Herbs for Chicks?

[The Ballet Chicken]

Hi, I was wondering if you could put herbs in the brooder, water, and feed to help the smell, fight diseases and what not. I have some dried lav and cham and other fresh.

 

[waddlehead]

I use the scratch and peck herbs with awesome success. I am on my 3rd hatch with no issues or sickness yet.. I think as long as you are conscious of the properties of the herbs you should be fine. Just don't go adding things like boneset and you should be just fine..

 

[The Ballet Chicken]

Thank you! Also can I use dirt from my backyard as grit?

 

[aart]

I like rosemary and sage, but only when cooking them.
Seriously, herbage is more for the keeper than the chickens.
The chicks just need a good balanced chick starter ration and plain fresh water.

Best to get granite grit.
http://www.jupefeeds-sa.com/documents/GraniteGrit.pdf.
I bought about a 2 gallon bag of granite grit from the local mill, they put it in their chicken scratch. Ran it thru a colander with 1/16" holes. Bagged the smaller stuff for the chicks and sprinkle some over a chunk of sod in the brooder during the second week.