What are some good treats in addition to my Mana Chick starter?

[artvandolay]

Hello all,

I have several chicks hatching over the next couple of days. The Seramas have been the first to hatch yesterday and today.

They only peck at the chick starter but it doesn't look like they are eating much if it since their beaks are so small. They're probably breaking tiny pieces off, but it is hard to see.

They don't seem much interested in the water yet, so I was thinking of giving them some greens to eat just in case to make up for the fluids too.

What treats with water in them would be good for them right after putting them in the brooder?

TIA

 

[DobieLover]

Hello all,

I have several chicks hatching over the next couple of days. The Seramas have been the first to hatch yesterday and today.

They only peck at the chick starter but it doesn't look like they are eating much if it since their beaks are so small. They're probably breaking tiny pieces off, but it is hard to see.

They don't seem much interested in the water yet, so I was thinking of giving them some greens to eat just in case to make up for the fluids too.

What treats with water in them would be good for them right after putting them in the brooder?

TIA

Make a mash out of the starter and feed them that. It will need to be "fluffed up" frequently as they will walk in it and smash it down.
You don't want to literally start out feeding them anything but a complete balanced diet.

 

[artvandolay]

Make a mash out of the starter and feed them that. It will need to be "fluffed up" frequently as they will walk in it and smash it down.
You don't want to literally start out feeding them anything but a complete balanced diet.

How do you make a mash? I thought you can buy mash vs crumbles.

I bought the Mana Chick Starter with and without medication and will mix the two.

https://www.mannapro.com/poultry/chick-feed/chick-starter-grower-non-medicated

 

[DobieLover]

You make a mash out of pellets or crumble or dry mash by adding water, letting it swell then mixing it and adding more water or more dry to get a good consistency then feed.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The Seramas have been the first to hatch yesterday and today.

They only peck at the chick starter but it doesn't look like they are eating much They don't seem much interested in the water yet

Before they hatch they absorb the yolk. They can live off of that yolk for over 72 hours before they need to eat or drink. While they can eat and drink during that time and it is good to offer them something don't read anything into them not eating and drinking a lot. They just don't want to yet. And it may not take much to satisfy them if they do eat or drink something.

If a few are eating or drinking a bit (and it sounds like they are) then they know how. Any that don't know how should learn from the ones that do.

What treats with water in them would be good for them right after putting them in the brooder?

Chick starter, whether in crumble or mash form. It's common to wet mash to form a paste. You can do that with crumble too. These are tiny Seramas. Some of the crumbles are likely too big for them to handle dry. Making a paste out of the crumbles is probably a good idea. I have used a blender to reduce the size of the crumbles but don't turn them into a powder unless you are going to make them into a paste. Each chick is different and broods vary but from what I've seen most of mine prefer bits over powder.

Do not feed greens or anything else they need to grind up until they have had grit. You can buy chick grit or let them peck at dirt to get their own.

 

[artvandolay]

Before they hatch they absorb the yolk. They can live off of that yolk for over 72 hours before they need to eat or drink. While they can eat and drink during that time and it is good to offer them something don't read anything into them not eating and drinking a lot. They just don't want to yet. And it may not take much to satisfy them if they do eat or drink something.

If a few are eating or drinking a bit (and it sounds like they are) then they know how. Any that don't know how should learn from the ones that do.


Chick starter, whether in crumble or mash form. It's common to wet mash to form a paste. You can do that with crumble too. These are tiny Seramas. Some of the crumbles are likely too big for them to handle dry. Making a paste out of the crumbles is probably a good idea. I have used a blender to reduce the size of the crumbles but don't turn them into a powder unless you are going to make them into a paste. Each chick is different and broods vary but from what I've seen most of mine prefer bits over powder.

Do not feed greens or anything else they need to grind up until they have had grit. You can buy chick grit or let them peck at dirt to get their own.

Thanks. They are eating now. I did may a mash from the crumbles by wetting it and turning it into a paste and they all seem to prefer that right now. They do peck and like to break apart the crumbles, so I will do both for the time being and let them choose.

Their nesting material is coarse grit sand so they can eat from that I suppose. I haven't bought grit yet or given them oyster shells yet since they are too young for that I think.

Do they need grit though or would the sand be enough?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

If all they are eating is chicken feed then they don't need grit. They certainly don't need oyster shell until they are laying eggs in six months.

Depending on your run situation when you get them outside they likely won't need grit then either as they will pick up pebbles from the soil. Birds use grit as teeth to coarse grind rough food. As you noted already chicken feed turns to mush with just water, no grinding needed. Once they are older and you treat them to kitchen scraps that's when they make use of stone.

 

[artvandolay]

If all they are eating is chicken feed then they don't need grit. They certainly don't need oyster shell until they are laying eggs in six months.

Depending on your run situation when you get them outside they likely won't need grit then either as they will pick up pebbles from the soil. Birds use grit as teeth to coarse grind rough food. As you noted already chicken feed turns to mush with just water, no grinding needed. Once they are older and you treat them to kitchen scraps that's when they make use of stone.

Thanks.

I have read that they need both grit and oyster shells, but yes not until they are laying eggs. We feed our chickens their own shells for the calcium but I may start using oyster shells.

Grit is for grinding.
Oyster shells are for calcium and harder eggs

These chicks will get mash or crumbles but I did hear there is grit for chicks that people use. I was wondering if I needed it since they're in sand bedding, not shavings.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I have read that they need both grit and oyster shells, but yes not until they are laying eggs. We feed our eggs their own shells for the calcium but I may start using oyster shells.

Chickens can get calcium from different sources, depending on how they are fed. Some plants, creepy crawlies they find and catch, or even your native rock if it is something like limestone in addition to what is in their feed. They all need some calcium for body maintenance plus the laying hens need a lot more for the egg shells. They don't digest all of the calcium they eat, some goes straight through and out the rear end.

If the only calcium they were getting was from their eggshells that would be a losing proposition. But it is not. Let your eggshells tell you if they are getting enough calcium from all sources combined. If the shells are thick and hard you are doing OK. If they are thin or soft you need more calcium.

There is nothing wrong with offering oyster shells on the side. If they need them or prefer them they will eat them. If they are getting what they need for other sources the oyster shells may last for years.

Grit is for grinding.
Oyster shells are for calcium and harder eggs

These chicks will get mash or crumbles but I did hear there is grit for chicks that people use. I was wondering if I needed it since they're in sand bedding, not shavings.

You can get chick grit if you want, but with coarse sand you should not need it. Or let them peck at the ground. They will find their own grit there.