Oats for chicks and grit

[Ksherlock]

Does anyone know if you should provide chick grit if you feed the chicks oats? I thought I saw on this forum somewhere that you don't but I can't find it again. We want to try oats to help with the pasty butt.

 

[chickensinwasillaAK]

If you want to prevent the pasty butt, I'd use Apple Cider Vinegar. Just a dab in the water will be enough. I wouldn't give chicks oats, they'll have no way to grind them. The gizzard is still pretty small in a chick, even with grit they would have a problem. Now I'm speaking of week old chicks, not 6 or 7 week olds.

 

[Ksherlock]

Thanks, that helps.

 

[leadwolf1]

Hhhmmmm...I have always started my babies on oatmeal (old fashioned) and grit at 1 week old. I've had no negative consequences with doing this...as a matter of fact, they appear very healthy and from the same hatch, my chicks were double the size of my daughter's. Hers did not have the oatmeal and grit. I also like to start them out with a baby cake per week..they love it

 

[cary 1973]

whats a baby cake? all i have is instant oatmeal will that work do i cook it up or give raw. my girls are going on 4 weekish only have 12 grain wheat breed am for treat and yogart at night would like to give them somthing else as treat oh ya and meal worms.

 

[leadwolf1]

A baby cake is a formulated 'cake' that you can buy at most feed stores and tractor supply. It's made especially for chicks 8 weeks and under and it has all kinds of yummy stuff in it...plus, they love to peck at it and it gives them something to do all day in that boring brooder

They are made by farmer's helper and if you can't find them locally, search for them online. I found them pretty cheap...at the cheshire horse website! Right now my local feed store has them on sale and I'm loving it. I try and make sure there is one in the brooder at all times until they are 8 weeks old.

As for the oatmeal...I would just feed it to them right out of the bag..they love to dig around in the shavings for goodies ...or, you could cook it and add their yogurt to it for a really yummy bedtime treat

 

[Red Barn Farms]

I feed mine old fashioned oats and steel cut oats too when they were around 3 weeks old and always have provided grit. The oats I give them is only a treat. They seem to do great and love eating it. No problems so far.

 

[Ksherlock]

My babies will be a week old on Saturday. Is it ok to give it to them now or should I wait until the one week mark?

 

[Izzymoon]

I bought a baby cake today

http://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Baby-Chick-Supplies/BabyCake-Supplement-p844.aspx

 

[leadwolf1]

I would wait until they are a week old. I like to wait that long to let them really get started on eating that starter food...that's the most important part of their diet!

Congratulations, Izzymoon, those babies are just gonna love it. Don't be surprised if it takes them awhile to catch on that it is food....