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when can i start treats?

post #1 of 15
Thread Starter 

My chicks are 1 week old today and i was wondering when i could start giving them some goodies?  I read through another thread and it seamed like there's no hard and fast rule.  These little one's have been getting yogurt mixed with chick feed for the past 5 days to help with a pasty butt situation so they've already been getting something extra.  I was curious about giving them a couple strawberries, halved cherry tomatoes, apple slice, or something else like that.  We had some who refused to eat and i tried egg yolk then but they weren't interested at all.  I have dried mealworms that i feed my layers i could try too if they're old enough.  And i have a Babycake waiting for them as well.

Our menagerie: 1 horse, 2 dogs, 6 cats, 2 rabbits, 1 guinea pig, 3 hamsters, 1 Silkie roo bachelor, 1 Ameraucana/Easter Egger roo, 1 Ameraucana/Easter Egger hen, 7 Golden Comet hens. RIP Puff and Mocha.

 

Chicks coming in April: Ameraucana, Barred Rock, Buff Orpington, Rhode Island Red.  Ducklings coming in April: Blue Swedish, Cayuga, Mallard.  More chicks come in July, all Buff Brahma.

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Our menagerie: 1 horse, 2 dogs, 6 cats, 2 rabbits, 1 guinea pig, 3 hamsters, 1 Silkie roo bachelor, 1 Ameraucana/Easter Egger roo, 1 Ameraucana/Easter Egger hen, 7 Golden Comet hens. RIP Puff and Mocha.

 

Chicks coming in April: Ameraucana, Barred Rock, Buff Orpington, Rhode Island Red.  Ducklings coming in April: Blue Swedish, Cayuga, Mallard.  More chicks come in July, all Buff Brahma.

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post #2 of 15

There are no hard and fast rules about any part of chickens. lol

 

When I have chicks they get treats from the moment they get home, very finely chopped veggies in small amounts plus whatever else I might have around. If you do give them treats, it is a good idea to give them some chick grit as well.

 

Imp

 

ETA- all the items you mentioned sound fine to me.

 

 

If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit,

for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to the man.

All things are connected.
Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth.

 

       ― Chief Seattle

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If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit,

for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to the man.

All things are connected.
Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth.

 

       ― Chief Seattle

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post #3 of 15
Thread Starter 

Thanks!  I've noticed they're getting bored already-they're much busier than my Golden Comet chicks last year were.  We all know a bored chick ends up causing trouble.  A couple are extremely inquisitive too.  They've already learned my hand is a source of yummies and come running to the yogurt mixture.  I don't want to overwhelm them with snacks but i think something every so often will be a good thing for them to keep them out of trouble.

Our menagerie: 1 horse, 2 dogs, 6 cats, 2 rabbits, 1 guinea pig, 3 hamsters, 1 Silkie roo bachelor, 1 Ameraucana/Easter Egger roo, 1 Ameraucana/Easter Egger hen, 7 Golden Comet hens. RIP Puff and Mocha.

 

Chicks coming in April: Ameraucana, Barred Rock, Buff Orpington, Rhode Island Red.  Ducklings coming in April: Blue Swedish, Cayuga, Mallard.  More chicks come in July, all Buff Brahma.

Reply

Our menagerie: 1 horse, 2 dogs, 6 cats, 2 rabbits, 1 guinea pig, 3 hamsters, 1 Silkie roo bachelor, 1 Ameraucana/Easter Egger roo, 1 Ameraucana/Easter Egger hen, 7 Golden Comet hens. RIP Puff and Mocha.

 

Chicks coming in April: Ameraucana, Barred Rock, Buff Orpington, Rhode Island Red.  Ducklings coming in April: Blue Swedish, Cayuga, Mallard.  More chicks come in July, all Buff Brahma.

Reply
post #4 of 15

any type of yogurt?  or just plain?  is sugar bad?  (I'm new to this too!)

post #5 of 15
Thread Starter 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by robynz View Post

any type of yogurt?  or just plain?  is sugar bad?  (I'm new to this too!)

 

I do not do fat-free or sugar-free stuff.  I don't believe aspartame or splenda is safe for anything to ingest. I've always given my older chickens Stonyfield Farms Organic low-fat yogurt.  I was giving the chicks the vanilla flavor in the large tub but i ran out and the store only had BaNilla yesterday so i got that and they love it!  I've given the older birds the same brand in the kids yogurt before when my children don't eat it up fast enough.  And recently i gave them Oikos greek yogurt-also a big hit.  I don't think the flavor matters much.  So the chicks will just get whatever i have in the fridge.

