Chick Treat Feeding Question

[Steam Powered Chicken]

Hello, I'm new. My fluffy chicks are do to be delivered at the end of the month, and I have been looking at fun ways to entertain them while in the brooder. How old must they be to have some kitchen scraps/greens? I know I will need to provide them with grit with it, but I was wondering if it was something that could be done within the first week or would I be better off waiting?

Thanks for any answers.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello, I'm new. My fluffy chicks are do to be delivered at the end of the month, and I have been looking at fun ways to entertain them while in the brooder. How old must they be to have some kitchen scraps/greens? I know I will need to provide them with grit with it, but I was wondering if it was something that could be done within the first week or would I be better off waiting?

Thanks for any answers.

Hello.
I would personally wait at least a week until you start offering anything other than their starter. That way they will get a good strong start.
I left the lights on in my garage where I had the brooder set up for the first three days so that the chicks could eat whenever they wanted. I used a brooder plate so there was not light from a heat lamp.
I gave mine sod plugs from my yard starting in the second week and they had a blast with them. I also offered broken up meal worms and like any self respecting chicken, they went bonkers for them.
I offered chick grit in the second week.
Enjoy the little buggers when you get them! They grow like weeds.

 

[Steam Powered Chicken]

Hello.
I would personally wait at least a week until you start offering anything other than their starter. That way they will get a good strong start.
I left the lights on in my garage where I had the brooder set up for the first three days so that the chicks could eat whenever they wanted. I used a brooder plate so there was not light from a heat lamp.
I gave mine sod plugs from my yard starting in the second week and they had a blast with them. I also offered broken up meal worms and like any self respecting chicken, they went bonkers for them.
I offered chick grit in the second week.
Enjoy the little buggers when you get them! They grow like weeds.

Thank you so much! That's all great information!

 

[ChocolateMouse]

I mean, like, you CAN. But chick starter is the most nutritionally complete and they will be happy enough for it just because literally every food is a new food for them and so chick starter is very exciting. You could even wet it down into a mash. If you ARE going for treats, pick ones that are nutritionally dense like insects or sprouted grains over corn or bread and keep them to less than 10% the total of their diet.

 

[Steam Powered Chicken]

I mean, like, you CAN. But chick starter is the most nutritionally complete and they will be happy enough for it just because literally every food is a new food for them and so chick starter is very exciting. You could even wet it down into a mash. If you ARE going for treats, pick ones that are nutritionally dense like insects or sprouted grains over corn or bread and keep them to less than 10% the total of their diet.

^_^ Thanks, I'll wait then until they are a little older and needing a fun distraction of new things.

 

[SueT]

Many people offer chicks some sod from outside to help them develop immunity to coccidiosis. I see you live in WI, maybe you can chop out a hunk of sod and thaw it for them. But I agree that treats are unnecessary, and treats can lead to picky eaters.

 

[Steam Powered Chicken]

Many people offer chicks some sod from outside to help them develop immunity to coccidiosis. I see you live in WI, maybe you can chop out a hunk of sod and thaw it for them. But I agree that treats are unnecessary, and treats can lead to picky eaters.

Thanks for the advice on the sod.
As for treats, I probably should have explained that I mean vegetable trimmings from salad greens and such.

 

[GrandmaKatnip]

My chicks are 4 weeks old, and last week I pulled some dandilions for them. They had a blast pecking and running around with them. I peeled some carrots this morning and wondered if I can offer the peelings to the chicks. They are good eaters, love their grit, and I hope I am not spoiling them!