Entertainment and treats for week old chicks.

[BigBlueHen53]

Watch out for cardboard and newspaper though. When wet those can be slick, possibly leading to splay leg.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I set up their "play area" at the foot of my bed for tonight, but they aren't using the brooder plate just huddling together at the other end of the pen. Should I put them under it so they know what it's for?

Yes. No harm in picking them up, tucking them under it so they realize it's warm there, and then letting them decide where they want to be after that.

I already have a lover in the bunch. She's (I'm assuming they're all female until I find out otherwise) always first to the door, happily eats from my hand even roosts on it a bit.

Assuming you only want girls, crossing my fingers that she's just friendly and not a boy!

 

[redinator]

What a good idea. I'm checking in to this puppy pee pad angle! Thx

I was using the puppy pads in layers so I could remove them if they got too nasty throughout the day. The brooder I had was supposedly good for up to 15 chicks (my backside) they're a week old and with the waterer and feeder they barely had room to stretch their wings without smacking each other. Now they're in the larger pen by my bed and have plenty of room to stretch.

 

[redinator]

Oh and as for snacks: at one week I add a little dish of grit. Three days later I sprinkle a few mealworms around on the floor of the brooder as I call, Here chickies! I am training them to come when called, as I will call them the rest of their lives. That's the only reason for treats, in my mind. To gather the flock so I can look them over.

I tried the meal worms, but they didn't seem to care for them. I did find out they love cheese by accident. I was eatting a sandwhich after cleaning their pen, they were loose in my room running around getting some excersise, and some cheese fell on the floor and my sweet little chicks turned into a vicious mob. I took the rest of the cheese off my sandwhich and hand feed them, even the one that never eats from my hand grabbed a piece.

This happened after they were about 3 weeks old and had been outside a few times and having grit and eatting grass so figured it was pretty safe as a treat. Now when I need them to cooperate (go back in the pen, stand still for a picture) I use a bit of cheese, lol.

 

[BackyardinWales]

I thought dairy was harmful to chicks. Am I wrong?

 

[redinator]

I thought dairy was harmful to chicks. Am I wrong?

I didn't know, they haven't had any issues with it.

I only started giving it after they'd been in the yard eating God knows what, mostly grass and clover and some grit to aid digestion. It's still too cold for most bugs. They were roughly 3 weeks old at that time.

They only get small bits of shredded cheese when I'm luring them so I can grab them, or to hold still for a picture. It isn't a regular, or even daily, treat.

I looked it up and you are correct, this is from a google search

>>While some chicken owners offer small amounts of dairy as treats, it's generally not recommended to feed chicks dairy products as they can have difficulty digesting lactose and may experience digestive issues.

>>Here's a more detailed explanation:

• Lactose Intolerance:

Chickens, like many other animals, are lactose intolerant, meaning they lack the necessary enzymes to digest lactose, the sugar found in dairy.

• Digestive Issues:

Feeding chicks dairy can lead to digestive problems like diarrhea and bloating.

• Alternatives:

If you're looking for protein and calcium sources, consider feeding chicks mealworms for protein and oyster shells for calcium.

• Moderation:

If you choose to offer dairy treats, do so in very small amounts and only after the chicks are a few weeks old.

• Focus on Chick Feed:

Ensure that chicks are primarily fed a high-quality, well-formulated chick feed for optimal health and growth.

I'll be looking for an alternative, thank you.

 

[BackyardinWales]

I didn't know, they haven't had any issues with it.

I only started giving it after they'd been in the yard eating God knows what, mostly grass and clover and some grit to aid digestion. It's still too cold for most bugs. They were roughly 3 weeks old at that time.

They only get small bits of shredded cheese when I'm luring them so I can grab them, or to hold still for a picture. It isn't a regular, or even daily, treat.

I looked it up and you are correct, this is from a google search

>>While some chicken owners offer small amounts of dairy as treats, it's generally not recommended to feed chicks dairy products as they can have difficulty digesting lactose and may experience digestive issues.

>>Here's a more detailed explanation:

• Lactose Intolerance:

Chickens, like many other animals, are lactose intolerant, meaning they lack the necessary enzymes to digest lactose, the sugar found in dairy.

• Digestive Issues:

Feeding chicks dairy can lead to digestive problems like diarrhea and bloating.

• Alternatives:

If you're looking for protein and calcium sources, consider feeding chicks mealworms for protein and oyster shells for calcium.

• Moderation:

If you choose to offer dairy treats, do so in very small amounts and only after the chicks are a few weeks old.

• Focus on Chick Feed:

Ensure that chicks are primarily fed a high-quality, well-formulated chick feed for optimal health and growth.

I'll be looking for an alternative, thank you.

Thank you. I never knew why, I just ask Google every time I have something for the girls if it's safe. Just just told me 'don't touch dairy'. So thank you for the extra information, though it was a very clever I wish I'd known for catching them and photos. Hope you can find something that works as efficiently.

Mine come running at any chance of food, but run if I try to catch them lol.

 

[redinator]

Thank you. I never knew why, I just ask Google every time I have something for the girls if it's safe. Just just told me 'don't touch dairy'. So thank you for the extra information, though it was a very clever I wish I'd known for catching them and photos. Hope you can find something that works as efficiently.

Mine come running at any chance of food, but run if I try to catch them lol.

Mine will come for food but then chase whoever got the first bite, even though I have a handful waiting for them. The shredded cheese I could dangle a bit and get them to hold still and reach for it. I tried this with the mealworms, but they didn't seem to care for them.

Another method I've used is distracting them with one hand and grab with the other, this is getting harder as they get bigger and wiser to my tricks.

 

[BackyardinWales]

Mine will come for food but then chase whoever got the first bite, even though I have a handful waiting for them. The shredded cheese I could dangle a bit and get them to hold still and reach for it. I tried this with the mealworms, but they didn't seem to care for them.

Another method I've used is distracting them with one hand and grab with the other, this is getting harder as they get bigger and wiser to my tricks.

Yeah, they are flighty aren't they.

 

[redinator]

I just figured I'd update this with a bit of chicks news. My 5 6-week old chicks have been outside about 5/6 days now. I've been adding various items to their run for entertainment and exercise. I repurposed some old dog agility equipment into roost bars and put out a tunnel for them to play in, but the thing that seemed to entertain them the most and initiated a game of chick tag was a dropped bottle cap, lol. Reminds me of when I had cats, who didn't care about the new cat toy, but wanted the box to play in. Ya, gotta love it!

BTW, they are scared to death of tennis balls for some reason. I thought it would pass if I left it in there, but they avoid it like the plague, and God help them if it moves! I removed it when I realized they would never like it.