chicks stopped eating feed

[Suzilla Bean]

Hello,

Recently, I noticed that the chick's feeder wasn't going empty as fast at it used to. I've not changed their food... but perhaps I am giving them too many snacks. I try to go every other day w/o snacks and what they get is very small. A couple of cubes of watermelon, and a handful of worms. Today I gave them the top 3 inches of an ear of corn and a handful of grass. Is that too much?

 

[True Patriot]

That depends on how many chicks. How many? And how old? Treats should be no more than 10% of their diet. It's hard not to give them things they love, we've all done it.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

No, it's not too much. All that stuff is good for them. Especially bugs. If they were in the wild,with a mother, that's what they would live on. Grass,bugs, grain, everything.
So as long as you have the food available, they should be fine. They will eat less if you give them more treats.

Another thing they love is milk! I give mine that, and sometimes soak the feed in it, and they love it!

 

[ChickNanny13]

Cut out the treats would be my advice. It's very hard not to feed treats but I've learned (thank you BYC members) how treats will also null the nutritional contents of their feed which is most important.

Have 4 BO pullets that were not gaining weight yet eating what I fed (fermented Flock Raiser) but I was treating them with Romain lettuce, fruits, tomatoes, BOSS, mealworms, etc.... in the afternoon & evenings. I now call it "guilt" treats, ha ha I stopped treating them except for 1/8c of BOSS & MW at close up scattered in their enclosure. They've gained weight & don't miss the afternoon treats. Now & then I'll toss them some lettuce or kale when it's extra warm, everyone's happy.

 

[Suzilla Bean]

That depends on how many chicks. How many? And how old? Treats should be no more than 10% of their diet. It's hard not to give them things they love, we've all done it.

2, 6 month old silkies.

 

[True Patriot]

You are giving some healthy treats, so that isn't an issue. I would cut back a little, since they're still growing and developing, their main feed is balanced to provide what they need. I like giving mine treats also. They go nuts over some fresh berries or fruit. I've had to force myself to limit how much I give, I'd swear I'm more addicted to giving them than they are to eating. It so much fun watching. But, since I've started regulating, their growth seems to have improved, and their plumage seems better.