I have 2 chicks that are 4 weeks old - they have been eating organic chick crumb but they seem a bit bored - what else could I give them to keep them occupied?
Also when can I start letting them go outside in the day? They are still in a large, open topped brooder with a heat lamp high up.
Thanks,
Jo.
Farming Friends Forum » Hens
What can 4 week old chicks eat / play with?
(7 posts)-
Posted 2 years ago #
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Hi im far from an expert, but when i got my two little ducklings as company for the mallard, i started putting them out at two weeks old, i started by reducing the the amount of heat daily, i still bring them inside on an evening, they love it outside and i have a hell of a job trying to catch them, they will be staying in the shed permanately i a couple of weeks.
hope this helps.,Posted 2 years ago # -
Hello Jocelyn. I buy my chickes at four weeks and give them growers crumb , plus they do like any veg , courgette ,toms anything really but in small amounts.I also chuck in a bit of wheat for them to get used to as that is all they get when they are full grown. Mine are outside all day from 6 weeks but it is a learning curve to get them back in. Start by just giving them a small area outside so you don't have to leg it for ages trying to get them in. I always shouted chick ,chick, chick everytime I fed them and they soon get used to you calling and will come running to see what have got for them .Then into the big wide world if the weather is warm and a proper run.
Good luck, MamaGoose GirlPosted 2 years ago # -
hi
I am putting my 4 week old chicks outside in a pen within my chicken electric fence.They love cooked corn on the cob on a skewer hanging from the brooder and I also feed them greens and boiled egg finely chopped.
GillPosted 2 years ago # -
Hi Jocelyn,
I would section an area off on the lawn or in the garden somewhere when you are about on a fine day and let them have a roam about to get used to being outside and this will help to wean them off the heat lamp. Let them have an area with some freshly dug soil and I am sure their scratching instinct will kick in although make sure the soil is nice and dry so that the soil doesn't stick to their feet and toe ball up.
Hes love meal worms or worms from the garden so maybe you could find some and see if the chicks respond to them!
Mama's advice about calling the chicks when they are fed is a good idea. Get them used to a routine.
Do you have any photos, if so would love to see them. Let me know if so and I'll send you an email so you can send them and I'll add them here.
Kind regards
Sara @ farmingfriendsPosted 2 years ago # -
Hi Jo
We give all our chickens and chicks Maggots from the fishing tackle shop!sell them by the pound; only fed on bran, put them in your fridge and they sort of lay dormant till they come out i put so many in a container and leave them for five minuets to warm up; not very nice i know but they love them so do my older ones they know what time of day it is and are there waiting for them they become Very tame, even at two weeks old they get to know the little white dish, we also give them cress in the little plastic containers from supermarkets,they soon polish it off.the Ducklings Dont seem to care for them thou:
Regards SuePosted 2 years ago # -
Hi, thanks for all the advice, it's really helpful!
Yes, I do have some photos - 2 chicks at 6 weeks and 3 at 2 weeks now - the grey colour of the older ones feathers is beautiful! I'd happily send them.
I have been putting them outside for a run when we're around, either in a little run or around the lawn when my eldest daughter (6) can keep an eye on them and my youngest (1) is otherwise occupied and not trying to grab them! She adores watching the chickens - stands at the gate to their part of the garden and points and babbles for hours!
When could I start leaving them out (in hen house) for the night? I know it's warm right now but may not last!
Any advice for introducing them to the full grown chickens - do they need to be fully grown to do that? We have a second coop with attached run ready for these chicks, and can keep them in there and not let them our for the day as we do the others - would they get used to each others presence that way? The 5 chickens are Warren hens.Thanks so much for replies, it's so valuable to a newbie like me when you share your wisdom!
Jo.Posted 2 years ago #
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