Dust baths for chicks

[cochinbantam-lover]

Hey, Was just wondering what chicks could safely dust bathe in, it seems as if they want to. I've seen them in the spilled feed on the floor. I bought some plain sandbox sand, do they like that to play in or is it just used for grit. My chicks already have grit I got from Murray McMurray.

Thankyou!

 

[annek]

I mix sand with just our soil and put it in with my chicks, they like to scratch in it and dust bath in it. I also hide treats in it for them to keep them entertained.

 

[cochinbantam-lover]

Quote:
Oh how fun is that, hidden treats? What kind of treats to you give them?

Thanks!

 

[Rex Mom]

Not sure how old your chicks are... mine are almost 7 weeks and I've been leaving them outside during the day... and they love to do the dust bath thing in the dirt... it's so funny to watch! I'm not sure about younger chicks.. like three week olds or so. I love how instinctual they are... ingraved in that DNA to scratch, peck, and do the dust bath thing!

 

[annek]

Quote:
Oh how fun is that, hidden treats? What kind of treats to you give them?

Thanks!

Depends what I have on hand. So far I have chopped up broccoli, strawberries, blueberries, celery (not their favorite), raspberries. I have given them quartered cantaloupe, bananna's, apples (no seeds), peaches, and today they had corn on the cob! I also give them frozen peas and corn (defrosted of course). Oh, I also give them boiled eggs.

They look forward to seeing me and what treat they will have for the day! Getting them much friendlier. Mine are 8 weeks old now. I was more careful about what they ate when they were younger. I do put their crumbles over the treat with the sand and mix it up so it isn't sticky. They always drop it in the wood chips and I am more careful about that since i lost one to impacted crop. Also make sure you are giving some grit too.

 

[cochinbantam-lover]

Quote:
Oh how fun is that, hidden treats? What kind of treats to you give them?

Thanks!

Depends what I have on hand. So far I have chopped up broccoli, strawberries, blueberries, celery (not their favorite), raspberries. I have given them quartered cantaloupe, bananna's, apples (no seeds), peaches, and today they had corn on the cob! I also give them frozen peas and corn (defrosted of course). Oh, I also give them boiled eggs.

They look forward to seeing me and what treat they will have for the day! Getting them much friendlier. Mine are 8 weeks old now. I was more careful about what they ate when they were younger. I do put their crumbles over the treat with the sand and mix it up so it isn't sticky. They always drop it in the wood chips and I am more careful about that since i lost one to impacted crop. Also make sure you are giving some grit too.

You must have some spoiled chickies there. My babies are just one week and a day old so can I start with yogurt, brocolli or what would suggest?
Thanks

 

[littlebowpeeps]

I keep hearing about making your chicks more friendly by feeding them treats- so far, it's hasn't worked for me. My chicks get all kinds of treats and I go out to check on them several times each day and try to get them used to me. Every time they see me coming, they hide and don't come out until I get out of their run. So I don't know. It's kind of frustrating though!

 

[annek]

At one week I would only feed chopped up boiled egg. They will love it and you don't have to worry about grit. I would wait until they are 3-4 weeks old to start with other things. Be sure to chop it up fine so they don't carry it away and drop it. I had 12 chicks and fed in 2 dishes so all would get some. My leghorns are pigs and wouldn't let the RIR eat.

Mine are still in the house so I have a captive audience. That may be a reason why they are so receptive to me. There is no where to run to!

 

[cochinbantam-lover]

Quote:
OK I'll make them some egg for them

Do you use the whole egg or just the yolk? How many chicks do you have?

 

[annek]

At first I only used the egg yolk, then I ended up with tons of egg white that I threw away so I figured too bad they can eat that too. They prefer the yellow but I gave them both chopped up fine. I would feed one to 12 birds when they were that age. In one to two weeks, cook up some broccoli or whatever, chop it up in a food processor, mix it up in your sand and keep them entertained for a few hours! It initially will take them a few hours to figure out the routine but now anything I put in the sandbox they go hunting for. Wonder if this would work on kids?