Chicken wirh chicks, they wont eat much and don't want to go out of the pen to forrage

[Eden83_haaretz]

Ok so one of my chickens hatched her eggs, they're about a week old (more or less) and although her mom tries to invite them to go out, they just won't, now I've tried to give them chick feed, they wont eat it (mom doesn't either because she's not used to it), I've been giving them cooked black beans, some cooked rice and some canned tuna but I worry they won't get what they need and that it's been too long already (in my opinion) without them getting much to eat, they cry to mom almost every moment of the day. Should I chase them out of the coop so they'll start to eat out? Should I just let them go out with mom when they finally choose to. I stresses me out that they cry all the time and even if mom tries to coax them out, they wont go, and they won't touch the chick feed any suggestions?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Try wetting a little of the chick feed and putting it in a bowl and giving it to the mama. If she'll eat it, the babies will follow her lead. If the chicks don't want to leave the coop put the wet feed inside the coop.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

This may be a dumb question, but, Do you have water in the coop for them? Are they drinking the water? Chicks have to be well hydrated or they can't eat. Have you checked them for poopy butt? (Which chicks with mom almost never get, but it won't hurt to check.) You might also try putting a LITTLE of the mom's food in with the chick feed, just to get her to peck at it, that may get the babies going. Good luck!

 

[Eden83_haaretz]

This may be a dumb question, but, Do you have water in the coop for them? Are they drinking the water? Chicks have to be well hydrated or they can't eat. Have you checked them for poopy butt? (Which chicks with mom almost never get, but it won't hurt to check.) You might also try putting a LITTLE of the mom's food in with the chick feed, just to get her to peck at it, that may get the babies going. Good luck!

No, that's ok, I didn't mention it. Yes I leave food and water, they just won't go out and/or eat the chick feed, I have tried wetting it a bit, but their mom isn't used to it either so she doesn't even touch it. None have pasty butt, really calming that I don't have to deal with that also.
I tried putting it along side her regular feed so she'd taste it, but I guess she just doesn't think it's real food. I find myself going at least 3-5 times a day to give them the rice with beans and sometimes tuna (at least the tuna and rice they go crazy for; but I'm sure that's not a balanced meal for them).
Wish they were slightly bigger so I' d also not worry about them going outside... Well I guess I'll definitely try putting their foot closer outside or plain outside. Thanks for the advise guys.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Since they are not eating the chick formula, which contains grit, perhaps you should offer baby chick grit. No telling if they'll eat it, but you should offer. I also wonder if yogurt might be a good idea?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Before the mama had chicks, what was she eating?

I'd rather not feed chicks layer, but if that was what she was eating, some crushed layer feed in her usual feeder might at least get her to start eating feed again, so she shows the chicks how to eat it. You can then mix in chick feed into that and "wean" the entire family off layer.

 

[SilkySilkie]

i know my suggestion is the worst one out of all of them but I would just gently chase the hen and chicks out and see what would happen

 

[Banana01]

Try putting a private food and water dish in front of the nest when your hens brood hatches and be patient. You should have a separate food type for chicks called starter feed, that is what you should put in front of the nest. The mother may wait two maybe even three days to leave if you put feed in front, tou won't have to watch them and worry.

 

[MadamContrary]

Maybe the chick starter is just unpalatable? I know my birds prefer certain brands over others. Wet mash almost always lures birds to eat, maybe try another brand. I would do the opposite, lock Mom in with the chicks and wet starter and when she gets hungry, she will eat. If they eat rice and beans they'll eat wet mash. Sprinkle some rice and beans on top along with chick grit if necessary.

 

[Eden83_haaretz]

Before the mama had chicks, what was she eating?

I'd rather not feed chicks layer, but if that was what she was eating, some crushed layer feed in her usual feeder might at least get her to start eating feed again, so she shows the chicks how to eat it. You can then mix in chick feed into that and "wean" the entire family off layer.

They eat chicken game feed, so I guess along your suggestion I'll try grinding the seeds on a spice grinder and mixing it with th chick feed and the he's feed maybe that way they'll eat.