When can my chicks go outside for part of the day? Confused

[Elven Dreams]

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flapping warm weather in your direction. BRRRR!!!

 

[breezy]

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flapping warm weather in your direction. BRRRR!!!

Bless you!!!

 

[gritsar]

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Not if that's the only thing they are eating. Once you start other foods, veggies or bugs or anything that needs "grinding" it's a good idea to start the grit then.

 

[hensintheghetto]

I took a few of my chicks outside today (they will be 2 weeks old tomorrow). They pecked around a bit, ate some ants, and then started peeping and wanting to be held. It was around 70 degrees out, so maybe a bit cold for them?

 

[Busymama]

I'm also very new, and I know this is pathetic... I'm asking y'all to hold my hand here, but should I feed the parakeet grit only on the days I take the babies outside since they're pecking at everything? With 9 babies should it be a tablespoon total each day or less or more? I'm so glad I'm reading this because the feed store never mentioned grit. They assured me I was ready to go. Oye vey.

And what is scratch? Is that much different than regular chicken food? I heard scratch was only for winter... is this true? I guess I have an image in my head of me going outside to the chickens and reaching into my apron pocket and grabbing a handful of scratch or whatever to throw for them.

 

[guesswhatchickenbutt]

boy BusyMama - do I ever feel your pain! LOL! It's sooo tough when you're staring at these chicks and what's common sense to everyone else just doesn't "feel" like common sense to people new to chickens. I've had dogs my entire life and everything to do with raising dogs and puppies feels like such common sense to me. But chickens - that's a whole different ballgame. I get when to feed dogs and what to feed them and when they can go out and when they should stay in - LOL. Chickens - no clue. I'm reading online like a maniac and I bought two chicken books too, but the day-to-day details just aren't spelled out.

So yeah - I totally get the questions. Totally.

For me - I'm going to the TSC today and I'll pick up more chick starter and some chick grit. I can't make it all the way to a pet store today for parakeet grit so I'll get chick grit since it's easier to come by. I plan on taking the girls outside everyday for a short field trip, so I'll sprinkle on a tablespoon full of chick grit on their food everyday. I suppose when we go on vacation (when they're about 5 weeks old) and they'll be in their coop during that time (a full week ) I'll ask our pet-sitters to put a little grit in a feeder for them since I'm hoping we can introduce some "real" treats at that age.... although I have no clue at what age you can start introducing these real treats.

Have you seen the BYC Treat Chart? It's amazing and if you search for it, you'll find it and you can save it to your compy.... I just don't get when it's okay to start most of these things.

And scratch? I've heard it makes chickens hot so it's only good for winter, but what about those of us living in Florida? Does that mean our chickens never get scratch? Do I never get to chuck a handful of scratch at my sun-worshipping chickens? See.... the questions for a newbie never end.... sigh.

 

[Judy]

Well, I raised a batch last year before I discovered BYC. We had chickens when I was a kid, and I had a couple of flocks about 20 years ago, so I just did what I remembered. I'm sure this batch is better off for BYC information -- but the last batch grew up just fine, too, even though I have changed several things.

And even on BYC there is lots of variation. I started a few treats at 2 weeks, but others will say not for several more weeks. I think what is important is that treats be a small percentage of their total diet. Even though I am in the South, I give a little scratch year round, because they love it. But I do give a little more late in the day when it is going to be cold that night.

In the end, we gather what information we can, then do what feels best for us.

 

[Elven Dreams]

I plan on taking the girls outside everyday for a short field trip, so I'll sprinkle on a tablespoon full of chick grit on their food everyday. I suppose when we go on vacation (when they're about 5 weeks old) and they'll be in their coop during that time (a full week ) I'll ask our pet-sitters to put a little grit in a feeder for them since I'm hoping we can introduce some "real" treats at that age.... although I have no clue at what age you can start introducing these real treats.

I've started taking mine out so am heading to the store today to pick up some grit for them. Where their tractor is has some sandy spots but not really much sand.. more Carolina Red Clay! I started offering mine plain yogurt the day the came home. I offered them teeny little apple bits this past week and they LOOOVE them! Eat them right out of my hand. So I definitely need to get them on grit! I totally forgot to pick some up at the feed store the other day... thank heavens for my BYC addiction, great reminders!

And scratch? I've heard it makes chickens hot so it's only good for winter, but what about those of us living in Florida? Does that mean our chickens never get scratch? Do I never get to chuck a handful of scratch at my sun-worshipping chickens? See.... the questions for a newbie never end.... sigh.

I had this same question... I'm still not sure what I'll end up doing. Last year we had two banty roosters set up housekeeping in the barn ... they belonged to my neighbor.. I bought some scratch and offered it to them.. some days they would eat it and some days not... I don't know if they got too hot and backed off their feed those days or what.... I think I'll probably give some to mine mainly in the winter.. it gets chilly here!

It's all a great big learning process!!​

 

[wings]

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I never gave mine grit and I haven't had any problems. If they have access to dirt/sand, they'll get what they need.

 

[JennsPeeps]

GRIT - I give mine a little bowl of grit whenever I feel like it. I'm currently out of grit, so they'll have to find dirt outside. If you put a bowl down the babaies will go nuts for it. It's kind of weird.

SCRATCH - scratch is essentially chocolate for chickens. They don't need it - it's just a treat. Many people use it as a way to give the chickens something to do or to get them to scratch around in a certain area (insta-weeders!).