4 month olds wont eat worms, why?

[mandelyn]

Chickens are distrustful of food until they see someone else eat it first, then it's game on. Being brooder raised, they didn't have a momma hen telling them what is and isn't food. Someone has to eat it first. Goes for yogurt, oatmeal, squash, strawberries. The trick is finding something easy, like the strawberries, and offering those up. If you always give food, they learn to accept whatever you give them as food. So start easy, then go more complex. Crickets are good for bugs. Meal worms, took a minute for someone to try it, but once one did and wanted more, the rest decided it must not be poison.

Ducks are the same way. I offered bread to mine, and they all balked about it. Ducks and bread! I joking said to my husband "I can't even take them to the park if they won't eat bread, they'll starve"

Soon the boy Pekin tried a piece, and convinced the others. Just keep trying little bits until they get the idea. My grown hens look for damp areas around the duck run and scratch and have worm grabbing down to an art form. They were raised free range on a farm. They've taught my brooder babies all about worm grabbing, cricket chasing, and which grasses are the best.

Though it's funny, the only food my ducks will take from my hand is a worm. Peas, leaves, grasses... nope, won't come near me. Worms, two of them make a mad dash my way.

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
I've read that, too. I've contacted a well-known worm farmer and writer, as well as a couple professors, and they saw no reason to be concerned about parasites in worms.

Farmed much less likely to support parasite load of wild worms. I hope professors consulted are parasitologist otherwise advice needs to be taken with several grains of salt. Scientist types working with wildlife, especially birds best to consult with.