chick treats?

[whiteboy]

We feed fresh peas, split in half if larger. They love 'em.

 

[finally flying]

Thanks for all the help! My chicks liked the mud clod. Next up we will try finely chopped veggies and scrambled eggs. Of course this raises the question of what is grit and how do I give it to my chicks?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Of course this raises the question of what is grit and how do I give it to my chicks?

Grit is small hard rocks that work as "teeth" to help chickens break down their food, as they cannot chew.

For chicks, I sprinkle a tiny bit on their food every few days. Once they're older I just offer it in a dish on the side and they take what they need when they need it.

 

[finally flying]

Thanks rosemarythyme. Is chick grit the same as sand?

Water melon and green pepper were a big hit among the chicks.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thanks rosemarythyme. Is chick grit the same as sand?

More like small gravel, but if you have coarse enough sand that's also hard (so granite instead of sandstone) then it can serve as grit.

 

[Heaven 11]

I put about 2 cups of clean dirt on their brooder floor. They love to scratch around in it. Also can take small cup of their regular dry food and add water or water & drop or 2 cider vinegar to make a mash, consistency of hot cereal. I give to my chicks and hens at end of the day to establish feeding routine they look forward to.
But every one loves mealworns, so once in a while I crush up a few for them to scratch up. They may even take them from your fingers if you hold one out. Babies instinctively will pick food offered like they would from the mama.

What do you mean by "clean" dirt? This sounds like a great idea to add to my little brooder to give my 5 little chicks (1 and 2 weeks old) something to do, but I don't want to add anything that could make them sick.

 

[Onyxflock]

What do you mean by "clean" dirt? This sounds like a great idea to add to my little brooder to give my 5 little chicks (1 and 2 weeks old) something to do, but I don't want to add anything that could make them sick.

That does sound kind of odd, I guess.
That would mean natural soil that had no poop, chicken or pets or wild birds. And no chemicals ever like round up or soil ammendments. Probably the dirt in your run or the area you plan to keep them is best. Fine, dry, topsoil - no potting mix. They will always be scratching the soil, floor or pen anyway - their favorite thing.
Also give them little piles of alfalfa or straw. They love to scratch around and nestle in You can get small bundles in pet food aisle or pet store in guinea pig & rabbit section.
We're in high Desert, so dirt is more abundant than grass!

 

[Heaven 11]

That does sound kind of odd, I guess.
That would mean natural soil that had no poop, chicken or pets or wild birds. And no chemicals ever like round up or soil ammendments. Probably the dirt in your run or the area you plan to keep them is best. Fine, dry, topsoil - no potting mix. They will always be scratching the soil, floor or pen anyway - their favorite thing.
Also give them little piles of alfalfa or straw. They love to scratch around and nestle in You can get small bundles in pet food aisle or pet store in guinea pig & rabbit section.
We're in high Desert, so dirt is more abundant than grass!

I have plenty of hay so expect I could give them a bit in their brooder to play in. I am in East Tennessee and right now all we have is mud but when it dries out I wonder if I could give them some of the composted dirt that was made from horse manure, pine shavings and vegetable waste? I realize you said no poop, chicken or pet waste but does composted horse manure count?

 

[CHlCKEN]

Don’t give many treats until they are a couple weeks old, you want them to focus on their starters feed so they can grow.

Peas, chopped up mealworms, grass clippings and things from the yard, all make fantastic treats. Just be sure to offer chick grit

 

[Onyxflock]

I have plenty of hay so expect I could give them a bit in their brooder to play in. I am in East Tennessee and right now all we have is mud but when it dries out I wonder if I could give them some of the composted dirt that was made from horse manure, pine shavings and vegetable waste? I realize you said no poop, chicken or pet waste but does composted horse manure count?

Once they're a few months old, they should be able to tolerate anything passing to them from the manure. And they'll likely love scratching in that stuff. But you need to limit exposure to bacteria that might make a great compost. Their systems need to develop antiobodies first.