Feeding our baby chicks!

[JazzyLoo]

We are new to raising baby chicks. Our chicks are 4 days old and we are checking to see if we are feeding them correctly. We have 8 chicks and are feeding them chick crumble. Can we leave the feed in there around the clock and is there anything we can feed them for a treat yet?

 

[sealer39]

Chick starter is all they need. No treats. At that age they’ll probably be scared of a meal worm anyway.

 

[JazzyLoo]

Thank you so much. Am I ok with leaving the. Feed in their around the clock?

 

[Evanloveschickens]

Thank you so much. Am I ok with leaving the. Feed in their around the clock?

Yes you have to. They must have unlimited access to food and water at all times.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

You are feeding them exactly what they need at this age.

And yes, leave the food in at all times. (24/7)

 

[JazzyLoo]

Yes you have to. They must have unlimited access to food and water at all times.

Thank you. Can I ask you when do I stop leaving food in with them at all times? I’ve been told not to leave them an endless amount of food because they will get to big and not be able to walk?

 

[viennaproto]

You are doing a great job! When they get older, my chickens LOVE meal worms. They also love to forage so I would sprinkle them on the grass and let the cuties enjoy them!

 

[sealer39]

Thank you. Can I ask you when do I stop leaving food in with them at all times? I’ve been told not to leave them an endless amount of food because they will get to big and not be able to walk?

That may be true with meat birds but I’ve never raised them to know. If you have regular chickens they will eat what they need. I have always free fed my chickens and I don’t recall one ever getting fat.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Can I ask you when do I stop leaving food in with them at all times? I’ve been told not to leave them an endless amount of food because they will get to big and not be able to walk?

Most chickens can self regulate so you don't have to restrict food intake. That said, I stop leaving food out overnight once they're about 4-5 weeks old, as they'd be moved into the coop at that point, and I don't want to attract rodents.