Watermelon ok for chicks?

[bigchicken2]

Quote:
Mine ate watermelon rinds when they were eating chick starter. Do you even know what animal food is made of?! Watermelon is better than chick starter.

 

[PetChickenBoo]

Thanks for all the responses-very helpful! BYC is great!

 

[bella1210]

i think they are to young

to have watermelon

 

[Chickiemama1010]

I gave my chicks soft treats (scrambled egg, yogurt, and yes, melon) in moderation starting around 2 1/2 wks old. They did just fine with it. You just have to be sure whatever you give youngsters is accompanied by grit if they need it to grind it up in their crops. Yogurt doesnt really need grinding, but things like corn or grapes definitely do. Remember...no teeth.

you should cut things up tiny for them, and then stand back and watch the grab-and-dash that ensues. its so funny to watch them play keep away and run around frantic with a little bit of something hanging out of their mouths.

bottom line...everyone has opinions on when its ok to give treats. Keep them in moderation, provide them chick grit (mixed with food, or sometimes it will stick to or mix in the treats) and keep it simple. Remember they are just babies, and they will likely eat whatever you put in front of them. Dont give them anything too acidic, salty, or unfit for you to eat (read no mold, rancid etc.) Chicks (and chickens for that matter) can die from too much salt. check the treat chart if you are unsure if something is safe or not. And dont give them TOO much fruit. Sometimes, esp in babes, it can cause runny poo which can lead to dehydration and all kinds of issues as a result (even death)

 

[dappertophatter]

Give 'em anything you want- in small amounts and with grit, so the wee things can digest everything properly. My mommy hen fed her babies watermelon at one week old! (of course, they were galumping around the yard and eating everything in sight as well

) Make sure they eat more starter than treats for proper growth.