Did my kids mess up? Watermelon and chicks

[Yard full o' rocks]

Well....we had a housefull of kids (not all ours) yesterday and DW cut watermelon for everyone. My boys, knowing the chickens like watermelon took the rinds in to the "big chickens" and also to my 6 week old chicks. By the time I knew about it, there was literally nothing left but some skin. I think I have seen on BYC that we shouldnt give treats to chicks for X amount of time. Did my kids mess up? Anything I should be watching for? These are chicks I really want to grow out (BBS Rocks from Halo and Columbian Rocks)....help??!! Thanks

 

[CoopCrazy]

They should be fine... I would just watch for diahrea and maybe add some electrolytes if they do develop any...

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Quote:
THANK YOU.....I love that my kids want to be involved (I really do)....sometimes, just wish they would ASK first....uggghhh

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

No I don't think you need to worry...six weeks old they should be old enough to be able to handle any type of treats now. Are you still giving them the chick starter? If not I would give them some grit too if you treat them with goodies.
I know how visiting kids can go, one of our visitors during my son's grad party broke one of my bantam cochins hip

We had to put her down. I wasn't watching close enough, had so many visitors...I guess I should have locked the runs up.

 

[CoopCrazy]

No problem at 6 Weeks mine were already eating everything the big girls ate ( ie anything left over) and still are fine... I worried more about my lil guys like under 4 weeks.. Good luck with your lil ones..

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

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Yes....still using chick starter. Was told I should until they started laying (No??)....they have access to a 10x10 run so I think they can pick up sand grit if need be, right? Thanks for the help!!!!!

 

[harewizard]

Here is a list of treats that are OK and Not Ok. It may help you in the future.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart

BTW, they should be fine! They may have some "D", so make sure they stay hydrated with plenty of fresh water.

 

[AHappychick]

Yard full o' rocks :

Quote:
Yes....still using chick starter. Was told I should until they started laying (No??)....they have access to a 10x10 run so I think they can pick up sand grit if need be, right? Thanks for the help!!!!!

they can pick up grit but it would be good to buy a bag and give a feeder of it as free choice, abig bag will last a long time and is not expensive.

they love treats esp watermelon, that age is good to go

 

[Judy]

Granite grit is really much more useful for them than sand, grinds food better. But I would think there would be fine granite pieces on your property, not just sand, considering where you live.

Watermelon is mostly water, anyway.

 

[kristen2678]

The watermelon is fine. Adding a little grit or sand can't hurt. I think everyone does things slightly different depending on the make up of their flock but - Generally it is chick starter until 8 weeks, grower until 20 weeks or the first egg whichever comes first, then layer. We use blue seal feed and love it.