome about the names... nerdy things for the win!

Enjoy the site

 

[drumstick diva]

I've been scared by peas myself - veggies do that to me especially broccoli -

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

2 weeks then GRADUALLY introduce new foods.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

 

[JenBreese]

Thanks everyone! They have eaten two moths dumb enough to come into the brooder which was hilarious.

 

[Eggcessive]

Plain spaghetti noodles one at a time create a feeding frenzy after they get over the initial scariness. We made friends with ours the first year just sitting in a lawn chair dangling noodles. One grabs it and runs with everyone else trying to grab it. Just remember that they need 90% of their diet to be chick feed to get proper nutrition, so be stingy with the treats.

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas and

! Great to have you with us!

 

[liz9910]

Welcome to BYC! I agree with the other posters, except I love broccoli lol