Chick treats

[Juchicky]

I got my chicks a week ago today, so they are still very young. But I am noticing them pecking at the shavings in their brooder like they’re looking for food even with a full feeder of starter crumbles. Are they just exploring with their beaks or are they getting sick of this food? And are there any treats or snacks that I can start feeding them? I have read scrambled eggs but want to get more advice before I go ahead. And if given a snack/treat do I also offer grit?
Thanks as always

 

[Sally PB]

My chickens' favorite treat, even back when they were chicks, was their regular food, wetted into a mash. They went nuts for it, and still do.

You can give them that now, no problem.

 

[FuzzyDinoNuggets]

It’s perfectly normal for chicks to explore their surroundings with their beaks. Still not a bad idea to give them some treats, mine love mealworms. If you do decide to give them anything besides their chick feed, make sure you do give them some chick grit (not adult grit because they might choke on it).

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I like to start my chicks on mealworms at about one week, and when I give it to them, I introduce them to the call I will use for the rest of their lives. My voice will always mean, "Come here now, I have treats!" The sooner they learn that, the better! And yes, start giving them chick grit a day or two before.

Incidentally, I don't use shavings in their brooder for that very reason. We line their totes with puppy pee pads, so there's no dust. And I can sprinkle both grit and mealworms right on the pads and they can scratch and peck to their hearts' content without getting anything they don't need. We just change the pads every evening, and at the same time check for pasty butt.