What can I add to a brooder?

[Justicedog]

Hi,
My chicks are 1 week, 6 days and 2 days old. They're digging and scratching in their brooder bin. I only have the medicated chick starter and water in there. I did give them some dried mealy worms I'd pulled out of my older chicken's treats. Is there anything I can sprinkle in they can search for? I have a stick in there, I'm going to try to make some perches with dowels and leftover wood. Any other thoughts to keep them entertained? I'm thinking of heading to the bird aisle of a pet store and see what may be there.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

Get them some grit if you fed them mealworms. They will need help to digest that.

 

[chickentrains]

grit, a chick brick, some bird toys (like mirrors), some hide houses (like the ones for rabbits would work great), veggie skewers, chicken swings, foraging toys, like this: https://rb.gy/n0s7fm , and this https://rb.gy/0rhljm or this https://rb.gy/hnh72a (put treats inside), a sand bath

thats what I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[rosemarythyme]

A clump of grass with roots and dirt from a clean area of the lawn (no fertilizers etc) would be great for them to dig at and explore.