When Can They Have Greens?

[AccentOnHakes]

Of course, they will have grit, but when can they have greens? BYC page says it may give them pasty butt if introduced too early, but when is it safe?

 

[gritsar]

I didn't actually give my chicks greens until they were about a month old, but they were on the ground at 2 1/2 weeks, so of course they were finding their own sort of greens.
The first treats I ever gave mine were crickets, chopped hard boiled egg and yogurt.

 

[KDbeads]

Quote:
Pasty butt? Really? I've dumped weeds/grass in with mine at 3 days old. NO problems. But then again I ignore all these rules about what they can have when since mother hens take them out to scratch and feed on a large number of 'bad things' soon after they all hatch.

 

[cmom]

For their first month the chick feed has all the nutrients they need. I didn't start treats until they were around 3/4 weeks old.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Pasty butt? Really? I've dumped weeds/grass in with mine at 3 days old. NO problems. But then again I ignore all these rules about what they can have when since mother hens take them out to scratch and feed on a large number of 'bad things' soon after they all hatch.

I'm with you on that one. I thought pasty butt was incorrect temps. and shipping stress.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

I start my chicks on finely chopped green feed at a week old. You could probably start them the first day if you want to, but I prefer to do it at one week. After the first week I start chopping it more coarsely until finely I don't chop it for them at all but simply give it to them as-is.

.....Alan.

 

[rooster0209]

Quote:
Pasty butt? Really? I've dumped weeds/grass in with mine at 3 days old. NO problems. But then again I ignore all these rules about what they can have when since mother hens take them out to scratch and feed on a large number of 'bad things' soon after they all hatch.

That is my thinking too. I am raising chickens like in the "olden days" on our farm. I have chickens all over the yard and they get into almost everything. I think i caught one eating cat poop the other day.

 

[AccentOnHakes]

Quote:
Pasty butt? Really? I've dumped weeds/grass in with mine at 3 days old. NO problems. But then again I ignore all these rules about what they can have when since mother hens take them out to scratch and feed on a large number of 'bad things' soon after they all hatch.

That is my thinking too. I am raising chickens like in the "olden days" on our farm. I have chickens all over the yard and they get into almost everything. I think i caught one eating cat poop the other day.

The feed is a complete food - no other food is necessary. However, feeding your chicks treats can be fun. After the first week or two, you can give them a worm or a bug or two from your garden to play with and eat. Greens are not recommended because they can cause diarrhea-like symptoms. When droppings are loose, a condition may develop called "pasting up", where droppings stick to the vent area and harden up, preventing the chick from eliminating. Check the chicks for pasting often - if you see this, clean off the vent area (you can use a moist towel or even some mineral oil)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-first60days.html

 

[andalusn]

With two hens that hatched eggs recently I have become more of an observer regarding the rearing of peeps

after a week of staying nestled in her coop with the peeps she then took them to the green space by the coop to sample dirt and who knows what. I noticed them sampling the grass and now at 4 weeks they are in the yard starting to scratch an peck at the grass like the more mature birds but their main source of feed is still the pen where the feeders are stocked with chick starter. All I am really doiing is offering and mother nature is really at work here.

 

[KDbeads]

Quote:
That is my thinking too. I am raising chickens like in the "olden days" on our farm. I have chickens all over the yard and they get into almost everything. I think i caught one eating cat poop the other day.

The feed is a complete food - no other food is necessary. However, feeding your chicks treats can be fun. After the first week or two, you can give them a worm or a bug or two from your garden to play with and eat. Greens are not recommended because they can cause diarrhea-like symptoms. When droppings are loose, a condition may develop called "pasting up", where droppings stick to the vent area and harden up, preventing the chick from eliminating. Check the chicks for pasting often - if you see this, clean off the vent area (you can use a moist towel or even some mineral oil)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-first60days.html

FYI.... broody hens don't and have never, since they evolved and/or were created, ran to the store to buy 'complete feed' and fed only that to their brood. As of yet, for the record, I have never seen pasting up or pasty butt or loose abnormal stool because my chicks ate grass before whatever schedule says they are supposed to.

Yes if it's the only thing you are feeding them it's a problem but sheesh, it's not against the law of nature to let them have some.

And let's not get me started on the idea of 'complete feed'..........

To the OP, my apologies for causing any problems on your thread!