My chicks

[Lionbee]

My chicks are 7 1/2 weeks old. We have collected various worms and centipedes for them but otherwise I haven't fed them any treats. I kind of messed up when I got starter feed for them. I had intended to raise organic chickens and I ran out of organic starter feed. My local feed store doesn't carry organic so I ended up buying medicated starter feed. Since then I have purchased more organic starter feed and I am mixing the two together. I guess at this point I can't go back. What is a good treat to begin feeding them other than the worms? I have read so many different things. Can I start giving them food scraps? I have some brown and wild grain rice I made for dinner is that ok? Do they need grit before I give them rice?
Any advice is helpful, thank you! Kinda clueless!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart
Here is the treats chart.

After around 6 weeks is when I start offering "larger" foods to chickens. Rice is fine. They should have grit while receiving treats, grass, and whole grains. If they are on the ground getting pebbles they don't need it supplied.

Here is grit information:
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKRaisingChicks.html

You can buy size #3 grit at the feed store if you aren't confident your run has pebbles the right size (everyone has a different setup is why I mention it).
http://cherrystonegrit.com/grit_sizes.html
grit sizes

I would have grit available to give rice, since it seems soft but when it dries out the grain is still there, not ground up. JMO.

With cracked grains and commercial feed you don't even need grit.

http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/faqgrt.htm
grit

Don't feel like you have to look at all these links, lol.

If they aren't on grass, they love very short grass clippings (I mean a couple of inches long). Also dandelion leaves and clover. But only if you don't treat your grass. Don't feed longer pieces as it can ball up in the crop and cause impacted crop.

Scrambled eggs and boiled eggs are great, too. Scratch is available to purchase (organic scratch or organic cracked corn), but it is just a treat. Don't let anyone tell you it is the main diet (as some feed stores are prone to doing).

Try not to give too many low-protein treats as they need a lot of protein growing. If you throw them some scratch I'd throw a handful out per around 5 chickens, as an example.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=407549
Also here is a thread on treats. Don't give eggshells to nonlaying chickens.

 

[Lionbee]

Thank you so much for all the info! I'll pick up some grit just in case they aren't getting enough from the ground. They are on grass and love it! I gave them a bit of leftover cooked rolled oats from breakfast this morning and they won't eat it. Maybe they will later.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
It is not uncommon for youngsters to shun treats, I have found. If I have a younger flock separated from the older ones I usually just give treats to the older flock.

 

[Lionbee]

I only have the 3 chicks. So maybe they will be courageous and try the oatmeal sometime.

Thanks again!