I did the UNTHINKABLE! Gave scratch to the chicks! HELP!

[chickenguysmom]

Thank you everyone for the kind words and encouragement.

(NotTheMomma, can you give me an idea of how big a jack-rock is?)

 

[NotTheMomma]

Smaller than a golf ball. Those little bouncy balls you see in the bubble gum machines.

Darn, jack-rocks, I'm showing my age!!!

 

[Omran]

I know I am not that smart when it comes to chickens, but I was watching the education channal lst year and the program was a bout chickens, what I did understand that mama hen will teach her babys to eat what good and leave what is not good for them, and also the chickens in general old or young they pick exactely what they know they can eat so don't worry, infact I have some chics I fed them some scratch and they are fine.

Omran

 

[patyrdz]

When my hens hatch I always give scratch, and chick started. I have to feed the hen, and so I just give a little of both. I have never had a problem. Remember chickens have been raising chicks alot longer than we have! Back in "old times" the chickens pretty much fended for themselves. I am sure the chicks will be fine, just full.

 

[KYBOY]

Chickens are the possum of the pultry world..They will and can just about anything that dosnt eat them first..Those chicks would eat a whole lot worse if they were running loose with the hen..When I was a kid I saw chickens eat out of the slop trough right along side the hogs almost every day..

 

[chickenguysmom]

I know y'all are right but they ate black sunflower seeds too. I will just have to wait it out and follow all the good suggestions that I get from everyone. And thank you for explaining the jack-rock thing. You know I googled it and the showed something similar to jacks that I remember playing as a child (showing my age also) and now it all makes sense.

Thanks everyone.

 

[wyndski]

I put scratch in for mine and so far, knock on wood, haven't had a problem. I did modify my scratch a bit though. The scratch for the adults that I bought has seeds and large chunky cracked corn. I put it in the food processor and made it real small and added chick start and dry oatmeal and parakeet grit to it. Mixed it together and sprinkle it around for them. They really like scratching around for it. Sometimes I add greens that I also chop in the food processor. Mine are about 2 months old now and for the first month I just gave them chick start.
(edited to add that they still have their regular feeder of chick start also)

 

[FrenchHen]

Did you mention oyster shell as grit? My understanding is that oyster shell is not grit...usually granite or sand are used for grit.

 

[KathyR]

This may sound like a dumb question but what happens if you push up on the crop?
Kathy

 

[cornishrockbabies?]

the babies should be fine. i actually gave my babies scratch when i started raising because i thought they were sposd to have it! oops! first take the food away. i have to take my babies food away for two hours a day or there crops overfill anyway. i have meat chickens who dont know when to stop. then you can massage there crops (i dont) but make extra sure you DONT push up as the others said. The crops should empty out in a few hours. if theyre slow to empty you can give them electrolytes. (unflavored pedialyte. baby section grocery store) either in a waterer or by mouth. they should be fine. oh and rolled oats or mineral oil will help w the constipation!