I found out, by accident while nursing a 'slow' chick, that they LOVE a warm mash made of their own grower crumbles.
Take a small amount of the starter feed and mix with hot tap water. It will soak in after a minute or two. The crumbles work better, or pellets. The mash takes longer to absorb the water. Don't make it too watery, you want it to kind of stand up on its own. Check temp - they like it just warm. I put it on the lid of a plastic container so they can get to it, but it stays somewhat contained. Two chicks will only need a tablespoon or so on the smaller lid of, say, a yogurt container.
I have done this with all chicks I have raised since and it turns into a bedtime ritual. Be careful of what you start, though. They never forget. I have 3 and 4 year old chickens who still RUN and DIVE into their wet mash treat. It is kind of funny because it is just their own food in a wet warm form! Though, as they get older, a handful of scratch is easier and just as welcomed, as their pre-roost treat.
Take a small amount of the starter feed and mix with hot tap water. It will soak in after a minute or two. The crumbles work better, or pellets. The mash takes longer to absorb the water. Don't make it too watery, you want it to kind of stand up on its own. Check temp - they like it just warm. I put it on the lid of a plastic container so they can get to it, but it stays somewhat contained. Two chicks will only need a tablespoon or so on the smaller lid of, say, a yogurt container.
I have done this with all chicks I have raised since and it turns into a bedtime ritual. Be careful of what you start, though. They never forget. I have 3 and 4 year old chickens who still RUN and DIVE into their wet mash treat. It is kind of funny because it is just their own food in a wet warm form! Though, as they get older, a handful of scratch is easier and just as welcomed, as their pre-roost treat.
