Too young for mealworms?

[chuckwagon1971]

Just a random question came to mind, at what age is appropriate to give chicks mealworms?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

You'll hear all sorts of rules and time lines on this - from days to a couple of weeks to 6+ weeks, etc. The way I look at it, though, is that a mother hen with chicks would introduce her young to the wonders of scratch and peck for seeds and insects as soon as she starts venturing out with them. For brooder raised chicks, the important thing is to be sure that grit has been made available to the birds prior to offering anything other than water soluble commercial feed as their systems will be unable to digest such treats without a nice gizzard stocked with grit (which the chicks with hen would have also been introduced to by mama bird). And, of course, be careful of the amount of "treat" you offer so that your chicks are still eating a balanced diet needed to keep them strong, healthy and growing.

 

[chuckwagon1971]

Thank you