Our menagerie: 1 horse, 2 dogs, 6 cats, 2 rabbits, 1 guinea pig, 3 hamsters, 1 Silkie roo bachelor, 1 Ameraucana/Easter Egger roo, 1 Ameraucana/Easter Egger hen, 7 Golden Comet hens. RIP Puff and Mocha.

 

Chicks coming in April: Ameraucana, Barred Rock, Buff Orpington, Rhode Island Red.  Ducklings coming in April: Blue Swedish, Cayuga, Mallard.  More chicks come in July, all Buff Brahma.

Reply

Our menagerie: 1 horse, 2 dogs, 6 cats, 2 rabbits, 1 guinea pig, 3 hamsters, 1 Silkie roo bachelor, 1 Ameraucana/Easter Egger roo, 1 Ameraucana/Easter Egger hen, 7 Golden Comet hens. RIP Puff and Mocha.

 

Chicks coming in April: Ameraucana, Barred Rock, Buff Orpington, Rhode Island Red.  Ducklings coming in April: Blue Swedish, Cayuga, Mallard.  More chicks come in July, all Buff Brahma.

Reply
post #6 of 15

Try some sliced pear..... fresh, not canned. Our BCM pullets (10 weeks old) love them.

/*D & B W.
1 adult son / 6 NH_Red hens / 2 BCM hens / 3 Old dogs......

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/*D & B W.
1 adult son / 6 NH_Red hens / 2 BCM hens / 3 Old dogs......

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post #7 of 15

Cornmeal in my palm is a big hit. Chick sized scratch grains, it what it looks like to them. :)

Permaculture multi-generational family farming in the Siuslaw valley on 5 rustic riverfront acres. 21 chickens, 7 cats, 1 dog, 6 homesteading humans. Preparedness and happiness, science and faith. Reduce, reuse, recycle, rejoice!

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Permaculture multi-generational family farming in the Siuslaw valley on 5 rustic riverfront acres. 21 chickens, 7 cats, 1 dog, 6 homesteading humans. Preparedness and happiness, science and faith. Reduce, reuse, recycle, rejoice!

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post #8 of 15

My chicks always love raw oatmeal once they are not afraid of it!!  We have also done mealworms and then everything is fair game!  I love giving them something new at first they run for the hills unti lsomeone is brave enought o check it out then it's the chase fest...I got something....run run run it's so much fun to watch!  Have fun

Mom to 2 kids, 2 cats, 1 fish, and 11 girls (Haley - banty, Nutmeg - Buff Orp, Teddy - Red sex link, Bella - Tetra Tint, Pepper, Salt and Dot - Dominiques, Summer - Welsummer, Cheeky and Muffin - EE, Freckles - Speckled Sussex) And the wife of one very wonderful husband who puts up with me and my chickens!

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Mom to 2 kids, 2 cats, 1 fish, and 11 girls (Haley - banty, Nutmeg - Buff Orp, Teddy - Red sex link, Bella - Tetra Tint, Pepper, Salt and Dot - Dominiques, Summer - Welsummer, Cheeky and Muffin - EE, Freckles - Speckled Sussex) And the wife of one very wonderful husband who puts up with me and my chickens!

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post #9 of 15

We gave the girls some fun treat with raisins in it and one will grab one and the chase game is on.  even know there are many more, its a big game of keep away.

 

post #10 of 15
Thread Starter 

It's always funny to watch them.  Like you all said there's plenty for everyone but they want what someone else has.  And they make the noise that gives their find away too.  Thanks for the ideas on cornmeal and pears i haven't tried those before.

Our menagerie: 1 horse, 2 dogs, 6 cats, 2 rabbits, 1 guinea pig, 3 hamsters, 1 Silkie roo bachelor, 1 Ameraucana/Easter Egger roo, 1 Ameraucana/Easter Egger hen, 7 Golden Comet hens. RIP Puff and Mocha.

 

Chicks coming in April: Ameraucana, Barred Rock, Buff Orpington, Rhode Island Red.  Ducklings coming in April: Blue Swedish, Cayuga, Mallard.  More chicks come in July, all Buff Brahma.

Reply

Our menagerie: 1 horse, 2 dogs, 6 cats, 2 rabbits, 1 guinea pig, 3 hamsters, 1 Silkie roo bachelor, 1 Ameraucana/Easter Egger roo, 1 Ameraucana/Easter Egger hen, 7 Golden Comet hens. RIP Puff and Mocha.

 

Chicks coming in April: Ameraucana, Barred Rock, Buff Orpington, Rhode Island Red.  Ducklings coming in April: Blue Swedish, Cayuga, Mallard.  More chicks come in July, all Buff Brahma.

Reply
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