Chicks of all ages require feedings with various levels of nutrition for optimal development and this article provides several solutions that might work for your flock.
Chicks require starter mash or crumbles tailored specifically to their growth and development, rather than layer mash/crumbles which contain too much calcium and may lead to liver, kidney, and bone issues.
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Starter Feed
Chicks need starter feed with low levels of calcium to avoid long-term kidney damage and high protein to foster rapid development. You can find medicated or non-medicated starter feeds containing coccidiostat, an antibiotic medication which prevents coccidiosis – a parasitic infection which affects young chicks’ immune systems – coccidiostat contains this medication which protects young chicks against this parasitic disease that threatens immune health.
Boiling oatmeal can add protein and is easy for baby chicks to digest. Other nutritious snacks for chicks include cooked corn kernels and bananas (rich in potassium, phosphorous and Vitamin K); apples can also make great snacks that should be cut up into bite-size pieces for easier eating by your chick.
Once chicks reach six to eight weeks old, you should switch their feed over to grower feed. This type of poultry food provides similar levels of protein while containing less calcium to support egg production.
Grower Feed
At this point, chicks have evolved into pullets and require rapid weight gain. To do this, high protein feed of 20% protein or greater should be used. There are various varieties on the market; choose one free from GMOs and other fillers which could cause health issues for your chicks.
Good quality grower feed will include added vitamins and minerals to assist your flock’s immune system, bone health, nutrient absorption and egg laying activities. This may include omega-3s, prebiotics, probiotics calcium (which may become depleted through daily egg laying activities) and magnesium.
Feed for poultry comes in various forms such as mash, crumble or pellet form and organic options are also available. You may supplement their diet with vegetables, fruit or table scraps but beware that treats can dilute their nutrition intake.
Treats
Chickens require optimal nutrition to complete their remarkable journey from peep to chick to fully feathered adulthood. Building muscle, supporting bone growth and growing their reproductive systems all take place during this process – a long one!
Baby chicks require an ample supply of protein and calcium. In addition, they require fats, water-soluble vitamins, and minerals in their diet; many poultry feeds provide this via grains like corn, wheat and soy meal that provide these vital nutrients.
Baby chicks should be offered various food treats to increase flavor and nutritional diversity in their diets. Fruits such as apples and oranges provide essential potassium, Vitamin C and fiber while greens such as kale or turnip greens contain vitamins A-E; additionally you could feed your chicks chicken scratch which contains cracked corn as a good energy source.
Feeders
Chicks enjoy offering their treats like watermelons and other soft items such as ripe fruit as rewards. Additionally, offering small pieces of spaghetti should help stimulate their gizzard development.
Some chicken-keepers like to feed their chicks worms as a source of protein and other essential nutrients; this practice should only be undertaken by experienced owners as these parasite-carrying worms may make chicks sick.
As chicks develop, their nutritional needs change over time. Most people switch to grower feed around 8 weeks old – specifically designed to meet these changing nutritional requirements – whether in mash form, crumble form, pellet form, etc. To prevent overexerting calcium into their bodies and possibly leading to weak eggshells in later years. A low-lying feeder with plenty of space and easy access is ideal for feeding chicks.
