1st time for worm treats!

[BriardChickens]

Well our chickens are between 3-4 weeks old now. They don't have much interest in "food treats" yet. Since our chicks have been excellent mosquito hunters I thought i'd get them something with protein such as worms while I was in town today.

The pet store only had tubs of 100 kingworms, so that's what I brought home. I also brought a special 'chicken dish" for them to eat treats out of until they are more used to me and eating out of my hand. i think I put 10 worms for 6 chickens in the dish. It took the first chicken ~10 minutes to realize what they had. She picked it up and ran around until all the other birds were chasing her. Almost like a trophy hunt. She then proceeded at least 7 more times to pick one worm at a time. Each time it was followed by a proud chase. . Sometimes she would loose the worm to another chicken, so cut her loss immediately to get another worm. Only one other chicken figured out the source which was followed by the same proud chase.

It was quite funny to watch!!! Money well spent

 

[RJSorensen]

Yes, worms are good and also crickets, the bigger ones. They love to learn to 'hunt' for things. I love watching the chase game, it is just as you describe, with the finder often being the loser. Young birds are such a fun treat to have and interact with. A special time for sure between the keeper and their charges.

Best to you and your birds,

RJ

 

[sm2teach]

This is the best. They are so cute when they are little and chase each other around. Mine are now 12weeks old and they free range during the day. It is so funny to watch them trying to catch grasshoppers. They also catch these big locusts. And then the chase begins.