Hi...my little ones are eight days old today and every single time I turn around...their food bowl is empty. This only started happening in the last two days. It is a small bowl compared to a regular bowl but I’m wondering what is going on. There is food all around the bowl and I’m wondering if they could possibly be using it to dust bath. I’ve been told they are to young to put dirt in there until they know the difference between what is food and what isn’t. Can I put some grass in a container and it not hurt them. I did try and put some dirt in a container about five days ago and all they did was eat the dirt. That was when someone suggested that they might be to young. I sure could use some advice. Thanks.
Need help with baby chicks and possible dust bathing.
- Thread starter Wyoyell
- Start date
A shallow pan of dirt from your yard would work, plus it has the added benefit of exposing the chicks to germs.
Dirt to dust bathe in would be fine.
Yes, they might be dust bathing in the food.
Yes, they might eat dirt, but a small amount won't hurt them. They learn what to eat and what not to eat by trying it.
Do they have access to grit? If they need grit, they may eat dirt because they need grit. (Grit is small rocks used to grind up food in their gizzard. It's not needed if they only eat commercial food, because that has already been ground up well, but they do need grit if they're going to eat anything else--like grass.)
Grass in a container should be fine as well. Don't cut long strands of grass for them--either cut it into short piece, or leave it attached to the roots so they can bite off pieces for themselves (you don't want a tangle of long grass in their crops.)
Yes, they might be dust bathing in the food.
Yes, they might eat dirt, but a small amount won't hurt them. They learn what to eat and what not to eat by trying it.
Do they have access to grit? If they need grit, they may eat dirt because they need grit. (Grit is small rocks used to grind up food in their gizzard. It's not needed if they only eat commercial food, because that has already been ground up well, but they do need grit if they're going to eat anything else--like grass.)
Grass in a container should be fine as well. Don't cut long strands of grass for them--either cut it into short piece, or leave it attached to the roots so they can bite off pieces for themselves (you don't want a tangle of long grass in their crops.)
Chickens are wired when they hatch - 
baby chicks act like adult chickens,
they scratch / dig when they eat. They toss food everywhere , stand in the food and yes roll in the food if they can. I bought this type of feeder several years ago just for baby chicks. I helped, but as you can see, they still stand in it to scratch & peck hahahahah
baby chicks act like adult chickens, they scratch / dig when they eat. They toss food everywhere , stand in the food and yes roll in the food if they can. I bought this type of feeder several years ago just for baby chicks. I helped, but as you can see, they still stand in it to scratch & peck hahahahahSimilar threads
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