too young for grit???

[Teena Marie]

I think you should start a new thread. I can't help since I am new to chicks. Hope it works out.

 

[leadwolf1]

Unless you have been feeding your babies more than just their starter food, they are not in need of grit. I just said that so that you wouldn't think that the grit is the cause of the babies problems. I'm not sure what you are seeing or hearing. It is sometimes so hard to figure out what is wrong at that age.

What kind of bedding are they on?

 

[chickenmandavid]

"Chick grit" is what you want. Its smaller than "poultry grit" but the same stuff (usually crushed granite), just different size. Large grained sand works good too. I simply mix a table spoon or two of grit in with the chick starter feed (not sure how many chicks you have) but they will eat what they need an ignore what they don't want to eat, so you don't need to put it in a separate feeder.

As far as dirt goes, I have always put a small box of dirt and sand in the brooder after the chicks are one week old. This can help build their immune systems and I firmly believe in this over using medicated feed. Chickens have been around a lot longer than medicated feed has, and in the wild they aren't born in sterile boxes and pine shavings, they are born and raised on dirt and grass. Yes there is a risk of coccidiosis, but exposing them early in small amount is better than a sterile environment and then at 6 weeks putting them on dirt with no immunity.

Hope you sick chick pulls through okay.

 

[wantbantams]

I agree with chickenmandavid

 

[Izzymoon]

when I went to the blue seal seminar, they said that my chicks would be undulated and I should not give them medicated food. When asked about grit, the lady said that the chick starter should be enough as long as you didn't add any other foods. She also said it can't hurt to add some grit.

I went to the feed store and asked them about it, and they also said they don't need it until they start eating other things (than chick starter) but then I have read the opposite online and decided it can't hurt to make it available.

I asked on a forum if I could add dirt as a subsitute and they said they'd love to play in it but no dirt did not replace grit. I was told I could use sand but be careful where you get it from, so it doesn't have salt in it. (beach sand=no no)

Because my girls are so curious when I added the grit in a small bowl they immediately spilled it over, and after awhile I realized it was wasting it, and I just put it in a section of the pen and just sprinkled it under the shavings so they could dig for it if they wanted it (without a bowl)

 

[canesisters]

I think you should start a new thread. I can't help since I am new to chicks. Hope it works out.

I did, 3 of them in fact, and haven't gotten any help for the sick chick yet.

I do appreciate the info about grit for the others. The stuff I got last night is HUGE. I ground up a little with a hammer and cinder block and sprinkled it over their feeder this morning. I also picked up a hand full of sand from the yard this morning and piled it in a corner of the brooder. They'll probably have fun with that. Hope it will help the others from having to go through what this little EE is going through.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

I put my chicks outside on the ground and they hunt around and pick up their own 'grit ' I also put a large saucer from a planter full of dirt I dug from the yard in with the broody after she is done hatching, this is more for her since she loves her dust bath but the chicks climb in and peck the dirt from day one.
For an impacted croup there are many threads and info on cures in by, I have fortunately not had that problem, sorry for your problem, usually such will resolve given time, hope yours does.

 

[Izzymoon]

you could also try putting apple cider vinegar in their water loosen the stool alittle, maybe help digest. I use it everyday in every change of water just a tiny amount (1 tsp per gallon) too much they'll get the runs

 

[canesisters]

Thanks Izzymoon, I'll pick up some on the way home today. Anything special I need to look for?

 

[Izzymoon]

no, I just got a gallon of apple cider vinegar from the grocery store. Store brand nothing fancy, and super cheap. I am sure you can use rice vinegar or regular vinegar, just the apple flavor sweetens the water. I just put a small dab in there ( I don't measure it) Sometimes they get a tsp sometimes a tblsp lol...I change the water enough if a little extra is there it'll get changed in a couple hours. On the reverse of this, I also have found sprinkling some rolled oats (quaker) on the shavings is a fun treat and also binds them up if they get too runny ( everything in moderation) They love digging around for it