When can I start giving chicks grit and treats?

[kellgirl360]

I am getting 6 Speckled Sussex chicks today and I want to know when they can start having grit and treats? Also, do I give them grit in moderation or free choice? Thanks.

 

[chickenchick29]

I read that chicks can have "Chick Grit" starting at 3 days. I give it to mine as a free choice next to their feed.

 

[gander007]

Normally I wait till week two but to each their own methods or choice....

But I just sprinkle some on the floor of the brooder and let them play with it

 

[jgarner1327]

I just bought 4 baby chicks yesterday, 2 Black Australopes and 2 Buff Orpingtons, and have some questions. They have a couple tiny feathers on their wings, that's it. First, when can I start giving them grit? Can they eat a blueberry if I cut it in half? And will they peck at it and is it safe for such young babies? I am giving them a chick starter feed - should I wet it? Thanks for any help.

 

[Sally PB]

Chick starter feed has everything they need in it, including grit of appropriate size. You do not need to give them anything else. As a treat, wet some of the feed into a mash. That's what I did for my babies last March, and they went crazy for it. I put it in my palm, and when they ate it, it was like getting tapped with a bunch of dull pencils. Fun for them and for me.

Resist the temptation to give them anything else for a couple of weeks. Then get some chick grit for them if you want to give them something besides their feed.

Enjoy your chicks! They are so cute at this age. Take a lot of pictures to remember how cute they are.

 

[Aapomp831]

No chick grit until they start foraging outside or when you give them treats in 6 to 8 weeks .... chick starter is al you should give them for now.

 

[jgarner1327]

Chick starter feed has everything they need in it, including grit of appropriate size. You do not need to give them anything else. As a treat, wet some of the feed into a mash. That's what I did for my babies last March, and they went crazy for it. I put it in my palm, and when they ate it, it was like getting tapped with a bunch of dull pencils. Fun for them and for me.

Resist the temptation to give them anything else for a couple of weeks. Then get some chick grit for them if you want to give them something besides their feed.

Enjoy your chicks! They are so cute at this age. Take a lot of pictures to remember how cute they are.

Thank you. We are having very cold weather right now and I'm worried if we have a power failure, I'll have to put them in my bra!

 

[jgarner1327]

I just bought 4 baby chicks yesterday, 2 Black Australopes and 2 Buff Orpingtons, and have some questions. They have a couple tiny feathers on their wings, that's it. First, when can I start giving them grit? Can they eat a blueberry if I cut it in half? And will they peck at it and is it safe for such young babies? I am giving them a chick starter feed - should I wet it? Thanks for any help.

 

[jgarner1327]

The instructions on the bag of chick grit says to start at two weeks and they can graduate to adult grit after 8-10 weeks. Sand is too small, won't work.
Now, what about treats like fruit? When do you start?

 

[jgarner1327]

The instructions on the bag of chick grit says to start at two weeks and they can graduate to adult grit after 8-10 weeks. Sand is too small, won't work.
Now, what about treats like fruit? When do you start?

I just put a small bowl of chick grit in their cage and they tried it right away.