Grass

[Countryman101]

I read a post about digging up a clump of grass for the baby chicks. I was wondering what everyones opinion are about it.

 

[FrostRanger]

It's a great way to start building their immune system plus, it's fun for them. Just make sure to give them chick grit beforehand

 

[Apis mellifera]

I've always gave chicks a clump of dirt with grass, the idea is they get beneficial microorganisms to help build immune systems. The only risk would be coccidiosis which I never had chicks die from whether they were raised by hen or in a brooder.

 

[FeatherAndBloom]

Similar question so I’m popping it in here- are outside sticks safe for the brooder? Same type of positive exposure? I made them some perches using cut branches from my yard. Was thinking a little clump of dirt would be good. Chicks are 1.5-2.5 weeks old.

 

[FrostRanger]

Similar question so I’m popping it in here- are outside sticks safe for the brooder? Same type of positive exposure? I made them some perches using cut branches from my yard. Was thinking a little clump of dirt would be good. Chicks are 1.5-2.5 weeks old.

Totally fine, they would be around all that stuff with their mother anyways

 

[Ridgerunner]

I read a post about digging up a clump of grass for the baby chicks. I was wondering what everyones opinion are about it.

I do that a bit differently, no clumps of grass but I feed them dirt. To me benefits are they get grit from the dirt if there are small bits of rock in it and they get started on flock immunities if there is anything in your ground they need to work on. I take my dirt from the adult's run so they also get the benefit of any probiotics the adults have to share.

From the clump of grass they will eat the grass and get some benefits from that. I don't consider that necessary but it will not hurt them as long as they have grit to grind it up on their gizzard.

My opinion is that it is one way to get their bodies started at getting set up the way they are supposed to be.

 

[Countryman101]

I do that a bit differently, no clumps of grass but I feed them dirt. To me benefits are they get grit from the dirt if there are small bits of rock in it and they get started on flock immunities if there is anything in your ground they need to work on. I take my dirt from the adult's run so they also get the benefit of any probiotics the adults have to share.

From the clump of grass they will eat the grass and get some benefits from that. I don't consider that necessary but it will not hurt them as long as they have grit to grind it up on their gizzard.

My opinion is that it is one way to get their bodies started at getting set up the way they are supposed to be.

What age do you start it.. can you start it as soon as you get the babies

 

[Ridgerunner]

I typically start a small amount of dirt on Day 2 or 3 in the brooder and then a bit more every 3 or 4 days. A small amount so they can't fill up on it and regularly so it can help them develop certain immunities.

 

[Countryman101]

I typically start a small amount of dirt on Day 2 or 3 in the brooder and then a bit more every 3 or 4 days. A small amount so they can't fill up on it and regularly so it can help them develop certain immunities.

Thank you

 

[rosemarythyme]

What age do you start it.. can you start it as soon as you get the babies

Yes you can start right away - only caveat is if you have Mareks concerns and have vaccinated chicks, it needs 10-14 days for the vaccine to fully take effect, so some folks wait that period before exposing the chicks to anything from outdoors.

As I brood directly on the run floor the chicks have full access to dirt, litter, half composted adult chicken poop, etc. as soon as I get them at 2-3 days old. They do put everything in their mouths, but as long as they mainly eat their feed instead of dirt and litter it's not a problem.