Growth spirt?

[ashyndin]

I have 15 chicks, they are all mix breeds. I had them in a brooder in the house until they were 4 weeks then moved them to the interior coop for 1 more weeks. On Saturday I opened the door to the coop and let them explore the run for the first time. I am feeding them chick starter still with millet. From Saturday to tonight I have noticed a massive growth spirt in all of the chicks. The have gained so much weight and so much mass that they don't even look like the same chicks. Is this normal? Common sense tells me that it is because they are eating all day long since they are in the run but they had food available all day everyday so that cant be it. Could it be the introduction of bugs and such?

 

[pichuris]

It sounds about right. Brooders we can control what they eat. I think you are right. Once they are outside its fair game for wandering spider or bugs. Its like little kids on an icecream truck. lol If everyone appears to be fine and no one is sick I think the little guys and/or gals are just fine. Enjoy!