Silkie chicks heat source? Feed? Treats?

[Feather Fluff]

Excited new chick mom here! Chicks will be here in February and the brooder is almost ready. Though I was raised raising chicks, it isn't the same as doing it on your own and I don't even know what I don't know 0(if that makes sense).

Heat source is a "thermo-poultry 25 watt brooder" but doesn't seem hot enough. Should I also have a heat lamp at first? Silkies are pretty delicate I believe.

What is the best to feed them as a starter and for how long?

When can they have food treats and what should we give them?

If anyone sees problems lmk I'm open to suggestions. Brooder is about 4'x2' plastic clear Tupperware with chicken wire on top and kept indoors. 5 chicks total. Aspen wood shavings on bottom. Waterer, feeder, roost.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That should be warm enough for 5 chicks. Just adjust it so it is at height of their backs and adjust regularly.
Any FRESH starter feed you have available. Some people use medicated feed but I never do. Keep the bedding dry and you won't need it.
The feed is complete and they need no treats. Adding other things will normally negatively affect their optimal nutrition.
The feed bag will have all the instructions you need - follow them.
Relax. You're good.

 

[nuthatched]

Too little for treats, usually 2 months old is when it's better.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Heat source is a "thermo-poultry 25 watt brooder" but doesn't seem hot enough. Should I also have a heat lamp at first? Silkies are pretty delicate I believe.

From a search that looks like a heat plate. Where are you brooding, indoors in a climate controlled area or outside? If you are in a warm environment you should be fine. If you are going to be brooding outside contact the manufacturer and tell them what temperature the chicks will be seeing. See what they say.

What is the best to feed them as a starter and for how long?

As Canoe said, feed them chick starter. Some people feed a Starter for four to eight weeks and then switch to a Grower. Some people feed Starter forever with oyster shell on the side. The "how log" and "what else" can get really complicated. Or you can keep it simple. Many feed bags have a feeding schedule on the back.

When can they have food treats and what should we give them?

A broody hen takes her chicks where they can get grit for their gizzard about as soon as she takes them off the nest and then starts feeding them anything and everything that she eats. As long as they have the grit to grind up the food they can eat about anything.

You are not a broody hen. The Chick Starter should remain the major part of what they eat, treats should be really limited so they get a balanced diet. Some people start them off with treats at a very young age when they are in a brooder, others wait. As long as they get a balanced diet and have grit when they need it doesn't matter to the chicks. A few treats won't hurt them.