I bought 16 chicks from a not-too-nearby farmer/poultry raiser, Rhodies 2 wks old and Barred Rocks 4 days old and installed them all in their first cardboard box brooder TOGETHER...Uh, I know they don't recommend putting different age chicks together, but the Rhodies started taking care of the babies early and they all get along fine--I've had 'em for 10 days. Now. On about day 6 I noticed some bloody droppings, but I couldn't pick out which chick was leaving them. Since I always recommend rolled oats for HUMAN fiber problem rectification, I decided to scatter a few in the brooder pen...
First event -- they all started to scratch up the litter and went wild for the oats.
Second event -- By the second day, no more bloody stools evident.
Third event -- they BEG for oats every day, and since it helps them keep the litter stirred up, I happily oblige them.
Of course, they get DuMor chick starter feed and all the fresh water they can drink -- their bedding is grass clippings and chopped hay. I don't think it would work with pine bedding, since the oats are the same color as the pine chips. What do y'all think? Have you ever experimented with rolled oats with your chicks?
M J DeLeonardis
P.S. -- Three of the Barred Rocks from the same batch went to another farm, are on the same feed, and mine are significantly bigger and feathering out faster than theirs....
First event -- they all started to scratch up the litter and went wild for the oats.
Second event -- By the second day, no more bloody stools evident.
Third event -- they BEG for oats every day, and since it helps them keep the litter stirred up, I happily oblige them.
Of course, they get DuMor chick starter feed and all the fresh water they can drink -- their bedding is grass clippings and chopped hay. I don't think it would work with pine bedding, since the oats are the same color as the pine chips. What do y'all think? Have you ever experimented with rolled oats with your chicks?
M J DeLeonardis

P.S. -- Three of the Barred Rocks from the same batch went to another farm, are on the same feed, and mine are significantly bigger and feathering out faster than theirs....
Last edited: