What's a good age to start sparingly feeding treats to chicks???

[amartinlb]

Some of my chicks are over a month old now (3 weeks old when we bought them two weeks ago, others are still just around 2-3weeks old) and I was wondering what would be a good age to feed them treats other than their medicated chick feed?

And also, how small would the treats have to be (or how small do I make the treats) for them to eat and properly digest it? And how often could I feed? And any ideas for treats to start off with? I was thinking bread crumbs, cooked rice, etc, to start with.

-Anna

 

[Sequin]

I would think your older chicks would enjoy a little treat. If you are not already providing them with grit, I would offer them grit with the new treat to help with digestion. I have been offering my month old chicks a little bit of scratch(ground corn, wheat, sunflower seeds) with grit once in a while, and now they really look for me to come to the brooder pen. My younger chicks are doing really well, but I am always being so cautious, so I am holding off in offering them extra until they are a little older.

 

[amartinlb]

Oh, what about shelled sunflower seeds? We have a 40lb bag of it intended for wild birds. Or is shelled sunflower seeds too tough for them to crack open?

 

[amartinlb]

Quote:
What size grit should I get and how much should I mix in their feeder? Currently all of them are eating out of the same feeder so would the grit be harmful to the younger ones if they decide to eat it?

-Anna

 

[Sequin]

I personally have not fed shelled sunflower seeds(not for any particular reason, I just haven't tried it out yet), but I know that some have. I cannot see any harm in offering it and watching their reaction. Might be picture worthy!

hee hee hee... But, like I said previously, I am always erring on the side of caution, so I would start out with a few seeds and watch them and see if they shell them or not before trying to eat them. Then go from there. My hens LOVE bananas, so you might try a little banana, or apple sauce. That might be fun too. Happy treating!!!

 

[Sequin]

Some people offer grit free choice. I only offer grit when feeding new treats, or when my birds don't have access to scratching outside for food. From what I have learned, chick starter feed has the grit needed for chicks to digest their food properly already included. I will mix a little chick grit(that I bought at the feed store, not the pet store)with the treat itself and offer it that way. But if you want to offer it mixed in the feed it will not harm your chicks, older or younger. Same with if you want to offer it free choice, it is fine for all your chicks to have.