When can you start feeding chick mealworms/ grit question

[foxtrotters19]

The Buff's will be 4 weeks old tomorrow and the 4 chicks we got from TS are going to be 3 weeks. Can we give them meal worms?

And from what I understand they don't need grit if they are just getting growth and starter feed, right? You start adding grit when you add in treats like meal worms etc... right?

Is sand a good option to use for grit?

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

You add grit with treats yes. Sand won’t cut it as it is too round. You’ll need chick grit which is size 1 grit.

 

[woodmort]

To answer your question #2--yes as soon as they get anything other than starter they should get grit and before allowing them to roam outside the brooder. I use commercial "chick" grit that I sprinkle on their food--use a light touch as you don't want them eating it instead of food. Alternatively you can spread some around their feeder and let them pick it up, A little goes a long way. I have a 1-pound bag from 5 broods ago that I'm still using, Once they get outside they'll pretty much find their own.

 

[RoosterML]

Bag of chick grit says to give to chicks 2 weeks old.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I give my chicks grit from the start, just a little sprinkled on the food every few days and around the brooder for them to find if they want it. Mealworms in moderation are fine at that age, they're great to train the chicks to come to your hand.

 

[woodmort]

Bag of chick grit says to give to chicks 2 weeks old.

Depends on how you’re brooding them and how much freedom they have. As a rule starter doesn’t need to be ground up but if they have access to bugs and larger food they’ll need grit

 

[foxtrotters19]

Ok I thought I was correct on the fact that you start chick grit when you start with treats...

thank you guys!!!

 

[RoosterML]

Depends on how you’re brooding them and how much freedom they have. As a rule starter doesn’t need to be ground up but if they have access to bugs and larger food they’ll need grit

That makes sense. I can only say what that bag says. Bag says give at 2 weeks old and monitor intake. At first they jumped at it but now I only catch a bird every once in a while getting some. I gave in a separate dish at 2 weeks old free choice.

 

[woodmort]

It stays in their gizzards for a while, they don’t need it every day.