[themagicaltoad1]

My chicks are now just over a week old and growing fast. They love scraping around in the woodshavings and I was wondering if there are any treats I could give them other than just their chick crumbs? Would they be ok with a bit of greens or meal worms, or are they still too young? They must be getting bored in their box, and they keep eyeing up the edges of the box, I think they're contemplating their escape plan.

[joyfull]

they are a little bit young, the chick crumb will provide them with all their nutrition they need for now. How big is their box? perhaps you could get them one thats a little bit bigger and higher and then put in a couple of small branches, young chicks love to perch on branches in between eating, drinking, pooing and sleeping 

[themagicaltoad1]

It's a big wide box but only about 14 ins high and I don't think they will stay in it for much longer, so I'll try to get a big, deep one for them. When do you think they might be able to have the odd treat?

[GrannieAnnie]

The first greens my chicks have is a bit of chickweed.  I don't usually give it to them until 2 weeks though, but Joy's tiny ones hae been learning to eat grass with their Mum!

[joyfull]

because mine are with their mum (who flies at any other hen that gets too close) they have been let out daily for about an hour from 1 week, now at 3 weeks my older ones are out and about for 3 hours a day. They stay in their run all morning to make sure they have their chick crumb and are let out about half one, then put back in again before 5 so that they miss the rooks and crows going back to roost. They have learnt to scratch, dust bathe and perch on small branches. You could try them in about a week for half an hour in a small enclosed run but just keep an eye in case they get too cold (mine will sit under mum to get warm again)