Clump of grass with dirt in it.

[NightsInWhiteSilkies]

Quote:
Crop is unable to empty solids into gizzard, usually because of some sort of solid blocks progression. Many folks have problems with vegetative plant materials which I think is caused by birds not be used to such in diet and / or inadequate amounts of grit in diet. I have also had similar problem with intact grains from scratch being ingested in too large amounts by young game chickens while dominiques can eat exact same diet and not get impacted crop.

As a treat two more options to consider, meal worms and frozen fish like smelt that is finely chopped. Such when offered by hand provide exceptional opportunity for training. Several of my birds will respond to their name even as adults and will fly 20 feet for such treats.

Great info! Thankyou!
Ive been giving them hydrated worms, flax seed,pumpkin seed and sunflower seed but I put it in an expresso grinder and turned it into paste so it was very minute crumbles.
I wonder would putting the grass,spinach,green veggies in the grinder if it will grind up work too just to give them some nutrients of greens but finely crushed up in the expresso machine so it wont affect their crop?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
Crop is unable to empty solids into gizzard, usually because of some sort of solid blocks progression. Many folks have problems with vegetative plant materials which I think is caused by birds not be used to such in diet and / or inadequate amounts of grit in diet. I have also had similar problem with intact grains from scratch being ingested in too large amounts by young game chickens while dominiques can eat exact same diet and not get impacted crop.

As a treat two more options to consider, meal worms and frozen fish like smelt that is finely chopped. Such when offered by hand provide exceptional opportunity for training. Several of my birds will respond to their name even as adults and will fly 20 feet for such treats.

Great info! Thankyou!
Ive been giving them hydrated worms, flax seed,pumpkin seed and sunflower seed but I put it in an expresso grinder and turned it into paste so it was very minute crumbles.
I wonder would putting the grass,spinach,green veggies in the grinder if it will grind up work too just to give them some nutrients of greens but finely crushed up in the expresso machine so it wont affect their crop?

You want to be careful to not dilute your protein content too much as you add treats like greens/grains when it comes to chicks. So if you add greens keep it small IMO.

Actually treats are good, but too many treats especially lower in protein can be a detriment when they are little. I am sure you will figure it all out and give them an excellent diet from the sound of it.

Centrarchid raises a good point about grit. They surely need it with greens- I daresay even ground greens.

 

[NightsInWhiteSilkies]

Yes, I plan on getting grit without a doubt. Im going to go to a different feed store tomorrow to get de and grit.
Ive not given them any greens just yet. Im absorbing all this info to make sure the best route to go when starting out with it.
Also the nut paste Ive only given them about a tablespoon of it twice now in the past 3 days. I dont want to over do it with giving them much right now and will wait for another week or two on the greens but its really hard not too when their on my lap and hands peeping and all fuzzy looking up at me! lol....

 

[centrarchid]

Offer the chick grower as free choice to prevent imbalance of intake. Normally when they consume greens they take little snippets and only occasionally consume an intact leaf. Grinding should not be neccessary.

The mealworms and fish should be superior to you chick feed in respect to protein content.

 

[NightsInWhiteSilkies]

Quote:
I have to go to the grocery store in a bit and am going to see if they have smelt and tomorrow put a little mixed in with the dehydrated meal worms.
Im sure other beginning chicken owners will read this thread and there is alot of good info on here so you folks have been extremly helpful and Thankyou!

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
I have to go to the grocery store in a bit and am going to see if they have smelt and tomorrow put a little mixed in with the dehydrated meal worms.
Im sure other beginning chicken owners will read this thread and there is alot of good info on here so you folks have been extremly helpful and Thankyou!

Smelt is simply a very cheap treat. It is also helpful when trying to get a sick bird to consume more to keep its strength up. A sick rooster offered smelt and apple chunks eats those components before anything else. The medicated feed adheres to those wet chunks promoting intake of something bird is not inclined to eat much of alone.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I so agree. Mama would have them out and about, not more than a few days after hatch.
As far as coccidiosis goes, the whole idea is to feed them the medicated starter and at the same time expose them to soil which, if it harbors coccidia, will help the chick develop an immunity to coccidiosis. A body's immune system can't develop an immunity to something it's never been exposed to.

From: Fowlfacts.com

A mild coccidiosis infection is not very harmful and is actually necessary to create immunity in the future laying hen, if she is to live on the floor.

Preventively, drugs are given in the chicks starter and grower feed, from day-old until 12-15 weeks of age. Such drugs are called coccidiostats, because they inhibit the growth of the coccia, but leave enough coccidia alive to permit the build-up of immunity to coccidiosis in the growing pullet.

IMO, you are not doing chicks any favors by keeping them in a overly warm, overly clean brooder. Expose them in small increments to the enviroment they will eventually be living in to help them build a strong immune system ready to take on whatever life in the barnyard dishes out.

 

[gritsar]

If my broody is raising the chicks, I don't feed medicated starter. The chicks are in with the flock and being gradually exposed to coccidiosis in the soil and in the adult droppings, gaining immunity.

If I raise chicks in the brooder, I do feed medicated starter, but also get them out on the soil as soon as possible - generally by two weeks old.

Our spring and summer temps. in SW Arkansas are damp and warm and our soil is overrun with coccidia. I've yet to have a chick develop a problem with coccidiosis.

 

[drumstick diva]

Love a first sight - I LOVE Thelma. Need more pictures, lots of pictures. Love chickie pictures - please

 

[suebee]

Quote:
Totally agree. I've raised chicks w/ broodies for almost a decade. She takes them out to dirt 3rd or 4th day. I've never had a cocci problem. Only time I had cocci was my very first chicks I raised in the house. They went to outside big coop at 7 weeks...all had cocci. Give them the dirt!!