Dried Nettles, Chickweed & dandelion for 2 day old chicks?

[Soap Junkie]

I am having a dickens of a time finding this information! Nettles especially are very high in protein, but they also have a lof of calcium, is this ok to feed to the new chicks?

 

[savingdogs]

I would not feed Nettles. It has medicinal qualities that could have adverse effects. I believe it could change your heart rate or be dieuretic. I do not think it would be good for chicks. I also note that my adult chickens do not choose to eat it.

Dandelion however, I think chicks would love as a first green food treat. I don't know about chickweed, but someone on here probably will.

 

[Soap Junkie]

Thank you! I need to get smart fast!

 

[Wifezilla]

Dandelion is a good one. Also clover. Chickweed or duckweed should be fine too in small amounts. The sooner you start them on greens the better foragers they will be

 

[ORChick]

Dandelion is a good one. Also clover. Chickweed or duckweed should be fine too in small amounts. The sooner you start them on greens the better foragers they will be

In my experience this isn't necessarily true. With my first lot of chicks 3 years ago I was so nervous about doing something wrong that I didn't give them anything other than chick feed for the first 6 weeks, and they learned to forage just fine. They hardly eat any of their pellets on the days they are allowed out on the grass, they are so full from greenery and worms/bugs . Last year's babies got treats sooner, but are no more, nor less, able in the foraging. Not to say that it isn't a good idea to get them used to other foods early on, but I don't think it makes any difference as to how well they forage later. That's my experience anyhow.

 

[Wifezilla]

I think it is more of an issue with quail and tropical birds, but I have noticed ducks I have bought from others and only given dry food are way more picky about greens. Most do come around eventually, but some never want anything but commercial feed.

 

[freemotion]

I chop grass and dandelions for my chicks, all they can eat and then some!

 

[savingdogs]

I have chicks that were raised as foragers with a hen and some I raised in a brooder with bagged feed. The only difference I note is that the ones that the hen raised won't let me catch them or even touch them. Those chickens that I hand fed as babies are the ones that like me.

 

[Soap Junkie]

Wow great advice! Thank you so much! I was just wondering about the dried herbs being higher in calcium causing any damage. Someone told me that you dont want to supplement calcium with Chicks as it can damage their kidneys, so I thought I would check with the experts first! I am more concerned about getting them good nutrition since I am not using the starter feed and I want them to be healthy. I think I will try a small portion of nettles in there feed and once the dandelions come up I will clip them too! They are so young, only 3 days as of today so I want to add things slowly.

Thanks for the great advice!

 

[Soap Junkie]

Freemotion, do you chop them up very small when you cut the dandelion and grass for the chicks? Should I just blend everything for now or chop it fine?