Mealworm for four week olds???

[Gembeag]

Would it be ok to give our 4 week old RSLs some mealworm treats yet? I'd like to begin feeding them treats by hand. If so, should they have chick grit too?

 

[lazy gardener]

Yes, and Yes. I like to get some grit into my chicks in the first week. I give them a plug of sod from my yard. It gives them their first grit, gives them a healthy dose of natural bacteria to jump start their gut flora and immune systems so they can naturally avoid illness from cocci, and gives them a whole world of entertainment. Just because "they say" that chicks don't need grit if they are only eating chick starter, that doesn't mean that grit is not an important part of a chicken's diet. (IMO) So, yeah, give them both, and enjoy the fun.

 

[Gembeag]

Thank you. So shall I put grit in their chick crumb or separately?x

 

[junebuggena]

You can put the grit in a small dish, or spread it around the floor of the brooder, or sprinkle it on top of their 'treat.'

 

[rainyvillarreal]

Grit is something that chickens naturally like to scavenge for, I recommend sprinkling it into their bedding. If you want to start feeding them things other than chick starter, I recommend yogurt as this is one of the best foods you can give to anything really especially something that's still developing. Yogurt has good bacteria that will help their gut flora. Make sure it's plain, Greek is one of the best. If it's warm enough where you are, and you don't have predators to worry about, try putting one or two of them on your grass with an upside down laundry basket over the top of them while they scavenge. That way they will find their grit naturally, as well as eat other goodies they find on the ground. You'll have to watch them though. They will love it!

 

[Gembeag]

Grit is something that chickens naturally like to scavenge for, I recommend sprinkling it into their bedding. If you want to start feeding them things other than chick starter, I recommend yogurt as this is one of the best foods you can give to anything really especially something that's still developing. Yogurt has good bacteria that will help their gut flora. Make sure it's plain, Greek is one of the best. If it's warm enough where you are, and you don't have predators to worry about, try putting one or two of them on your grass with an upside down laundry basket over the top of them while they scavenge. That way they will find their grit naturally, as well as eat other goodies they find on the ground. You'll have to watch them though. They will love it!

Thanks. I have bought some yoghurt, but not tried it yet. I have sprinkled grit in their bedding and have been hand feeding them a small amount of mealworm. They are scratching about for the grit quite happily and love the meal worm. They are much happier to see our hands and to be handled.x

 

[Gembeag]

You can put the grit in a small dish, or spread it around the floor of the brooder, or sprinkle it on top of their 'treat.'

They are loving the grit, it started it a small dish but they've tipped it over and spread it about!x

 

[Gembeag]

Yes, and Yes.  I like to get some grit into my chicks in the first week.  I give them a plug of sod from my yard.  It gives them their first grit, gives them a healthy dose of natural bacteria to jump start their gut flora and immune systems so they can naturally avoid illness from cocci, and gives them a whole world of entertainment.  Just because "they say" that chicks don't need grit if they are only eating chick starter, that doesn't mean that grit is not an important part of a chicken's diet.  (IMO)  So, yeah, give them both, and enjoy the fun.

They are loving the grit and mealworm and I've just put in a couple of sods-they're not too sure about them! I'll keep you posted.x