cricket games...ok?

[ChickieNikki]

So they got hold of a cricket and chased each other around for a half hour bickering over it, finally tore it to pieces and everyone either got a piece or quit playing--I put sand in their feed and in each corner of the brooder and they chowed it, too. Will that encourage aggression for them to do this? Are they OK to eat bugs now--they're only a week old! Hope they're OK...it sure was fun to watch!

 

[chickenhick]

They love this!!! No, it won't encourage aggression. It trains them to chase and catch a little protein. It's fun to watch too.

 

[cochinbantam-lover]

Oh fun!!! Can't wait to give mine a bug and watch the fun begin!

I sit and watch my chicks throughout the day and night! I am just amazed at their cuteness!!!

 

[JennsPeeps]

If you really want a brooder of super amped chicks, throw in more crickets than there are chicks. Everyone gets one, runs away from everyone else, and generally gets all lathered up into a pretty good adrenalie frenzy.

 

[Alyssandra]

Deffinatly a fun game for the chicks! Mine love if I go get a dozen small crickets at the pet store!

 

[ChickensInTheNorthWoods]

Bugs are great but I would be careful with the sand - it can compact their crops - you would be better off with some chick sized grit ( I like to use the kind for the bottom of bird cages - its easier to come by and a lot cheaper) My chicks this year love crickets and meal worms but are scared out of their little minds by earthworms!

 

[ChickieNikki]

Quote:
Thank you for the advice--I said sand, but it's really parakeet grit--it just look like sand, so, I just called it sand. They just ate 4 junebugs--gave 'em a teensy bit more sand sprinkled in their bedding so they can get it but have to scratch for it. They got quite a workout today!

 

[cochinbantam-lover]

Quote:
Thank you for the advice--I said sand, but it's really parakeet grit--it just look like sand, so, I just called it sand. They just ate 4 junebugs--gave 'em a teensy bit more sand sprinkled in their bedding so they can get it but have to scratch for it. They got quite a workout today!

Poor junebugs!

 

[tn_artist]

I gave my bantams (mixed) a katydid that I found on the porch one morning. As soon as one grabbed it, it made that really loud katydid noise and all the birds went Crazy! I almost fell over laughing. Being such a big bug, the fun lasted a long time. Poor katydid, but it was worth the show!

 

[Chickn chick 46]

My chickens went crazy last summer with the grubs I was finding in my garden. They have to be the ugliest thing ever but they sure did have fun fighting over them.