What Are Good Treats For Baby Chicks?

[ManuelsChickens]

My chickens have access to plenty of natural dirt, so I have never supplied purchased grit for them. If I am raising small chicks inside I put some earth in their feed tray (the native soil here has plenty of small rock particles). 

That's why in my earlier post I specifically mentioned feeding chicks WHOLE plants with the DIRT still on the roots. I did this for my last batch of chicks and they were far more interested in the dirty roots than in eating the leaves of the plants.

My Muscovy ducks like to hang out together in the gravel driveway at least once a day and "eat" lots of tiny rocks.

So I Should Just Give Them Whole Plants With Dirt On The Roots Instead Of Grit ?

 

[ManuelsChickens]

Also When Can I Start Giving Them The Plants And When Do I Stop Giving Them Grit And Start Giving Them Treats ?

 

[chickencoop789]

So I Should Just Give Them Whole Plants With Dirt On The Roots Instead Of Grit ?

Also When Can I Start Giving Them The Plants And When Do I Stop Giving Them Grit And Start Giving Them Treats ?

You can start to give chicks plants and treats at around 4 weeks of age, but you have to give them grit before the treats. They should always get grit when they start to free range. They will eat all of the bugs and plants they can find, but they might not decide to pick up rocks. You can probably just give them the dirt on the plants and let them find little pebbles when they are outside. That is the next best thing to grit.

 

[ManuelsChickens]

You can start to give chicks plants and treats at around 4 weeks of age, but you have to give them grit before the treats. They should always get grit when they start to free range. They will eat all of the bugs and plants they can find, but they might not decide to pick up rocks. You can probably just give them the dirt on the plants and let them find little pebbles when they are outside. That is the next best thing to grit.

Oh Okay, Thanks For The Helpful Advice.

 

[capstone]

we have had a lot of fun trying out new foods with the chicks. Our babies are 5 weeks old now, I take them outside when the weather permits (we have been in the 100s for weeks now). So far they have tried: sweet corn on the cob, corn worms(love these little buggers), grapes, apples, carrot tops, potatos, fruit cocktail, pasta, and bananas.. they love bananas.

my daughter thinks they need toys.. I keep telling her they dont play with toys. Please tell me I am right.

 

[ManuelsChickens]

we have had a lot of fun trying out new foods with the chicks. Our babies are 5 weeks old now, I take them outside when the weather permits (we have been in the 100s for weeks now). So far they have tried: sweet corn on the cob, corn worms(love these little buggers), grapes, apples, carrot tops, potatos, fruit cocktail, pasta, and bananas.. they love bananas.

my daughter thinks they need toys.. I keep telling her they dont play with toys. Please tell me I am right.

I don't think they need toys, I mean how would they play with toys? And when did you start taking your baby chicks outside?

 

[katssmilin]

Our chicks are 8 weeks old and they love yogurt. They don't seem to care for dried meal worms and they love to eat clover and pig ears from the yard. I pull up the pig ears and hold tight and let them pull off the size they can eat. My 3 older hens love oatmeal too so I'm gonna try the chicks and see how they like it. As for toys there was a post here (not in this thread) where a guy took a Gatorade bottle and drilled holes in the top and filled it with scratch. The older chickens love rolling it around to get the scratch out. Don't know if the chicks would catch onto this though. This is a great forum you'll learn alot here. Good Luck

 

[capstone]

*laughing* my daughter thinks everything needs toys. I just figured I would ask you guys.

I started taking mine outside for about an hour at a time when they were 4 weeks old. It has been so misserably hot here that even under a shade tree they get hot and start holding their beaks open and laying on their sides. I was afraid they would get too hot, they are used to air conditioning after all . so when if I have time in the mornings when it is a bit cooler I take them out to a pen I made under the tree. Problem is they like to sit on moms lap so they have quickly learned that they can fly over the fence and up on my lap. goofey birds

 

[ManuelsChickens]

*laughing*   my daughter thinks everything needs toys.   I just figured I would ask you guys.

I started taking mine outside for about an hour at a time when they were 4 weeks old.   It has been so misserably hot here that even under a shade tree they get hot and start holding their beaks open and laying on their sides.  I was afraid they would get too hot, they are used to air conditioning after all .   so when if I have time in the mornings when it is a bit cooler I take them out to a pen I made under the tree.   Problem is they like to sit on moms lap so they have quickly learned that they can fly over the fence and up on my lap.  goofey birds

Lol! That's So Adorable! Also Do They Follow You everywhere ?
Cans Are They Obidient?

 

[kwhit]

Can the course sand or grit be your average back yard dirt?? As long as you know there are no chemicals in it?