Can I feed 3 week old chicks greens?

[PucciChick]

I was wondering if it would be okay to give my 3 week old chicks some veggies like radicchio, bok choy leaves and broccoli? I have a lot of extras in my garden and thought they might enjoy, but don't want to start too soon if it's not good for them. Also would they need grit? I know the lady at the feed store said the chick starter had oyster shell and that was enough. Just wanting to run this by you guys to make sure. Thanks!

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

Broccoli is good, I used it for my chicks. You don't have to give them grit, but sand mixed in their feed can help prevent pasty butts.

 

[Imp]

I was wondering if it would be okay to give my 3 week old chicks some veggies like radicchio, bok choy leaves and broccoli? I have a lot of extras in my garden and thought they might enjoy, but don't want to start too soon if it's not good for them. Also would they need grit? I know the lady at the feed store said the chick starter had oyster shell and that was enough. Just wanting to run this by you guys to make sure. Thanks!

Yes it is OK to give your chicks vegetables. Those you mentioned are fine. I usually chop them finely for chicks, and just give small amounts.
And yes they would need grit. Chick grit should be available at the feed store.
I suspect the lady at the feed store might be not so educated on raising chicks. I have never heard of chick starter having oyster shell in it. Oyster shell is given to laying hens to increase their calcium intake, not a good idea for little chicks. They don't need the extra calcium, and it can be harmful to them. It is also a little too soft to be used effectively as grit.
I suspect that she believes that chick starter has grit already in it. I don't know of any brand that does have grit in it. Grit is like coarse sand/ small stones that chickens eat; they stay in the gizzard and act like teeth. Chick starter is soft enough that it doesn't need grit to grind up the food.
So when chicks start eating things besides starter, they would benefit from grit, especially if they are eating larger items.

Imp- Good luck and have fun

 

[PucciChick]

Thanks for all the information! I feed them ace hi starter mash, I will have to find the ingredient list and do some research. I gave them a small amount of broccoli, I will run out and buy grit once my feed store opens.

 

[PucciChick]

It looks like there starter mash has granite grit. Is this sufficient for them right now? Thanks again.

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

It looks like there starter mash has granite grit. Is this sufficient for them right now? Thanks again.

That's good. No need to add anymore.

 

[Imp]

Quote:
Good to know, that's the first time I've seen that confirmed on BYC.

Imp

 

[darkmatter]

These just hatched 4 days ago, the mama-hen already has them out eating greens & bugs. No commercial food at all for the Broody raised chicks.

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

Good to know, that's the first time I've seen that confirmed on BYC.

Imp

I forgot to add that I used clean dirt with no fertilizer for the chicks bedding for their first few weeks, the edit button didn't work this time, but I should have done that before.

 

[speckledhen]

Broccoli is good, I used it for my chicks. You don't have to give them grit, but sand mixed in their feed can help prevent pasty butts.

Okay, sand has NOTHING to do with pasty butt. Sand is grit, just fine grit, for grinding food.