Let the Controversy Begin!!

[AHappychick]

Well I sort of do what she said. I dont feed treats until they are about 4-6 weeks old as I dont see the reason too, and yes starter has small grit for them in it.

The part about going outside I follow but only because I dont have time to spend with all the chicks having outside time so they hve to wait until old enough to go into the outside pens.

neither is wrong

 

[Morgan7782]

I am sorry but that lady is.. Interesting.

I love my chickens, but they are CHICKENS. For however many years they have been born outside, and some might even think if they all don't make it, it was meant to be. Darwin's therory takes hold here.

When I had my first chicks, they were outside from day 1, and had the heat lamp on their insecure 'coop' whenever they got cold. Well surprise to me, they chose outside and fun rather then sitting at home under heat, even at 7-10 days old. Their mother would have to get off them and get water, food and so on.

It cracks me up these people who are SO vigilant with 'rules' that they don't realize Nature needs to take it's course, whether you are ready or not.

My advice? Bring them outside whenever the weather is nice. I think it takes a constant cold or chill to get them sick, but I am sure you will notice they are COLD and NOT HAPPY, or otherwise. It will also build them up for going out full time so you don't shock them from inside heat light to big scary outdoors.

Hope I didn't come across as rude, I don't mean to be at ALL and I praise you for taking this lady's words with a grain of salt. You have a varity of experience here, but all is good. I doubt people on here would be doing harmful things to their chicks (like god forbid feeding treats lol).

I started introducing treats with chick grit at about 1-2 weeks old. Some things are better then others at different ages, I find my chicks LOVE raisins and raw oatmeal, but that's about the extent of their experimenting. They are PICKY lol

 

[Backyard Hencam]

Ha! #30 responses in 24 hours. We like putting our 2 cents in so I'll put in mine. \\

I personally don't think that "chicken lady" should be quite so rigid. Chickens raised in the outside are eating bits of everything within a day when mom shows them how to scratch and peck. Personally, I don't consider grass a "treat". Within reason, chicks can eat a variety of things and will find grit in the dirt. "Chicken lady" should relax a little. Unless people are feeding "treats" instead of chick food, it is fine!

 

[KKatknap]

I haven't read all the replies, but here's my 2 cents.

I don't think there's anything wrong with they chicken lady. To be fair, there are lots of posts on this forum of people who are suddenly having issues with their chicks - and then you find out they were feeding 5 day old chicks french fries or something. The chicken lady is just trying to lead a newbie down the path of what will give the chicks the best chance of growing up without issues. Those who have done it many times will undoubtedly find that strict advice, but remember - she's trying to help someone who hasn't raised chicks before. It's kind of like following the recipe exactly the first time, and then making alterations to it the next time.

My first batch, I fed nothing but chick food and the occasional scrambled egg. And they didn't go outside until they were @ 4 wks old. I let them out and give them a little grit sooner than that, now. IMHO, "treats" are really more for human entertainment. Nothing against that, but I choose not to risk it with the really young ones. Besides, they go nutty over eggs, so that's enough for me.

 

[PeepsInc]

OP, listen to your chicken lady. She's rite!

 

[Backyard_Chicken_rancher]

I'm dealing with the same thing in my life DMIL has raised chicks since she was a child and her family has raised them off and on I get advice from her all the time (rather I want it or not lol) but she always gives me advice from yesteryear and always adds how do you think we did it in my day. I tell her in your day it was nothing to have chicks running around all over the place we call that freeranging which I do not do My dogs would have a chicken dinner if I did that, plus y'all would let the momma raise them well I have no momma here so I have to raise them and I do it the way I want to do it.
What I am saying is people do things different when DMIL raised them they didn't know all the things we do today so they raised them different I have givin mine grit since they were 3 days old once they go to the big coop and run I ease up on it but still toss a hanful here and there on the ground (my own assurance that they are getting grit) as for the treats since they were a week old so it doesn't matter mine are all helathy and growing like bad weeds or like chickens should be (they are pigs with feathers) I call them my little voltures cause no soon do I put the feed down they are on it they stand around watching it as I fill it up ( I do it every morrning for the little chicks) no sooner do I drop it in they go to town I am affraid one day I am going to pull back a nub lol.

I have taken mine outside since they were a week old (I have a small cage I put them in next to the run so the dogs and bigger ones won't get them they love it as long as I give them grit I have no worrys what they eat. and hey if they get grit from the ground that is great as well.
So what I am saying is take the advice of others but always just do what you feel is right in your heart for your girls.

 

[rancher hicks]

Can't say about treats but yesterday mom got off her nest and went outside and there was her chick. She followed the chick up and down and when I went into the coop later the chick was under the nest box and I put it in with mom. I figured the hen knew better than me. On the other hand I haven't taken incu hatched chicks out.
As for treats I'd agree with that. I do figure a chick wouldn't eat grit that it didn't need.

Anyone here get the Practical Poultry? Nice story about Grandma and her chicken raising lessons. Even one about a broody hatching in ice cold weather.

 

[DTRM30]

Quote:
I did that with my chicks last year - it was Hysterical !

My kids loved watching them play "kill the carrier"

I don't give much for treats, mostly just a handfull of boiled egg or something like scratch - to get them back into their run if it's before dark an I need to head out for something. They run like crazy and follow me around when they see me with food - it's too funny - as bad as my dog !

 

[chicknerd]

The most important thing, like raising kids, is doing what you feel is right. I live in NH too and I was concerned about the cool weather here ( I have had chicks for a month now). We did wait until they were about 4 weeks old and then started gradually letting them out. They are now outside from sun up until sunset and they are 6-8 weeks old. They LOVE it. Even when it was 45 degrees out a few days ago they loved it. I have play sand for grit or dust bath in their portable pen, and food and water. I also a few a logs for perches.

Yesterday when it started getting warm (ok 70 is WARM around here this time of year) I put a towel over the top on one side so they could have shade. They used it when every they took a nap.

WRT treats - I started giving them treats when they were about 3-4 weeks old. I started with a little mashed boiled egg white (per advice on this board) so they could get used to eating out of my hand. I did not give them much but within a few days they got the idea that when I put my hand in the brooder that meant a treat. But it is small amounts. 1 egg white chopped for 6 6-8 week old chicks. And not every day.

Good luck!!!

deb

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Quote:
So you should tell her boss what a fantastic employee she is, how reliable her advice is, how confident you feel in consulting her. So when she does recommend some product you will buy it with confidence, because you have seen in the past how she won't recommend something that is not needed. He may give her more imput in ordering truly necessary supplies for chicken care, ACV & food grade DE & other things we really need at times.

And of course, invite your Chicken Lady to join the BYC forum, we'd love to meet her & have her imput here!