Can they go out already and do they need grit?

[alessadry]

Tomorrow is going to be a nice warm day and my chicks have just turned 5 weeks old. I was thinking to let them spend some time tomorrow in our fenced yard under our supervision.. my concern is if they eat grass or bugs and if I need to give grit..I have grit from Manna Pro but it says to give it to 8 weeks old chicks..

 

[teach1rusl]

Oh yes...get those babies OUT!! I think that grit would do fine. Mine (5 weeks also) have coarse sand with pea gravel mixed in in their run. They "eat" the sizes that are right for them. My lamp is off today...as long as the weather is nice (50 ish), I'm only turning the lamp on each night, when the sun starts dipping.

 

[spankyleatherlips]

I hope you post pictures of your chick adventure. Sure sounds like a fun day.

 

[sunshineyarns]

My 3 week old girls were out today here in Colorado -- its almost 80! They were supervised too of course, but we just let them roam around and find their own grit... I watched one of my girls playing with pebbles

They ate grass, ants, dirt... so fun to watch

 

[Judy]

At 5 weeks I would not have any heat on them at all and I would seriously be thinking of putting them in the coop, perhaps with a little heat in a cold climate.

Definitely, start acclimating them to the outdoors.

 

[catdaddy66]

I have six week old babies that went out in their first outdoor coop from the brooder. They are fully feathered and happy to have some room! The will get grit but supply them some as well. Anything other than processed/store bought will probably require grit to aid in digestion. Mine are going to be getting their first treat of BOSS and scratch tomorrow and I'm sure they will enjoy it!

 

[Coldweatherbirds]

I'm jealous. We got 10 inches of snow yesterday. My peeps will never get to go out at this rate!

 

[ChickLover883]

Quote:
Your chickens look so adorable! mine are almost exactly like them