What should I do?

[sjango]

Baby chick metabolism is so interesting! :0

 

[hugjen]

Chickadilly, I'm also a first time chicken momma his spring. Much of my reading suggested herbs are a good first treat. My chicks have gone crazy for the yellow dandelion flower petals I've tossed in. I pinch off the green base to separate the petals and scatter them around so they can hunt and scratch for them. I've also thinly snipped some other soft herbs- mint, oregano, & basil. They especially like the pineapple mint.

I did order some Chick Grit on Amazon and offered that in a small lid a day or two before starting the herbs.

Hope that gives you some more ideas. Good luck with your chicks!

 

[getaclue]

When chicks are being raised in a brooder, it's best to feed them chick feed only, for at least 2 weeks. It's not about them being able to eat the treats, but about nutrition. Chicks can only eat so much in a day. Chick feed is designed to meet their nutritional needs for optimum growth, and health. Offering treats at such an early age, which is not optimal for their nutritional needs, reduces the amount of feed they will eat.

 

[Cindy in PA]

I have always read that it is good to give chicks some grit after the first couple of days. I put it on their food like you are salting it, just a little at a time. Even if you are only feeding starter feed, they may eat some bedding depending on what you are using.

 

[getaclue]

When my chicks get to be a few weeks old, I put some of the fine grit in a pile for a few days, in their brooder box. They seem to like eating it, and after several days, I know they have enough to do the job.

 

[El Paso Linda]

OK---maybe I mis-read or did not understand your post----are these chicks being raised by a broody hen or in a brooder. Sure broody hens feed the chicks what ever she wants----the chicks are usually on the dirt so they get grit from that.

But still my grown chickens will not eat lettuce, but I rarely give them any----Collards----they will stampede you for them.

My chickens love Romaine lettuce.

 

[Mamatomany123]

As others have said, chicks dont need anything other than chick feed. My bigger girls love lettuce. If you want to give your chicks a treat you can make a mash with the chick feed and water. Theyll love it I feed my girls fermented feed and they go crazy for it I also provide a bowl of dirt from outside. I've never provided grit for my chickens. By providing the dirt I teach them early to find it in the soil BUT we have very rocky soil. If you dont then that obviously wouldnt work.