chicks eating seedling mix/soil along with fodder greens?

[zenstarling]

hi there — my week old chicks are busy and energetic and curious and having tons of fun pecking at and tasting organic sprouting greens I grew indoors for them. I know a lot of folks on BYC like to give clumps of sod in the brooder and with the flu going on I set up indoor sprouts/shoots ahead of time to have ready for this purpose. they have a dish of grit available at all times and love that too.

they’ve been loving exploring the greens over the last two days. they’re in a small pot and today I put the whole pot in the brooder, and the chicks were jumping in and dust bathing right in it, looking supremely happy.

then I noticed along with the greens they were eating the soil and I started to panic — it’s an organic peat-based seedling mix without fertilizer, but I suddenly remembered the bag does say to wear gloves when handling and keep away from children and pets. (I’ve been gardening for years using this brand’s organic mixes and always wondered why they say that?)

does anyone have any advice or experience with this? I ended up taking the greens out and changing the bedding so all the stray soil is removed. everybody seems fine but as a newb at this I don’t know! thanks!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I personally wouldn't feel comfortable using that (as it has perlite), though not sure how harmful it is/isn't. Can you get plain top soil, with nothing added at all, instead? Or 100% peat moss - the plants probably won't like it but at least it's chicken safe.

 

[zenstarling]

I personally wouldn't feel comfortable using that (as it has perlite), though not sure how harmful it is/isn't. Can you get plain top soil, with nothing added at all, instead? Or 100% peat moss - the plants probably won't like it but at least it's chicken safe.

thanks for your thoughts! yes I could grow them in something else for sure.