How old before feeding bugs?

[fishboy1]

I think the chicks have stabilized. They are chowing down like crazy, drinking and running about.

Was wondering how old they should be before I put anything other than chick starter, boiled egg, and yogurt in for them.

I dropped a dead bug in yesterday and it almost started a riot. A cross between keep away and professional wrestling. I had to catch the chick with the bug and take it away from it before someone got hurt.

what about rolly-polly bugs? I can get enough for everyone under some boards out by the barn.

 

[KZ]

Ha ha! That sounds fun. You are so nice to your chicks.

I figure mine can have bugs as soon as they can catch them.

By the way, I am glad to hear they are doing better!

 

[JulieNKC]

Once you start giving treats they need chick grit, or access to the ground to get their own. Other than that I don't think there is a minimum age.

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

I tried feeding my chicks an earthworm but non of them were interested in it. I thought they would have gone crazy over it but they just walked past it like it was a piece of wood shaving.

 

[StephanieD]

I have 4 two week old chicks and I let them out everyday with their broody adoptive momma. They hunt for bugs like crazy! And do manage to find some and eat them, it's fun to watch. They have been doing this for a little over a week now. They also love to take dirt baths, give em' some dirt, you'll have fun watching!

 

[fishboy1]

I think I better give them a couple more days just to make sure they are solid before giving the bugs and starting a riot.

Do I need to get special chick grit or will regular sandy/gravely dirt work?
Is it mixed in with their food or just put down where they can get it?

Thanks!

 

[JulieNKC]

Quote:
Any grit will do as long as there are small enough pieces. I just let mine out on rocky dirt for a lil bit each day. If I give it to them in the brooder I just give them a little dish of parakeet grit, it's like $2 at walmart. Be prepared for them to ignore the bugs until one is brave enough to try one, then they all go after the same one, lol.

 

[lemongrass]

Between 3 and 4 weeks I was giving mine earthworms and lots of them. I also give grass/weeds from the field, some mud that the earthworms were in, and they always have had grit and scratch along with normal feed. At first they didn't know what the earthworm was, but in a few minutes one of them ventured and pecked it. Oh my, it was on! She grabbed it, ran, and then everyone else wanted a taste... that was it. They don't last more than a few seconds!

 

[macdoogle]

I started giving mine mealworms at about 3 weeks. And yes, it did start a riot. I would let them out on the porch and give out one worm to each at a time. They were so busy running around trying to keep the worms away from each other they would forget to eat them. A great way to get exercise after being in the brooder all day. I found that they ignored earth worms initially , like they didn't know what they were. But those meal worms, they love them. I get them from the feed store and buy a 1000 worm bag. Give them to the older girls to get them back in the run at the end of the day. Didn't know about the chicks needing grit once they get bugs though. Mine are outside now so they are OK.