Are my chicks defective?

[NorTracNY]

My 3 week old chicks don't seem to like treats. I keep hearing people talk about their chicks going crazy over some treats. I am feeding them grit. I've tried bits of chives, grapes, dandelions, and tops of celery. They have picked up and dropped a few pieces, but they haven't eaten anything. Am I giving them the wrong stuff or are they defective?

 

[silkiechicken]

It takes time for them to get used to new food. Eventually they will get it. Boiled egg is often a hit though.

 

[Myst4]

Quote:
Do you need to give them grit when giving them boiled egg?

 

[thechickenchick]

The first treat mine responded well to was spagetti. I do believe they should have grit as soon as they are eating anything other than chick starter.

 

[gritsar]

Can you find a few worms or maybe some crickets? Or cook and chop them some hard-boiled egg. Some people swear their chicks love cheerios, but mine are only mildly interested in them. Their #1 favorite treat is millet, found in the pet bird dept. in stores. I give them very little, but you can tell they wish there was more. I always remove the stripped stem after they pick it clean after I had to remove a stem from one little piggy-chicken that tried to swallow it.

 

[Linda in San Diego]

Quote:
Great information, along with the idea about spagetti. I want my chickens to adore me, or at least tolerate me. Right now there are two that think lap chicken might be a good idea.

I told DH that we need to start raising meal worms again for his fish and my chicks. Maybe this weekend we will get that set up.

 

[WrenAli]

My 5 week olds are not fond of treats either. I give them yogurt and they look offended.

 

[chickenshadow]

We start handfeeding our chicks almost immediately. By two weeks old they
jump into my hands looking for treats.

Note:Only chick food is good for the first week. Then you can give them
ground oatmeal, white rice, pasta, etc...

 

[catfish]

My older chicks love tortillas. They also love clover, they wasn't real fond of rye bread.

 

[Wildsky]

My chicks thought I was trying to POISON them first time I put something in for them, their first treat was a slice of Butternut to peck at - you would not BELIEVE the dirty looks they gave me

By the next morning there was a hole in the center of the slice and they were running around taking turns holding it and screaming!

Next was spaghetti - and again they looked at me like I was trying to bump them off......

Silly chickens!