⠀ how long until treats

[minichicks05]

How long do you have to wait for chicks to have treats and when they can how many servings?
Thank you -Kate

 

[JetCat]

depending on the treat, if you give them chick grit at hatch they can have mealworms as soon as they start eating.

 

[Johnaloha]

THX!!! I've been wondering about that too.

 

[Pork Pie]

It's good remember that treats should constitute no more than 10% of total diet. This is just a personal preference, but I don't give my chicks any treats as the proprietary chick feed gives them a healthy, balanced diet without the need for additions. - gosh i sound like a real grumpy old man!

All the best

CT

 

[JetCat]

...... gosh i sound like a real grumpy old man!

giving baby chicks mealworms and watching them hold it in their beak and run wild trying to make sure no other chick can take it away before they find somewhere secluded to swallow can make even the grumpiest old man chuckle a little.

 

[Pork Pie]

 

[minichicks05]

Thank you again!!!!

 

[JetCat]

Thank you again!!!!

 

[DrPatrickBiggs]

I would recommend that you wait until the chicks are laying eggs before you provide them with treats. Getting the birds to grow at the proper rate and develop the correct bone structure is key to long-term health and productivity. When you feed treats, you are diluting the nutrients in the animal's feed. If you disrupt the growth rate of the chicks early on in life, those issues get amplified as they age. Treats tend to be high in energy (think candy to children). When the birds eat the treats, they eat less of their regular diet, thus decreasing the amount of nutrition the birds are getting for growth and development. If you are going to feed treats, then limit it to less than 10% of the birds diet to minimize the impact on nutrition.