Feed question for one week old chicks

[silkiemama002]

Hey guys!

I have three one week old silkies and I am a first timer owning chickens. (Although my dad has some at home, so I know a little!)

I have been researching so much I have my head spinning LOL.

I have them on a chick starter crumble and I brought them some mealworms that I was hoping to grind up a couple to give them to share. (I did this knowing I might have to hold off for a couple of months, which is no biggie)

Then I read about them needing grit. So I bought some grit, which just arrived and turns out the one I got is just for layers LOL.

So now I’m wondering whether their starter crumbles - which contains limestone - is enough for the lil peepers grit wise, and if they can have a couple of mealworms ground up between them or if it is going to upset their little digestive systems?

I know I’m probably being overly cautious but better safe than sorry

Thanks so much as always for all your help! I love this community for the support and help it’s given to this newbie

Pic for cuteness

 

[Perris]

I brought them some mealworms that I was hoping to grind up a couple to give them to share. (I did this knowing I might have to hold off for a couple of months

You don't need to grind them. My day olds are perfectly capable of eating an inch long live mealworm - or ten! It's a real feeding frenzy.

So I bought some grit, which just arrived and turns out the one I got is just for layers LOL.

If you either put them outside on ground with some cover and some bare soil, they will find their own grit. Alternatively, dig up a clump of soil plus whatever's growing on it, and put it in the brooder for them to explore, forage, and find suitably sized grit within.

These are being shown what to do by their broody; you do the same by tapping with your finger where the mealworms are.

 

[silkiemama002]

You don't need to grind them. My day olds are perfectly capable of eating an inch long live mealworm - or ten! It's a real feeding frenzy.

If you either put them outside on ground with some cover and some bare soil, they will find their own grit. Alternatively, dig up a clump of soil plus whatever's growing on it, and put it in the brooder for them to explore, forage, and find suitably sized grit within.
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These are being shown what to do by their broody; you do the same by tapping with your finger where the mealworms are.

This is awesome thank you! I am so afraid of doing something wrong it’s silly I read about digging up a bit of dirt but I didn’t know if it was ok because they are so small. Its only anout 20°c atm here in Sydney in the day so I don’t know if that’s going to be warm enough to be outside.

Although I’ll dig the dirt and will give this a go tomorrow as well as a couple of mealworms! Thank you!

 

[RoyalChick]

The word grit is used in different ways in different countries.
There are two types.
One is little stones that they eat and they sit in the gizzard and grind up the food. Babies must have some of this grit if they eat anything other than the chick starter. You can buy chick sized grit in bags, or as @Perris says, they can find it for themselves if you give them access to soil.
The second kind of grit dissolves in the digestive system (no help in grinding up food), and is a source of calcium. It is often chips of oyster shell. Only laying hens need this. They use it to make strong egg shells.
It sounds like what you got was the second kind.
Hope that helps. Enjoy your chicks!

 

[SueT]

There is chick grit. You can get a small bag.
My mama hens take their day old babies outside and I'm amazed at what they eat! I sprinkle chick grit around to make it easier for them to find what they need.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I am so afraid of doing something wrong it’s silly

That's not silly. You don't know so ask. Silly would be hurting them because you were afraid to ask.

I read about digging up a bit of dirt but I didn’t know if it was ok because they are so small. Its only anout 20°c atm here in Sydney in the day so I don’t know if that’s going to be warm enough to be outside.

20 C is 68 F. A broody hen would have them out in much colder temperatures scratching around for food and grit. Watch them and take them inside when they start to act cold. As long as they are running around they are fine. When they stand still, fluff up, and give a plaintive peep they are cold. It should be fairly obvious but err on the side of caution.

So now I’m wondering whether their starter crumbles - which contains limestone - is enough for the lil peepers grit wise,

Limestone is probably there to provide calcium. They don't need much calcium but they do need a little. It is probably ground to a powder so it would be no good for the type of grit to grind things up in the gizzard. Besides, it will dissolve in their digestive juices since those juices are acidic. So no, limestone will not work for that.

 

[Buckeye Amy]

Your peeps are adorable! Parakeet grit will also work for chicks.

 

[silkiemama002]

Thanks so much guys! I bought some fine shell grit from the pet store and ground it up a little more since they’re so small!

Hopefully they’ll be good with that! Thanks so much for your answers and kindness… always love how helpful and friendly this site is!!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thanks so much guys! I bought some fine shell grit from the pet store and ground it up a little more since they’re so small!

Don't use "shell grit," that's likely for calcium. The ideal grit would be granite - but any hard stone (i.e. no sandstone, limestone, etc) should work fine.