introduce chick grit?

[showjumper_girl2002]

my 5 chicks are 6 days old and I was going to start taking them outside for a bit (under supervision). also I was thinking of introducing them to some treats soon, like hard boiled egg and grapes. i bought some chick grit with the plan to introduce them to it at 1 week of age. is that ok or is it too soon? it isn't regular grit it is the chick grit that is finer and made specifically for baby chicks. i know that they can get the grit they need when they free range outside but i want to keep grit accessible to them just to be safe even when they're grown up. i'm a new chick mom but my dad has chickens that free range and one of them got a compacted crop (i think that's what it's called

) and had to put her down so i want to be on the safe side and provide my own just in case they need it.

 

[mnferalkitty]

if you are feeding them chick starter that usually already has grit mixed in with it read the ingredient list to male sure, be careful with treats at this young of an age it can cause loose poop and chicks go down hill fast if they get loose poop.

 

[settingdusk]

I give my youngest chicks sand to eat. They eat it to help them poop or if they are out and about its there in case they have hard time digesting. You can buy expensive chick grit but I use all purpose sand or pebbly sand from the beach.

 

[azygous]

I second that. Ordinary sand is adequate grit. In fact, I provide a small tub of sand in the brooder for the chicks to practice dirt bathing in. They have a ball! They eat enough of the sand to take care of any extra treats I might give them, in moderation of course. Their chick feed is the most important food for them at this stage. But a lettuce leaf or melon slice or an occasional meal worm won't hurt them.

It's a shame your dad had to put down his chicken with impacted crop. A few of mine have had it and it was quickly fixed by squirting olive oil down their throats and then massaging their crop until it softened and the contents went down.

 

[showjumper_girl2002]

I second that. Ordinary sand is adequate grit. In fact, I provide a small tub of sand in the brooder for the chicks to practice dirt bathing in. They have a ball! They eat enough of the sand to take care of any extra treats I might give them, in moderation of course. Their chick feed is the most important food for them at this stage. But a lettuce leaf or melon slice or an occasional meal worm won't hurt them. It's a shame your dad had to put down his chicken with impacted crop. A few of mine have had it and it was quickly fixed by squirting olive oil down their throats and then massaging their crop until it softened and the contents went down.

Her impacted crop was really bad unfortunately and that didn't work i appreciate all your respnses and help! i want to make sure i start them off right would play sand suffice for them to dirt bathe in? Also I already bought the chick grit :/ should I wait till they're older or can I go ahead and put it in the brooder with them? What is the best age to start giving treats?

 

[BY Chicken Lady]

Her impacted crop was really bad unfortunately and that didn't work

i appreciate all your respnses and help! i want to make sure i start them off right

would play sand suffice for them to dirt bathe in? Also I already bought the chick grit

should I wait till they're older or can I go ahead and put it in the brooder with them? What is the best age to start giving treats?

I got my baby chicks when they were 3 weeks old and the breeder said to just put some chick grit in a dish near their food. I did this and they do seem to be eating some of it. They are now 7 weeks old and have had no problem with poop or digestion. Their little gizzards are full when they go to roost at night and empty in the morning so they must be getting enough of what they need.

I have also given them treats like watermelon, veggie scraps and such since we brought them home and have had no issues.

 

[showjumper_girl2002]

My chicks are only a week old. My concern was if its too early and they're too young to have it yet.

 

[azygous]

As long as they have grit, they can eat what you give them. Remember, if they were being raised outdoors by a mother hen, they would already be eating bugs and grass.

Play sand isn't good for them. Don't ask, I read it somewhere. But the sand that they use for construction is fine. I use the fine sand. By all means, use up the grit you bought. They'll eat what they need, and if they eat some of the dirt bathing sand, no biggie.

A side note, since you seem very involved with your chicks, would it surprise you that they are born knowing and speaking their chicken language? Even though it may sound like ordinary cheeping, they are actually speaking in the same exact "sentences" that older chickens speak. Listen very carefully to them. They string the notes together in a special way, accenting certain notes. After a while, you'll begin to learn what some of it means. It's very fascinating.

 

[showjumper_girl2002]

As long as they have grit, they can eat what you give them. Remember, if they were being raised outdoors by a mother hen, they would already be eating bugs and grass. Play sand isn't good for them. Don't ask, I read it somewhere. But the sand that they use for construction is fine. I use the fine sand. By all means, use up the grit you bought. They'll eat what they need, and if they eat some of the dirt bathing sand, no biggie. A side note, since you seem very involved with your chicks, would it surprise you that they are born knowing and speaking their chicken language? Even though it may sound like ordinary cheeping, they are actually speaking in the same exact "sentences" that older chickens speak. Listen very carefully to them. They string the notes together in a special way, accenting certain notes. After a while, you'll begin to learn what some of it means. It's very fascinating.

Sounds good! And yes you could say im involved, my little chicks are spoiled that's so interesting about their cheeping. I'll have to start paying closer attention

 

[Rockin CR]

My chicks are about a week and a half now and I've been wondering the same thing. The bag of chick grit that I bought said to start feeding it at 2 weeks so that's what I'm going to do. I figure it's only a couple more days to wait