How much food and when to start

[Aleee44]

My two chicks are finally living in their coop outside (9weeks)
They were too big for the brooder and kept trying ti escape.
I still have them on chicken feed but I wanted to know when its appropriate for me to give them other foods
and if so how much? I know fruits and veggies and even eggs are good for them but I don't want them to
get sick if i start too early.

Out of topic.
They will not go to their hutch a night time, they just scream like crazy so i have to go in there and scoop them in
Any advice on how they can learn to go alone?

 

[junebuggena]

You can start giving chicks treats at any time really, you just need to be sure to give them grit too. Treats should not be more than 10% of their daily diet. To get them used to going into the coop at night, they must first learn that the coop is 'home.' Put them in the coop and don't let them out for a couple days, then let them have access to their run. The first couple nights, you will still need to help them into the coop, but they should start to get the hang of things in a week or two.

 

[Blooie]

The answer to your first question is also the answer to your second question. They are more than ready for some treats - just make sure they have access to some chick grit or just plain dirt outdoors. Then you can give them lots of different things - in moderation! - including bits of fruits and veggies, sunflower seeds, hardboiled or scrambled eggs, mealworms, and good old chicken scratch. Mine go nuts for leftover rib bones as well - those things are picked cleaner than you can even imagine when they are done with them. But do be sensible. Treats are for once in awhile, especially while their little bodies are still maturing. Pick a little pail or bucket and always use that when you take treats out to them. Shake it and say something to get their attention. Soon whenever they hear that word and see that pail, they'll come running.

Now that you've got their interest, use the treats to get them to go into the coop at night. Let them see that you have something, let them see you put some down just inside the coop, and when they're in there close the coop door. I'd leave them in the coop for a few days until they get the idea that that's where they are supposed to go. Then you can start letting them back into the run and use the temptation of stuff they love to reinforce going in on their own. You won't need to do that for long. Pretty soon as the sun gets ready to set they'll head on in all by themselves. You can also use the same method to get them to go back into the run or coop if they've been foraging out in the yard for a bit.

Again, moderation is key. And I just finished typing this when I saw Junebuggena's response.

 

[Aleee44]

Thank you! They can get out just fine into their run in the mornings when i let them out, they get it. Not so much about going back up at night time, they just scream like crazies.

 

[Aleee44]

Uunfortunately I cannot put them in there for a couple days because its so hot.