When can I introduce greens and insects to my chicks?

[selenek]

I have 6 Buff Orpingtons that are about 2 weeks old. They have been eating medicated crumble and are doing well. Someone told my husband that we should be giving them some greens and other foods because they will become "picky eaters" or spoiled for anything but commercial feed if we only give them the crumble. She said that she raised her first bunch of chicks on yard scraps and that they did just fine.

Anyone have any experience or input on this?

Thanks

 

[sumi]

I give my chicks greens and whatever bugs we catch from a very young age. They love crickets! Mealworms is also a much loved treat.

 

[Blessedchickens]

You need to give them bugs just for the entertainment value alone. You have to see them do the chicken run! It's hilarious.

Grass and bugs are good for them. I don't know anything about them being spoiled on chicken feed. I think they prefer bugs and grass at any stage of life, no matter what they are brought up on.

Enjoy them!

 

[selenek]

I gave them a couple of tiny pieces of chopped up dandelion leaves and the result was quite funny. They acted as though I had thrown a live rattlesnake in the box with them. They screamed and ran to the farthest corner away from the killer greens. Then Philamena, the bravest of the lot, crept up on it, pecked at it a few times and retreated back to the company of the others. That was the extent of their interest in the leaves. I'll try the crickets and meal worms and see what happens.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[teach1rusl]

I would salt their feed with grit when introducing foods/treats other than formulated feed. They need something to help break down tougher foods like greens/insect shells/legs. (Unless they're being brooded on the ground and have opportunities to find their own tiny pieces of rock/pebble)

 

[Pascal PicklePants]

The exposure to bugs, greens, and a little bit of native soil will also help the medicated feed establish the chicks defense against coccidiosis. As others have said, make sure they have access to some sort of grit, sort of course playground sand works great if you don't want to buy chick grit.

 

[TNBarnQueen]

The exposure to bugs, greens, and a little bit of native soil will also help the medicated feed establish the chicks defense against coccidiosis. As others have said, make sure they have access to some sort of grit, sort of course playground sand works great if you don't want to buy chick grit.

I completely agree....I had a problem with cocci a couple years back when I started raising my own chicks and that happened. It is heartbreaking. But with treatment it was over in a few days. So...I put some grass clippings in when they are a few days old. I forgot to do it with one group and I just finished treatment but lost 2 of my much needed chicks for breeding. So...I will keep myself in line and make sure it gets done from now own! You can also take a small bowl or pan, put dirt in and grow some grass in it to give them...or scoop up a small section of your yard and do the same.

 

[K-12 Chickens]

Since it's been really warm lately, I've been taking my chicks (five 4 week olds and five 3 week olds) outside in an enclosed run (made with chicken wire and stakes) with a cardboard box, food, water and a few branches for them to climb on. They get so lively when I let them out of the box! They flutter everywhere, testing out their wings! When I bring them back in (after a while), they are worn out and fall asleep quick. While the chicks are in the brooder (and before I began letting them outside), I take a shovel and dig up a clump of sod (grass and anything else still attached) and put it in the brooder for the chicks to investigate. They love it!

 

[Chicklovera12]

I am 1 time chick owner I want to know what I can give my chick if I do not have chick starter( not available in my area) can she survive of only greens from the yard?