feeding worms to chicks?

[steve&kris]

Hi, I have a couple questions about my week old chicks if anyone can help me out.....

1. Can I give them earthworms yet along with their chick starter? (I gave them a small one and they LOVED it and ran all around the brooder chasing each other for it....awesome)
2. If they can have worms, is it a problem that they're in pine chips? I was worried that with pieces of pine chips sticking to the worm they could ingest it while eating the worm. They also keep scratching pine up into their feeder and I have the same worry there.
3. If I give them earthworms do I need to give them grit, and if so can the grit just go right in with the pine chips, or do I put it in a bowl or what?

thanks!!!!

Steve

 

[Sinfonian]

I gave a tiny worm to my chicks of 4 days old and they did the same as you wrote, with the alpha getting it. 20 minutes later my 7 year old comes and tells me in the shower that the bird is laying on its side, not moving. It was fine when I got out, but needless to say, they won't get worms until they've got feathers and are moved outside to the coop around 2 months.

 

[steve&kris]

Thanks for the advice. Mine didn't have a problem that I noticed, but who knows when I wasn't watching. Unless I find out differently, I'll go the cautious route and not let them have any more. Thanks!