Is it OK to supplement my baby chicks’ diet w/ some veg, fruit, etc? also when to start giving grit?
Hi I just purchased some baby chicks 3 days ago, they’re a few days old now. 2 are rhode island reds, 2 are barred rock, 2 are banties with fluffy feathers on their lower legs.
I’ve had chickens before but didn’t give them anything but Start & Grow food at first. There are a couple of old dried leaves that were mixed in with their bedding shavings—they seem to love pecking at these and they’re partially gone now. This makes me wonder if it’s OK to give them a few tiny vegetable or fruit scraps this soon, or if I should wait. Not enough to detract from their feed store diet, just a few small peices of carrot or melon seeds, or other small crumbs of whole grain bread, etc. which my grown hens always loved (when they were grown)
also can’t remember when I started giving them grit before, but I know it wasn’t right away, it was when they got a bit older, maybe a few months or so, but I know it wasn’t when they were babies. Should I be giving them grit right from the start?
Thanks in advance.
October 23rd, 2009 at 5:41 am
Yes, grit should be given from the start.
However, when you do feed grit, only give a few grains per week. Do not offer grit in a separate bowl, as the birds will over consume it, and develop problems. Do not give silica based grit designed for wild birds. Look for soluble brands that contain a high calcium content. Look at the ingredients to make sure it does not contain rock or sand grit.
There is no problem feeding them fruits and veggies. But make sure to balance it out with your Start&Grow feed because too much fruit can cause diarrhea.
I would throw a few bits of fruit and veggies in my yard and let them roam. They loved it!
I have barred rocks as well. Johnny
October 26th, 2009 at 6:57 am
Yes animallover
October 27th, 2009 at 4:55 am
Chick starter is all you need at this age. You can give them special “treats” when you want to, just make sure the starter is their primary food. They don’t need grit until you start giving them scratch grains. This is what helps them break down these whole grains. If they are allowed to run free they will consume enough “grit” just pecking around in the yard and dirt and won’t need a supplement. If they are confined to a pen and/or coop, grit should always be available. Rambo