Chick Questions!

[wildflowerrun]

So I got a batch of chicks at the beginning of March. Then I got 5 more last weekend.... But that's a different story (chicken math has already got me a few times).

So far it's been relatively "easy" (check on them in the morning, switch out their water, make sure their food is clean, check everyone is healthy) and extremely satisfying! Currently my original batch of chicks and the 5 I got last week are on different sides of the same brooder with a plastic divider between. I didn't want to risk them getting sick, but they're both roughly 3 weeks old, so I'm hoping for smooth integration in the next week or two.

But now for my questions!

• When can I start feeding them treats? I hear that I should wait until they're almost 6 weeks old. I've heard that's when I should stick a roost in there, too, but they're already having fun hopping all around their feeder.....
• What kind of treats should I give them? I've heard yogurt and mealworms as two big ones, plus table scraps. I'm still not sure if I should give them chick grit when it comes to that, though!
• How can I make them used to me? I've tried sticking my hand in the brooder, feeding them from my hand, etc. The Delawares seem pretty happy--if I'm trying to clean out their water, they stand by and sometimes tap my hand to try and get food. The Anconas may come over, too. Some of the Ameraucanas stay on the outside to see what happens. The rest of them (the rest of the Anconas and the rest of the Ameraucanas and ALL of the Welsummers!) go running in a corner. The 5 new birds were relatively calm the first day, but I think that's because they were scared--now, they ALL go running!
• When do you start sexing your Delawares/Anconas? Three of my Anconas have pretty pronounced/pink-ish combs in comparison. Two of the Delawares do as well (I'm rather sad as these are one of my favorites so far).
• I noticed one of my Delawares (first time today) grab and PULL hard on another bird's back. The other bird screeched. I definitely jumped--it was surprising. Is this the start of a problem or at this point relatively harmless?
• What can I give them for entertainment? I want them to be HAPPY and more interested in something else than in pecking at each other too much! I will scatter some feed on the bottom of the brooder sometimes. They seem pretty happy pecking and scratching while I'm gone during the day.
• One of my new chicks has a slightly swollen vent with some crusting. I've looked at old posts and it sounds like a bird that used to have pasty butt and is recovering--I ran her under warm water the other day and removed some of the crusting. Yesterday the swelling had gone down. I haven't seen her poo (I don't sit down there for hours at a time, unfortunately!), but she drinks water, eats food, and curls up with her other 4 gals. Do I have to worry? Should I be singling her out? (Again, I don't want any of these 5 chicks endangering the 26 others I have on the other side of the box!
• Poll question!: How often do you clean their brooders out? What about their feeders/waterers? I tend to clean out their waterers at least once a day, twice if they're particularly awful by the time I get home (like today).

Whew! Sorry, guys. I can talk But I figure my coworkers are tired of hearing about my chickens....

 

[sumi]

- They are old enough for treats. Just make sure you give them some grit to help them digest it. If you can't get chick grit, sprinkle some coarse sand over their food.
- Here's some ideas: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/181429/good-treats-for-baby-chicks
- Let them eat from your hand. Especially treats! Talk to them lots and spend as much time as you can with them.
- No idea, sorry! I sex my chicks at around 6-7 weeks when I can tell from the comb development which are the boys.
- They do that. They can be mean to each other! As long as they don't actually injure each other leave them be.
- You can hang something in there for them to peck, like some spinach leaves or corn on the cob (cooked)
- As long as she's eating and drinking and acting normal don't worry. Just keep an eye on her.
- When needed. I clean my brooder once a week now as they are in a huge one and it takes them awhile to mess it up. The food bowl gets emptied all the time (by them) and the water bowl gets washed daily as they are terribly messy and they refuse to drink the dirty water.

Talk all you want! That's why we're here. To talk chicken

 

[Puddin Fluff]

X2

 

[chickencrazy429]

My chicks also like albumen as a treat.
For some entertainment you can stick a mirror in there. I had a lone chick until my others were coming, and she just sat there and loved it.
And like what sumi said, she should be fine!!

 

[wildflowerrun]

I know I'm a little late, but I love the responses! Thanks guys!

I want to start them on treats but I'm pretty sure their food is straight crumble and the store was out of chick grit! That's what I get for saying, "I'll come back and get it later!" I'm hoping when I go by tomorrow they'll have some! I saved the bottoms of two romaine hearts and have them in the fridge for them to peck at!

The one chick also looks much better.... The only thing is her vent is still a bit bigger (looser even?) than the others'..... Is that normal? It doesn't look swollen or red anymore, and the she's otherwise healthy as can be.

I'm loving taking care of the chicks though I can't wait until I can stick them outside lol I'm going to have to bake some cookies to cover up the smell -_- (OK, OK, you caught me.... That's just an excuse to bake cookies.)