Chicks eating lots of layers mash...

[zowieyellowflame]

Hello, My 2 week old chicks are being looked after in the coop and yard by their mom. I give them lots of medicated starter, which they do eat, but mamma is also encouraging them to eat layers mash, cracked corn, vegetables and bugs and seeds that they find in the yard. Is this ok? A bit of layers mash won't hurt?

 

[Judy]

You should probably remove the layer mash. The extra calcium in it can harm their kidneys. Supposedly, if you offer oyster shell separately, they hens will eat what they need and the chicks won't bother it. Mama can do without the calcium for a while, anyway, if she and babies are separated from the others.

I wouldn't worry about their eating what they find in the yard. I'm guessing they can get enough grit in your soil to grind their foods.