Question about what to feed chicks

[GreenChic]

I have 9 2 week old chicks and yesterday it was very warm so we let them outside for a while. One of the kids noticed that the chicks where all chasing another chick and that chick had something in her mouth. I turned out to be a worm and I don't like touching worms so I didn't take it away. She ended up eating the worm but I read that when they eat something other than chick feed you need to give them grit. Do I need to go out and by some grit asap or will she be fine?

 

[hennyannie]

Do you have them on the ground? If they are then chances are they found what they need there. In the past I have not given them grit and they did just fine with what they found outside or got from the dirt bath I made for them.

 

[Nostalchic]

It probably would be best for them to have some sort of grit if they are eating something other than chick starter, but you can use coarse clean sand, or what is sold in pet stores as parakeet grit. Just put it in a little dish for them - they'll know what to do with it. If you have them out on a lawn, there wouldn't be much in the way of insoluble small stones or sand available, normally. Isn't it amazing how they know how delicious worms are at such a young age?