Can baby chicks eat bugs?

[Mahonri]

Yes or no on ants? My back yard is full of them.

 

[Autumn Mama]

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Hmmm, does that mean the common earthworm around the garden or compost heap? I have *tonnes* of worms around with all of the rain we've been getting.

 

[jvls1942]

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i would not feed ants if you have the chicks in the house.. they might not eat all of them and then you have ants in the house to get rid of..

 

[Over Easy in Adna]

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Okay, I had some leftover spaghetti noodles in the fridge and read your post.

THAT WAS THE FUNNIEST THING I HAD SEEN IN YEARS!

19 of them running after the one that had the noodle, and ignoring the bowl full of them as they blew past it at full speed.

 

[crazyhen]

Make sure if they have anything but chick food that they also have chick grit to help break them down in their gizzard. Then enjoy. Mine have had earth worms and fought over them. Jean

 

[Laura78]

I've been buying crickets for my chicks. I figure the store bought ones are raised on a farm and will be much safer for them to chow down on untill they're older.

 

[Wifezilla]

I was gardening last week and gave some small earthworms to my ducklings. They were confused for a couple of seconds and then went nuts

 

[kees]

Ants didn't seem high on the list of preferential foods. The first time I tried to give them a tiny worm, they were so scared, especially when it (gasp) MOVED! After that, one chick slowly stepped closer, then retreated, summoned up the gumption and ATE IT! The others looked on with horror as the bold chick ate like a little pig. Then they realized and started rushing forth. It was sooo funny! They were grabbing the worms out of each others' beaks and running around.

Reminds me...I need to go to the yard soon...

Suzy

 

[txchickie]

I give mine alfalfa sprouts.....kinda look like worms and they go NUTS!

 

[banter]

Ants taste bad for the most part. Worms (small or cut up) are the cavier of the chick world. At first they're scared of them until one takes the plunge.
Nothing is funnier than one chick running around with a worm, and the others running after to steal it! We call it "Chicken Soccer"-free entertainment!