Treats for young chicks?

[Jensownzoo]

Just happened about an hour ago azygous! Picked up a small container of red wigglers from the bait shop on the way home to give them. They loved those even more than the meal worms. And since they were longer, multiple tug-of-wars ensued.

I have my brooder half shavings (warm side) and half landscapers sand (cool side with the feeder and waterer) separated by a line of bricks to keep things contained. Wanted to see which I preferred for the coop. It's the sand, hands down. Love that I can use a cat scoop and a little PDZ to maintain it. They seem to like to dust bathe more in the shavings though? Maybe the lighter material is less irritating with all the blood feathers they have right now.

 

[michellefritze]

My chicks are about 5 weeks old and I think they are looking for a treat? I want to give them something but I'm new and was told not to until they are 6 weeks. Is it ok? They are eating like pigs!!! Can I shred up some lettuce or something?

 

[azygous]

Yes, you can give them a tender lettuce leaf to nibble on. Other treats are fine, too, but it's a good idea to provide grit. A small tub of sand for them to dirt bathe in will double as grit.

The reason for discouraging people from offering treats to very young chicks is that it's easy to over-do it, especially when you have children feeding them. Chicks grow extremely fast during the first couple months, doubling in size each week. If they aren't getting enough protein and other proper nutrients, their development can be harmed.

As long as you keep treats to a strict minimum, they are okay to feed.

 

[michellefritze]

Ok thank you! Is any type of sand ok or does it have to be a certain type of sand? I've noticed them rolling around in the pine shavings I think to bathe.

 

[Jensownzoo]

If you get builder's sand (also called landscaping sand, paver sand) then it can function as grit as well. Don't use play sand as it is too smooth and uniformly sized.

 

[FlyWheel]

Speaking of "quarter-backing", wait until you get two chicks playing tug-of-war with a hapless worm, and they're screeching like a ref's whistle going off! I get faint with mirth just thinking about it!

I brood now in my run which has sand of varying sizes. But when I brooded indoors, I liked to place a small tub of sand in there for the chicks to "dirt bathe" in, and it doubled as grit. Chicks know when they need grit, and will find it wherever you leave it for them. Make sure chicks have plenty of fresh clean water at all times since they sometimes overdo the grit thing and they need to flush out the excess.

You should post a video, I have tears in my eyes just reading that!

Regarding sand, where I live the only thing close to 'natural' sand is the red clay so prevalent in the American Southeast. would that work or would it be too fine?