Two week old chicks, questions

[ella&clara]

HI
I got my chicks yesterday from the feed store, & they are two weeks old. I picked some chickweed & threw it in there with them, and I also got some termite-laden bark from the woods for them to peck at (loved it). Questions: How much of that stuff can I give them (my logic was that if they were out with Mama she'd be feeding them stuff like that), and also, I have not seen them sleep. Wondering if the light from the brooder lamp is keeping them awake, or if I'm awakening them when I go check on them or what. Thanks!

 

[Pascal PicklePants]

I'm pretty sure they need some sort of grit if they are eating termites and greens....Cuz Momma hen would also be helping them find grit in the barnyard. I couldn't find any chick grit so I went to Lowes and bought a 50lb bag of coarse builders sand for $2.77. Seems to be working fine so far, mine are about 2.5 weeks old.

 

[Kassaundra]

We used sand as grit when that young and younger. Ours are happy healthy and 5 months old. As to how much? greens and bugs seems like perfect chicken food to me, just keep the chick food out available for them, they won't starve themselves.

 

[FMAFarms]

You'll want some chick grit, which you can get at your local feed store. I'm assuming they're also on some sort of chick starter feed, with the right balance of protein, etc.? Be sure that's the main meal, but give them treats like that buggy wood so they can practice foraging skills. Now, regarding their sleeping, you might want to consider buying a clip-on brooder light with a red 250-what bulb. At night time, switch off the regular bright light and turn on the red light. The darker light will allow them to sleep more naturally while maintaining the necessary warmth. Good luck!

 

[ella&clara]

Thanks for the advice! I make the chick starter available to them all the time, and they seem to be trying to figure out what to do with the other stuff. I was thinking about the red light too, but my husband said I was nuts. Glad to have some confirmation

I want them to have as natural a life as possible.