Feeding concerns

[sgreenia]

We live in Hawaii and have wild chickens everywhere. A few weeks ago a mama and her seven little babies started hanging around our apartments, and some yahoo started shooting at them. So, in order to keep them away from that side of the complex, and over here where it's safe, I started throwing out some oats and birdseed here and there. Now they come to my back door every morning and evening to eat. Today the babies came inside the house (screen door was open). They are so cute and I've even named some of them.... I'm glad they aren't scared of me, but I am concerned for them, and have a couple of questions. 1. What is best to feed them? Will whole oats or birdseed hurt them? 2. They are wild and not pets. By feeding them will they still survive on their own if we move away in a few years? I love having them around, but know nothing about chickens, and don't want to hurt them. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Perris]

hello @sgreenia - welcome to BYC
As wild birds they'll have good instincts on what is good and bad eating, so follow their lead if they don't take to something, stop offering it. Oats (in any form) and bird seed should be fine. As they are continuing to forage during the day they should also be able to manage should you ever not be there, but they'll take advantage of your generosity while you are

 

[sgreenia]

hello @sgreenia - welcome to BYC
As wild birds they'll have good instincts on what is good and bad eating, so follow their lead if they don't take to something, stop offering it. Oats (in any form) and bird seed should be fine. As they are continuing to forage during the day they should also be able to manage should you ever not be there, but they'll take advantage of your generosity while you are

Thank you!!!

 

[ackie]

If you want to buy chick starter to feed them, you can, though I wouldnt bother to buy medicated because it needs to be the majority of their diet to matter (unsure if giving them medicated and it NOT being their main feed is detrimental or just a waste of money).

 

[sgreenia]

I think what I'm giving them is definitely a supplement, and not their main diet. So I will stick with unmedicated. Thank you!!

 

[sgreenia]

hello @sgreenia - welcome to BYC
As wild birds they'll have good instincts on what is good and bad eating, so follow their lead if they don't take to something, stop offering it. Oats (in any form) and bird seed should be fine. As they are continuing to forage during the day they should also be able to manage should you ever not be there, but they'll take advantage of your generosity while you are

Thank you !