is it ok to feed chicks crackers?

[PrestonSloan08]

um well i have been feeding my chicks little crumbled up pieces of ritz crackers and they love it!!! but im wondering if it is ok to feed them crackers!!! ive been doing it for several days now!! and no problems!! but i havent been feeding them much because im scared it would swell up and make them explode!!! is it ok?

 

[chickmchickie]

they need grit to eat anything like that.. and do you take off the salt off the tops? not so sure the salt is good for them???

 

[Yonaton]

Quote:
How do you figure they need grit to eat anything like that? The crumbles I feed my flock are far harder than any Ritz cracker crumbs and I've never put grit in the coop when raising chicks. You could say the grit *might* help get a little more nutrition from whatever they eat because it helps crush it up smaller and makes it easier to absorb, but it's not enough to make them grow any less, or more for that matter, at least in my 20 years of raising chickens (and yes, I've tried grit also with the chicks and that's how I know I've never noticed any difference in it helping or hindering their growth). Justify your replies, it makes it much nicer for everyone, and can save someone a lot of worry and a little bit of cash (unless they want to go out and grab a few handsfull of pea gravel and let the birds pick out what they want...free is good!)

The salt thing I'm not sure about, but it's something I've never worried about either. If I happened to throw out scraps or whatever to the birds, you can bet it has salt on it because I like salt. Never found a dead bird after they've eaten anything I've thrown out. <shrug>

 

[karimw]

I feed bread to my chickens for treats in small amounts, but I have avoided things like potato chips because of the extra salt. I doubt it will hurt them, but just like any treat I would keep it to small amounts so you don't "spoil their supper" If they are full on treats they won't eat the food they should.

 

[Flockstar]

Well, I think you should grind them up, and make sure that there isn't salt, they won't like the salt, but it's fine to feed them that.

 

[TwoCrows]

I fed my babies saltine crackers that had very litte salt on top. They devoured them like crazy! I think in moderation, crackers are ok for baby chicks. As far as grit is concerned, grit is needed for things that are not water soluable. Chick feed disolves in water as crackers would. However things like grains, seeds and such things need stones in the gizzard to digest. It never hurts to offer them grit while still in the brooder, but as long as you stick to water soluable things, you don't have to offer grit.

 

[KDailey]

I would think the crackers would be fine. The feed you're actually giving them is probably harder/larger than crushed up crackers.

As for the salt thing I did read somewhere that salt is not good for chickens in excessive amounts. What you have to be careful of is translating excessive from "How much is too much for a human body that can be anywhere from 100-300lbs," and "How much is too much for a little chick that weighs less than a lb..."

 

[StrayMagnet]

Crackers should be fine... when our Hen started to visit us.. I'd take a sleever of Crackers and crush them.. and toss them out to her. as well as some stale bread and quick oats, I've yet to give mine grits.. as when I started to feed Chick chick (the hen) she was just a visitor and thust free range. and I am assuming she got her Gravel from Ranging.

as for the chicks? I have the underside of my porch made into the coop. and it's dirt under there.. so I'm assuming they are getting their "rocks" under there. when momma hen scratchs in the dirt.,

where would i find pea gravel? not even sure what pea gravel is lol.

 

[Lil'ChickFarm]

learning here too, but I have heard that sand works as grit. My silkies are coming next week and I am planning to use sand in their brooder at first as shavings is just so messy for the water.

 

[chickmchickie]

Quote:
How do you figure they need grit to eat anything like that? The crumbles I feed my flock are far harder than any Ritz cracker crumbs and I've never put grit in the coop when raising chicks. You could say the grit *might* help get a little more nutrition from whatever they eat because it helps crush it up smaller and makes it easier to absorb, but it's not enough to make them grow any less, or more for that matter, at least in my 20 years of raising chickens (and yes, I've tried grit also with the chicks and that's how I know I've never noticed any difference in it helping or hindering their growth). Justify your replies, it makes it much nicer for everyone, and can save someone a lot of worry and a little bit of cash (unless they want to go out and grab a few handsfull of pea gravel and let the birds pick out what they want...free is good!)

The salt thing I'm not sure about, but it's something I've never worried about either. If I happened to throw out scraps or whatever to the birds, you can bet it has salt on it because I like salt. Never found a dead bird after they've eaten anything I've thrown out. <shrug>