A trick I just found to show chicks where the food is and get them eating

[Sussex19]

I have got my first chicks that I'm raising in a brooder, (normally I let the hens do it) and I was trying to show them where the food was. Just poking it with my finger didn't seem to have much effect.
I then found that if clicked my fingers the chicks came running, and then its easy to drop a bit in front of them. It seems it sounds just like the mother hen does when she is calling her chicks for food.
I thought it might be useful for others, as it seems to work a treat, and both chicks are eating now.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have got my first chicks that I'm raising in a brooder, (normally I let the hens do it) and I was trying to show them where the food was. Just poking it with my finger didn't seem to have much effect.
I then found that if clicked my fingers the chicks came running, and then its easy to drop a bit in front of them. It seems it sounds just like the mother hen does when she is calling her chicks for food.
I thought it might be useful for others, as it seems to work a treat, and both chicks are eating now.

Thanks for sharing.

Yes, that's a good trick to use to show chicks food.

Tapping the side of the dish and saying "here here here" quickly, along with picking up a few pieces of food and dropping them works too. It's similar to Mama calling chicks for goodies.

Once you get one chick eating, the others will usually follow along.

 

[nuthatched]

A good way to retrieve a chick from out of somewhere you can't reach (i.e under a coop) is to use another chick as a puppet and peck and scratch (gently) using the chick.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

A good way to retrieve a chick from out of somewhere you can't reach (i.e under a coop) is to use another chick as a puppet and peck and scratch (gently) using the chick.

Now I've never heard that one!

 

[nuthatched]

Now I've never heard that one!

Chickens are nosey. The unreachable chick will come close enough to grab/shoo into a better area. I used it a few times this spring.

 

[ChicFil- A]

Thanks for sharing.

Yes, that's a good trick to use to show chicks food.

Tapping the side of the dish and saying "here here here" quickly, along with picking up a few pieces of food and dropping them works too. It's similar to Mama calling chicks for goodies.

Once you get one chick eating, the others will usually follow along.

My daughter laughed at the pullets when something different is offered they immediately become suspicious. but as soon as one chick gets nerve enough to sample the corn then they all become very interested.

 

[Shadrach]

I have got my first chicks that I'm raising in a brooder, (normally I let the hens do it) and I was trying to show them where the food was. Just poking it with my finger didn't seem to have much effect.
I then found that if clicked my fingers the chicks came running, and then its easy to drop a bit in front of them. It seems it sounds just like the mother hen does when she is calling her chicks for food.
I thought it might be useful for others, as it seems to work a treat, and both chicks are eating now.

I tried nodding my head at the food and making rooster type sounds; they didn't go for it.

 

[ChicFil- A]

I tried nodding my head at the food and making rooster type sounds; they didn't go for it.

Hahaha i’m still laughing! Yeah that head tilt didn’t work for me either but It’s was funny imagining you aiming at the food