How long should I wait to feed my chickens 'treats' from the garden?

[Zonoma]

They are less than a week right now and on Chick Starter but at what age can I begin to give them 'treats' like worms, lettuces, and fruits?

 

[panner123]

I give them at about 5 weeks.

 

[Zonoma]

Thanks, panner!

 

[dsqard]

I have read that you can start giving them treats around two weeks old as long as they have access to grit or dirt. If you want to give them something softer like yogurt, then they don't need the grit. Just remember that you are talking about "treats" so it should not be a whole bunch so that they are eating more of the feed than treats.

 

[Zonoma]

Thank you, ds. Very helpful! They have access to grit and are eating VERY well (who knew chicks could eat so much!?!).

 

[angidee]

I do yogurt when they are a couple weeks old.
I do a little bit every other day or so, so they learn that I bring them yummies and start coming running when they see me. I raise too many at one time to handle each and every one daily, so I have found this is a great way to make them friendly. I may have more than a handful of chickens, but I still want them to be just as friendly as if I only had 3.

 

[Zonoma]

I've started giving them tomatos (4? weeks old) every third day or so. I just cut it in half and lay it in the box. It's a feeding frenzy and they suddenly LOVE the color red.

 

[debid]

Mine were catching bugs at one week because they're outside and the bugs came to them

I figured it was fine -- mama hen would have them out by that age! So, it's really just a matter of whether you want to offer soft treats, small grit and treats that require grit, or whether you prefer to wait. There is no "right" answer.