Two Week Old Chicks Having a Ball!!!

[analyticalblonde]

Hi All,

I read that once chicks get to be about two weeks old, it's OK to start introducing them to the outside world and since it's too cool to take them outside, I put in a clog of dirt & grass from the area they will eventually be living their glorious lives.

When I pulled up the clog, there was even a bonus inside the dirt - a beautiful earthworm! So, as the saying goes, the early bird gets the worm.

They all are absolutely going nuts over this new and fascinating curiosity and it warms my heart to see them so excited about it.

Now, I would just like to know should it be left in the brooder from them to scratch and breakdown or should it be removed in a couple of hours? They really seem to be going at it and I don't want it to be a substitute

for their starter feed.

Thanks so much!

 

[ChemicalchiCkns]

Highly entertaining. I did the same with my Grand mother years past. She enjoyed it with Me.

 

[Acre4Me]

Leave the clod of dirt there. If you want to remove it when cleaning the brooder, then just get them a fresh clod. If you want more entertainment in the next week, add a meal worm or two, or a ladybug, or similar...add to dirt clod and wait till they notice movement. then the race will be ON! One chicks will run away with it, taunting the others, followed by a chase and eventually one will eat the treat. Don't forget to add some chick grit to their brooder too before giving treats other than their feed.

 

[analyticalblonde]

Leave the clod of dirt there. If you want to remove it when cleaning the brooder, then just get them a fresh clod. If you want more entertainment in the next week, add a meal worm or two, or a ladybug, or similar...add to dirt clod and wait till they notice movement. then the race will be ON! One chicks will run away with it, taunting the others, followed by a chase and eventually one will eat the treat. Don't forget to add some chick grit to their brooder too before giving treats other than their feed.

Thank you for your input regarding how long to leave the clog in!...as a precaution, I did add just a bit, 1 Tbsp, of Chick grit because the dirt clog is new and I did want them to be able to digest anything they may encounter. The bugs are a great idea!!! The worm I think won't hurt them I think (?).

 

[Criticalicious]

I love that little noise they make that loosely translates to "WTF?"

Chick grit can be offering free-feed. Just use a small dish and load it up. It helps build up their gizzards

 

[Acre4Me]

Thank you for your input regarding how long to leave the clog in!...as a precaution, I did add just a bit, 1 Tbsp, of Chick grit because the dirt clog is new and I did want them to be able to digest anything they may encounter. The bugs are a great idea!!! The worm I think won't hurt them I think (?).

No, worm should have been fine! Did they fight over it? Or did just one or two brave chicks investigate?

 

[analyticalblonde]

No, worm should have been fine! Did they fight over it? Or did just one or two brave chicks investigate?

Only the worm's butt (could be head?) was sticking out of the dirt about 1/2 inch...not sure if they've discovered it yet

I love that little noise they make that loosely translates to "WTF?"

Chick grit can be offering free-feed. Just use a small dish and load it up. It helps build up their gizzards

That was too funny!!!!MWAHAHAHA

 

[starri33]

Only the worm's butt (could be head?) was sticking out of the dirt about 1/2 inch...not sure if they've discovered it yet


That was too funny!!!!MWAHAHAHA

Oh, I bet it was funny, the worm is fine for them as well as the dirt clod, I've read where it's good as they get little pieces of stone out of it to use as grit. Adding a little extra should not be a problem. I still crack up at my girls charging the fence when they hear me coming, they run at the fence wings flapping, all excited.

 

[Karen Glatz]

I have a water bottle with a chicken nipple for water. I took a ceramic catfood dish and cut a clod of dirt, grass and weeds to fit it tightly. I put it under the water bottle to catch the drips and splashes that my peeps make.

Surprisingly the grass is growing and being watered. The peeps peck at it and try to eat the tips of the grass. Great fun for all.

 

[Karen Glatz]

Highly entertaining. I did the same with my Grand mother years past. She enjoyed it with Me.

I hope you didn't make your grandmother eat the clod of dirt. LOL