When can we start feeding whole grains?

[LateSeptember]

I'm a bit late with this (quite late, actually), but if the question was about wheat grain, they can already eat it at 7 days or less. Last year I had to go to a business trip when our chicks were only 3-4 days old. I gave instructions to my partner to grind the grain, but when I came home after 3 days, there was whole wheat scattered in their box. My partner said he just gave them whole grain (too lazy to grind). Chicks were totally fine. They had grit, of course.

In the first few days, I mostly feed them hard-boiled eggs, with the idea that they provide all the nutrients necessary. Chicks are crazy about them. (Now, don't look at me like that - I'm sure they wouldn't mind even if they knew. I've seen young and older chickens gleefully throw themselves at a wounded sibling, once they killed it because I wasn't around to intervene. And hard-boiled eggs didn't even start to develop. Laying hens can happily eat their own eggs if they figure out they are tasty. I've had one who deliberately pecked at a fresh laid egg to break it.)

After first few days, I continue with hard boiled eggs (we have way too many eggs anyway) and take them outside as much as possible so that they eat fresh grass and bugs. I have an old door frame for very young chicks which I lay down on ground and cover with net so that they don't go too far and get lost. I also give them mixed grains (wheat, buckwheat, millet, ground corn and whatever else I find) with ground sunflowers.

Once I bought commercial feed and was quite disgusted with the ingredients listed: cracked soy, cracked corn, synthetic vitamins and medication - not at all balanced if you ask me. I can't imagine how would that be better than fresh grass, bugs, hard boiled eggs and grain mix. All my birds grew up healthy with no nutrition related problems.

wonderful post ty for sharing it - there is a lot of talk about grit - what do wild chickens do for grit - why do domestic chickens need it & what is difference between chick grit & adult grit?

 

[nuthatched]

wonderful post ty for sharing it - there is a lot of talk about grit - what do wild chickens do for grit - why do domestic chickens need it & what is difference between chick grit & adult grit?

Wild birds eat small stones, domestic also eat small stones but since baby chicks are usually inside for a little bit, grit can be provided to aid digestion. The only difference between adult and chick grit is size

 

[Saraheck]

Three weeks. Mine, can consume whole corn at that time. Make certain they are getting their grit.

Hi! I have 5 week old chicks and one of them in in the penguin position.
She is still eating and drinking but I know that position is not a good one.
I grind my grain as well and feed them.. they've been doing just fine but this time around I think I ground it too coarse-
1. is there any way she will bypass this?
2. is there any grit (like sand or something in my backyard or crushed eggshells) I should feed her before she gets a sour crop?
Thank you