What to do if chicks/ducklings have been fed veggies for several weeks without access to grit?

[Mirrium]

The post just above yours would seem to disagree:

I own 6 of the chicks (the original 6) the rest are their birds that I was told to care for since I'm already caring for these. I hope that clears it up, sorry about any confusion

 

[NatJ]

I own 6 of the chicks (the original 6) the rest are their birds that I was told to care for since I'm already caring for these. I hope that clears it up, sorry about any confusion

That does make it more clear. Thank you for explaining!

I can see why telling them to just leave the birds alone is not really an option, if the birds are technically theirs

 

[Mirrium]

That does make it more clear. Thank you for explaining!

I can see why telling them to just leave the birds alone is not really an option, if the birds are technically theirs

Yeah but even with my chicks they simply do not care for boundaries, its really tough. I had mil burst into my room at 2 in the morning recently then just stare at me for a while before demanding to see their birds so even common sense boundaries don't work in this situation

 

[FrostRanger]

I completely agree though I hate to say it. I don't think I'd ever be able to relax knowing they have unrestricted access to children...
Their 1st batch of ducks from last year were left in awful conditions and handled so recklessly that almost all were eaten by one of their dogs. On top of that the one that did survive didn't live much longer due to the fact they'd been feeding them medicated chick crumbles and foodscraps with no grit their whole lives. When they found out why the duckling had passed they had the nerve to blame the tractor supply worker for not telling them that the ducklings couldn't have medicated crumbles...

Uh, that should have been something they researched beforehand. It's not tractor supply's job to explain everything. Why in the world are they so against grit? It's cheap and prevents needless illness and death. There's literally no reason for them not to provide at least a little grit especially since they're providing scraps. If they did even basic research they would know that while you technically don't need to provide grit if they're eating nothing but starter, they need it if they eat anything else. If they won't even research basic care they shouldn't have animals

 

[Mirrium]

Uh, that should have been something they researched beforehand. It's not tractor supply's job to explain everything. Why in the world are they so against grit? It's cheap and prevents needless illness and death. There's literally no reason for them not to provide at least a little grit especially since they're providing scraps. If they did even basic research they would know that while you technically don't need to provide grit if they're eating nothing but starter, they need it if they eat anything else. If they won't even research basic care they shouldn't have animals

My thoughts exactly ^

 

[FrostRanger]

Yeah but even with my chicks they simply do not care for boundaries, its really tough. I had mil burst into my room at 2 in the morning recently then just stare at me for a while before demanding to see their birds so even common sense boundaries don't work in this situation

Yikes! If they're worried about their birds they should go look in on them themselves, not wake you up for no good reason. They sound completely unhinged

Hang in there and try not to let them drive you too crazy as hard as it may be and good luck with your own birds

 

[Mirrium]

Sorry that this thread has accidentally become a complaints thread about

Yikes! If they're worried about their birds they should go look in on them themselves, not wake you up for no good reason. They sound completely unhinged

Hang in there and try not to let them drive you too crazy as hard as it may be and good luck with your own birds

Trying my best haha

 

[FrostRanger]

Sorry that this thread has accidentally become a complaints thread about

Trying my best haha

No worries, sometimes you just need to vent especially when dealing with that nonsense

 

[Mirrium]

No worries, sometimes you just need to vent especially when dealing with that nonsense

I messed up that post up so bad lol

 

[Fussy]

Just found out that people have been feeding my birds foodstuffs for the past few weeks and I'm very concerned because my Buff Orpington chicks have started losing weight.
They've been fed celery and cabbage (that they remembered) and say its fine because they feed them stuff all the time. These chicks have never had access to grit because I am their carer and I was completely unaware of the need for it.
For reference I am home with them 6 days a week at most I am out of the house for an hour a day to run errands which means they are specifically feeding them when I'm gone.
What can be done? Is it too late to give them grit? We don't have any on hand do I've just scooped up a tub of sand and small rocks for them and I'm hoping it will help until I can get some actual grit for them. Any ideas welcome

Let these people know that it is NOT ok to feed chickens celery unless it is finely diced. the strings can get caught in their craw. Myself, I would not allow them to feed MY pet chickens at all.