When is it okay to give my chicks treats?

[white_stripes]

I don't know when to give my chicks treats, or what to give them! Help!

 

[Spunky~Chick~Mom]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart

Maybe this will help.

UPDATED::

I have read on a info sheet from a hatchery to not feed laying hens fruit. it said it could cause them
to stop laying and could take as long as months for them to start back.

I don't know on this one?!?!?!!?!?!

my little ones love cricket, meal worm, and grits!!

I waited till they were 2 weeks old.

 

[Hermie and the chicks]

I am a Newbie, but I waited until they had their feathers. I read somewhere not to give them any treats until they got all their feathers because it gives them the runs. Once they got all their feathers I tried them on just small bits of greens, strawberries, apple, lettuce, green beans and just about anything else you can give to the grown ups. They dont like strawberries very much. Most of the rest they liked. But give them a worm or bug and look out they jump on it. Mine even went after a lizard when it got into the coop one time. They love chasing the flying bugs. Its fun watching them. Crickets are a hoot to watch them catch.

 

[speckledhen]

Personally, I don't understand the desire to give "treats" to young chicks. Mine get only chick starter/grower till they are about 10 weeks old, except for chopped hardboiled egg and maybe a tablespoon of plain yogurt once a week. You really don't want to give youngsters fruit or they might get the runs, not pleasant. Plus, any "treats" lower the protein levels they need while they grow at lightning speed the first few weeks.

 

[shaggy]

the first "treats" i had given mine were hardboiled eggs and worms


i suppose the desire to give them "treats" is that some people think that their chicks are more "pet" than "livestock" ... not that there is anything wrong with that

i fully plan on butchering mine once they stop laying eggs

 

[speckledhen]

Whether pet or livestock, all chicks have the same requirements for protein and proper vitamin/mineral balance. So, my advice is to hold yourself back from feeding them lots of extra stuff if you want them to be the healthiest they can be with proper bone development and body size.

 

[allmypeeps]

what would chicks in the 'wild' eat?

They would not be getting man made foods so just curious what would they be pecking at out there? Momma hens don't regurgitate for them like flight birds...so what would the little things be eating?