What age can chicks eat veggies?

[cowhlb]

We have a lot of squash and other veggies. The hens seem to get a little tired of them so when can chicks start eating them?

 

[Ridgerunner]

If a broody hen was raising the chicks, they would be eating them about as soon as she took them off the nest. If they were too large for the chicks to eat, she’d break them into small pieces for them. As long as the chicks have grit, they can eat them without a problem.

I would not overfeed the chicks on the veggies however. A small amount won’t hurt them and could be good for them, but how fast a chick grows is limited by how much volume it can eat. For the first four weeks or so, if you are providing all its food, they need to eat mostly chick starter because that is packed with nutrients so they feather out quickly and get a good start in life. After four weeks or so that becomes less of an issue.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

If a broody hen was raising the chicks, they would be eating them about as soon as she took them off the nest. If they were too large for the chicks to eat, she’d break them into small pieces for them. As long as the chicks have grit, they can eat them without a problem.

I would not overfeed the chicks on the veggies however. A small amount won’t hurt them and could be good for them, but how fast a chick grows is limited by how much volume it can eat. For the first four weeks or so, if you are providing all its food, they need to eat mostly chick starter because that is packed with nutrients so they feather out quickly and get a good start in life. After four weeks or so that becomes less of an issue.

X2

 

[cowhlb]

If a broody hen was raising the chicks, they would be eating them about as soon as she took them off the nest. If they were too large for the chicks to eat, she’d break them into small pieces for them. As long as the chicks have grit, they can eat them without a problem.

I would not overfeed the chicks on the veggies however. A small amount won’t hurt them and could be good for them, but how fast a chick grows is limited by how much volume it can eat. For the first four weeks or so, if you are providing all its food, they need to eat mostly chick starter because that is packed with nutrients so they feather out quickly and get a good start in life. After four weeks or so that becomes less of an issue.

Thanks for your reply! I went ahead and gave them some.

 

[blackwpk]

We have TONS of tomatoes: Roma, Early Girl, etc. Our chicks are 6wks old now, on chick starter/grower as much as they can eat and wondered if I take the seeds and skin out/off the tomatoes if they can have them. I had read in another thread that they need to be much older to be able to eat the tomato seeds.
My question, can they have them??

 

[Den in Penn]

We have TONS of tomatoes: Roma, Early Girl, etc. Our chicks are 6wks old now, on chick starter/grower as much as they can eat and wondered if I take the seeds and skin out/off the tomatoes if they can have them. I had read in another thread that they need to be much older to be able to eat the tomato seeds.
My question, can they have them??

Yes they can eat them. Don't bother removing the skin and seeds. If they have grit they can handle them easily.

 

[blackwpk]

Okay, thank you. I was told that they can't have chick grit until they are 16wks, or at least that's what it says on the package. They are 8wks now.

 

[CrazyTalk]

Okay, thank you. I was told that they can't have chick grit until they are 16wks, or at least that's what it says on the package. They are 8wks now.

You sure you're not misreading the package? I've got mine off of chick grit and onto regular sized adult grit well before 16 weeks.

 

[blackwpk]

Nope, it specifically stated 16wks. A friend of mine has stated the same thing as well. Then when they are about 18wks to start them on calcium as it is close to time for them to start laying.

 

[CrazyTalk]

Just checked Manapro's site, and they recommend their chick grit from 2 weeks - 8 weeks, and their adult grit from 8 weeks on. So if the company you're using says 16 weeks + for chick grit, they're way outside the norm.