When can i start feeding newborn chicks?

[Finn's Mom]

Elmo the blender is a great idea! I looked at the game bird starter and the size of my keets and gave them the chick starter because I just couldn't get the ratio of bird to food for the first week.
Thanks Bantam_n00b for the questions -- I've learned a lot from the answers of good questions like yours. Good luck!

 

[Finn's Mom]

It froze and then posted double, sorry.

 

[bantam_n00b]

No problem finn's mom. Now i just hope nothing happens because tonight might rain and its getting pretty chilly here. Hope this cold front goes away. Also does anyone know anything about my question earlier? Does the nutrition of a hen effect the chicks when they hatch? Meaning, does what i feed the hen before and during she lay eggs effect the health of the chicks when they hatch? I'm thinking the better the nutrition and food the better the health of the chicks?

 

[tyndall]

My Silkie hen just hatched 2 of her 3 eggs. The nesting box is about 4" off the floor. My question is how will they ever get out of the box (and back in for that matter) to get to the food and water? And my hen is so young I don't think she's interested in teaching them anything. What should I do?

 

[aggiemae]

I agree that you could grind or crush the feed but they can handle it either way. Do make sure they are drinking, I'd dip their beaks once and watch them for a while to make sure. Change the feed out every day and change the water several times a day since chicks are probably going to poop in both.

 

[RonC]

I give mine dampened feed as a treat, just don't give them more than they can eat in a short period. It does mold really quickly.

 

[Animal Lover123]

When do you start to feed them after they hatch

 

[PapaChaz]

if you think the food is too big for them, run it through a coffee or spice grinder