Chick Feeding

[seanb]

I'm new to all this stuff. Been working on a coop (which I'll post pictures of shortly) that's almost finished. We have 8 chicks that are 10 days old. 3 leghorns, 3 bar rock and 2 aruacana. They're all doing well and growing fast. Is it okay to drop insects and/or worms in the brooder once in a while? Or should they be on a strict diet of the chick feed we bought?

 

[clarkechick]

I think that its ok to start giving them things other than the chick starter as long as you provide them with some grit to help digest it. You can buy chick grit OR just strain some of the finer pieces out of the normal grit. I have 3 ladies who are 1 week old and I've let them graze around outside where they are certainly eating stuff. I tossed a chunk of apple in the brooder for them to peck at but the don't seem too interested. Maybe some oats next week! Good luck. We'd love to see that coop!

 

[cmom]

I agree, but I usually just stick with the chick starter for the first couple of weeks or so.