Earthworms for chicks?

[shandiane78]

Hi, my chicks are 3-5 days old. My daughter was playing outside yesterday and collected some earthworms for them (pretty small ones). I thought, why not? She put them into the brooder and OMG! The chicks had a wild feeding frenzy, including many games of keep away! Is there any reason they should not have earthworms? I was thinking maybe the grit is included in this treat (the dirt inside the worms?). Should I smash up some of the regular grit and give them the tiny pieces? Do they need grit to grind up earthworms?

Thanks!

 

[cuckoo_orpington13]

You may want some grit just so they can digest it properly. I don't think the worms carry their own grit.

 

[Morgan7782]

I just gave my foursome a earthworm on Sunday. I cut it into four pieces, just to be even, but they were SCARED of it at first. Walking over VERY cautiously, pecking it, wiping their beaks, and running away whenever it wiggled. Finally, one of my Barred Rocks grabbed a piece and went RUNNING. The only thing they have other then that is their chick starter, and they seem to be doing fine. Also, I let mine out when it is WARM, and they find grit all over my backyard.

 

[Renie'sPeeps]

You need to do some checking.. seems like I remember reading somewhere... that earth worms actually carry parasites that are transfered to your chickens when they are eaten.

renie

 

[dntd]

Earth worms are not good for chicks, they can cause illness. I would wait until they are much older for such treats when thier body can fight possible illnesses.

 

[Jeeper1540]

i wouldnt give them to chick, but when thay are adults, go ahead! its a big show. you drop one, a chicken grabs it, and then every other chicken in the coop chases them!

 

[chickintexas]

I give my chicks mealworms that I pick up from the pet store. Now that's a show! I'll let them handle any earthworms they find on their own when they become free range. Ewww!

 

[shandiane78]

Hmm, sounds like some mixed opinions. I guess there is risk of getting a parasite, if the earthworm has ingested the egg of one. But isn't this a normal risk or being outside pecking around in the dirt?

 

[PunkinPeep]

Quote:
Yes, earthworms can carry the gapeworm parasite - or its larva - into your chicken. And as you suggested, you're not going to keep free ranging chickens from eating them. It seems to me that the actual risk of gapeworm is pretty small - just from my own experience of always free ranging and never having a gapeworm problem. Also, should gapeworm come up, it is easily remedied with oral ivermectin (or so i've read).

Personally, i would keep giving them the worms and enjoy the show. The protein will be great for them.

If it's warm enough around your place, you could also start taking them outside for field trips, and they could start picking up some of their own grit.