What treats to give baby chicks

[Ittybittyschmidtie]

Hi there chickie friends,

We have had our 15 chickens for one week now and I have noticed the chickens are pecking at the cardboard box. I feel like they are bored and need to be provided with some natural elements.

Would it be okay if I gave some grass/dirt with worms to my little friends?
Can I mix dirt and sand together and give ?

I feel like they are ready for nature, however I am not sure if it’s okay.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I would give them a tray with a scoop or two of whatever dirt, grass w/ roots, etc. is in the area that their coop and run will sit on. I wouldn't deliberately put in worms or anything but won't harm them if a couple small bugs make it in.

 

[Ittybittyschmidtie]

I would give them a tray with a scoop or two of whatever dirt, grass w/ roots, etc. is in the area that their coop and run will sit on. I wouldn't deliberately put in worms or anything but won't harm them if a couple small bugs make it in.

Wow thank you so much rosemary!!! I had been stressing all day about this and I am happy to be able to finally give them a little something.

 

[mossyoakpro]

Take some of their food and put it in a pie pan and wet it down like oatmeal...they will spend a long time devouring it....at least mine do!!

 

[MountainWoman73]

You can also scatter a little bit of their feed on the dirt to provide something to hunt for. Seems to make them really happy. Momma hen would have them outside from day 2 or 3, so anything they would find outside, dirt, grass, small insects, is good enrichment.

 

[Ittybittyschmidtie]

Take some of their food and put it in a pie pan and wet it down like oatmeal...they will spend a long time devouring it....at least mine do!!

Thank you I will try this!! Is there a limitation to what I should give?

 

[Ittybittyschmidtie]

You can also scatter a little bit of their feed on the dirt to provide something to hunt for. Seems to make them really happy. Momma hen would have them outside from day 2 or 3, so anything they would find outside, dirt, grass, small insects, is good enrichment.

Thank you! I will try this. Silly question but is there any limitation ? Or just let them Be until they are happy?

 

[MountainWoman73]

Thank you! I will try this. Silly question but is there any limitation ? Or just let them Be until they are happy?

You'll get all sorts of opinions, but I'm pretty relaxed about what chicks eat. As long as they have access to their feed and that's the majority of what they're eating, I'm not fussed about chicks eating anything else they find. The only "rule" is if they're eating anything besides feed, they need access to dirt/grit too. And you've already got that.

 

[Ittybittyschmidtie]

You'll get all sorts of opinions, but I'm pretty relaxed about what chicks eat. As long as they have access to their feed and that's the majority of what they're eating, I'm not fussed about chicks eating anything else they find. The only "rule" is if they're eating anything besides feed, they need access to dirt/grit too. And you've already got that.

This really helped me !! Thank you so much

 

[mossyoakpro]

Thank you I will try this!! Is there a limitation to what I should give?

I just leave it in there until they quit eating....usually 10-15 minutes is plenty.