What treats are good for baby chicks?

[Chickadee13542]

hi I have 4 day old chicks and was wondering if there is any treat I can give them? Or should I just let them eat chick starter for now?

 

[canalcolt]

hi I have 4 day old chicks and was wondering if there is any treat I can give them? Or should I just let them eat chick starter for now?

I have seen baby hot cakes at tractor supply store but have never tried it . I always just feed chick starter and grit.

 

[Dayrel]

Definitely keep them primarily on chick starter. It should be a good balanced formula, that will help their digestive systems fully adjust to the type of food they will be eating for a lifetime.

That said, you can offer small amounts (< 10%) treats. I like to start with crumbled scrambled egg or hard boiled egg yolks. That is what they started life with and are well adapted to the nutrients there. Also, mine went nuts for it.

 

[Izzychicky]

I started giving mine treats after a few weeks and they went crazy over grapes cut in half

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Chick starter really is the best.

I avoid treats for a very long time. But if I am going to offer anything it is usually a little scrambled egg. It does have good vitamins and minerals, but only about 12% protein and I think 30% fat.

I eventually (closer to 6 weeks) might add in a few meal worms or red wigglers, but they need some sort of grit.

Instead, I might bring in a plug of grass/dirt from your yard which will give some grit.. but it will also provide enrichment and an opportunity for the chick to build some immunity to the stuff that's in your soil while it still has a high immunity as well. It works a lot better than tossing them out full time with no exposure or immunity.

Pics always welcome!

 

[chickens really]

Hello...You can give them small treats every few days..Just provide granite grit when feeding treats too..Chicks like cucumber, Broccoli, mashed Peas..Apple, strawberries..
Just don't give everyday...

 

[Chickadee13542]

Thanks

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Outside of perhaps hard boiled eggs well crumbled with DRY old fashioned or ROLLED oat meal there are no acceptable treats that are GOOD for 4 day old baby chicks. However chickens grow like weeds and by 7 days of age baby chicks will start eating or trying to eat whole kernels of corn and hulled oats. Let them be chickens, it is their nature but keep chick starter in front of them.

 

[Acre4Me]

pics really are welcome

 

[downsfarm]

My chicks LOVED those 'baby treat sticks' at Orschlen's / Tractor Supply. They are a bit pricey but it gave them something to do while stuck inside in a brooder.