Couple questions about 3 week old chicks from newbie

[Heathermbm]

Hello, we are new to chickens and bought 4 chicks of about 2 weeks old last week. I have one concern and one question (haha for right now).

1. Concern: I’ve found blood in their brooder a few times (starting the day after we brought them home). They were in one of those large rubber storage boxes for about 6 days and then we made them a much larger brooder. So I don’t know if it’s stress related or what. They are all acting fine, playing, running around, eating/drinking, sleeping. Any thoughts on this?

2. Question: about grit. We bought the chick grit and put some in low Tupperware thing. I know they need the grit for having treats, I would like to give them some small chunks of watermelon (with rind on it). Do I wait till I see evidence that they have eaten some of the grit (sort of difficult to see) or is it okay to give them some of the melon as long as the grit is available?

Thank you!

 

[CannedMonster]

You can give them the melon. They will probably eat a little grit when you’re not around to see it. Just keep providing it. You may have to convince them the melon is something good to eat. Unfortunately us humans aren’t able to make the tidbitting sounds momma hens make so the chicks are less likely to understand what things are good to eat. Try pulling tiny chunks off to offer them.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I think you're good to offer the melon. It's pretty soft and easy to eat.

As far as seeing blood, if everyone's acting fine, I wouldn't worry too much about it, but snap a photo if you happen to see any more. Possibilities: a chick hurt itself, bled a little, and is fine now. Or if it's in the poop, it could be coccidiosis (bad) or intestinal lining (normal).

 

[Heathermbm]

Okay, I have some melon in, I put a little of their food on top to see if that attracts them to it. Because 3 out of 4 still run and hide in a corner (and stand perfectly still I find hilarious but I guess if I was a hawk I might not see them if they don’t move ).
Thank you for your quick responses.

 

[CannedMonster]

Okay, I have some melon in, I put a little of their food on top to see if that attracts them to it. Because 3 out of 4 still run and hide in a corner (and stand perfectly still I find hilarious but I guess if I was a hawk I might not see them if they don’t move ).
Thank you for your quick responses.

If you consider that our chickens ancestors were birds that eat a tremendous variety of things (including venomous snakes, etc) then you realize why their instincts drive them to be so cautious. What could be good to eat could also kill you. An important lesson for all predators.