bread

[Linda Roose]

Hello,
A new member and new chicken's they are 10 weeks old and was wondering when can I feed them bread and fruit's and veggies??
Thanks
Linda

 

[azelgin]

As long as they have some type of grit available, they can eat most anything from day one. Chick starter has the balance of nutrients they need, so, that's what gets feed by most people when the chicks are young.

 

[cnicho05]

Hello,

I would suggest you wait until the chicks are a few weeks old. I typically find it important to use medicated chick feed for the first ten weeks before switching to an organic grower feed. At this time I begin to introduce grit, for a week or two, before providing scrap foods. This allows the birds to consume some of the grit to help with the digestion process.

It is extremely important that you remember to provide grit regularly. Most chickens, even those who are free range, don't get enough grit to properly digest their food. This can cause many problems as the bird is unable to retrieve the nutrients from their food and can even develop blockages.

 

[azelgin]

Hello,

I would suggest you wait until the chicks are a few weeks old.

I still stand firm on my original statement. A broody hen will start foraging with her chicks as soon as they leave the nest. She will share whatever she finds to eat with them. Bugs, grasses, seeds, whatever. They will pick up grit as they forage. They don't need it in their digestive system weeks ahead of time. Unless you live in a total dust bowl, or, clay lake bed, they will find grit.

 

[blucoondawg]

Hello,

I would suggest you wait until the chicks are a few weeks old. I typically find it important to use medicated chick feed for the first ten weeks before switching to an organic grower feed. At this time I begin to introduce grit, for a week or two, before providing scrap foods. This allows the birds to consume some of the grit to help with the digestion process.

It is extremely important that you remember to provide grit regularly. Most chickens, even those who are free range, don't get enough grit to properly digest their food. This can cause many problems as the bird is unable to retrieve the nutrients from their food and can even develop blockages.

Chicks and chickens have found their own grit for thousands of years as do all other sorts of wild birds, they may have trouble during winter if you have major snow cover but during warm months it is unecessary. Also you shouldn't use medicated chick starter if you have vaccinated your chicks for cocci.

 

[cnicho05]

Chicks and chickens have found their own grit for thousands of years as do all other sorts of wild birds, they may have trouble during winter if you have major snow cover but during warm months it is unecessary. Also you shouldn't use medicated chick starter if you have vaccinated your chicks for cocci.

You are correct about chickens gathering grit for thousands of years on their own. While this is true, it is suggested by many feed production companies to wait until chicks are a minimum of two weeks old. It is their belief that chicks need this time to better develop their digestive system. Furthermore, these same feed companies make this suggestion as many chicks will consume high amounts of grit as they are not use to having it.

As for medicated feed...there are many different forms of medicated chick starter and I agree with blucoondawg. Please do your research and check which vaccinations your chicks have received and feed appropriately.

 

[blucoondawg]

You are correct about chickens gathering grit for thousands of years on their own. While this is true, it is suggested by many feed production companies to wait until chicks are a minimum of two weeks old. It is their belief that chicks need this time to better develop their digestive system. Furthermore, these same feed companies make this suggestion as many chicks will consume high amounts of grit as they are not use to having it.

As for medicated feed...there are many different forms of medicated chick starter and I agree with blucoondawg. Please do your research and check which vaccinations your chicks have received and feed appropriately.

With chicks, if you are going to supply grit you should get a finer grit or go outside and scoop up some fine stone or sand to let them pick at, I personally don't supply grit to chicks in a brooder, they don't need it to digest chick starter or really an pellet or crumble chicken feed as it will moisten and fall apart easily in the digestive track. Azelgin is 100% correct about chicks raised by a broody, they will be out and about wherever the hen takes them and be eating whatever they find which will be seeds, insects, grasses, etc. all of which requires grit to digest well, these free ranged chicks will get their own grit pretty much immediately, they have to.

My full grown chickens will eat too much grit if it isn't left out all the time, if you only throw a bowl out once in awhile they will gorge themselves on it like it is a special treat not a feed supplement. If I were going to give it to chicks I would put a light sprinkling over their actual feed so they only get a small amount at a time I wouldn't provide a bowl of grit for them to eat rather than feed.