Treats?

[Roslyn]

Hey! I wanted to give some little treats like cheese or something to my five day old chicks, but I understand they need grit to act like teeth.
I was just wondering, does anyone know what I can use for grit/where I can get it? And are they too young to have it? Some people have told me that ripping up a clump of dirt from outside works, but again, are they too young?

Just a thank you in advance to anyone who replies!

 

[mydog8it]

Your chick starter should have grit in it, but I wouldn't give them cheese. I know they make special grit for chicks, but I've had issues with tiny ones getting impactions from the grit and/or sand, so I don't give them anything like that until they're about a month old now.

After they're about a week old, mine started pecking at alfalfa hay (they LOVE this) or romaine lettuce if I diced it up. I started giving diced grapes, cherries and strawberries mixed in with some chick starter (for grit) as treats after the second week.

 

[Roslyn]

Quote:
Thank you! I just didn't want to give them anything if I didn't know it was okay for them. I will definately try the romaine lettuce and the alfalfa!

 

[Nicole01]

If you wet down the starter they will think its a treat! I give hard boiled egg yolk and I sprinkle sand over it.