Finally Found a Treat they Loved!!

[Chickmate]

I have tried whole grain bread, alfalfa sprouts, dried meal worms, apples, etc. They did like the whole kernel corn I threw out for them, but today I was getting ready to pitch a bag of expired shredded mozzerela cheese when I thought, hmmmm......

They went crazy over it! So funny to watch them play Keep Away with each little string. I won't be buying it for regular treats, but maybe once in a while.

 

[Imp]

I won't be buying it for regular treats

We'll see how long that vow lasts.

Have you tried spaghetti?

Imp​

 

[Donna5]

I've tried so many fruits and veggies...usually those go untouched. Meal worms are just ok...but if I open the bag of bread they go nuts but I have to feed it by hand until they get to my fingers! I did read they shouldn't have too much bread, how much is too much? Usually 1 or 2 slices at the most per day for 5 of them, They are about 6 weeks old.

 

[Chickmate]

Quote:
We'll see how long that vow lasts.

Have you tried spaghetti?

Imp

Yeah, I'll probably give in and buy the cheapest kind I can find. I was so happy to find something they actually liked! I haven't tried spagetti, but if they like it that would sure be cheaper! Thanks for the tip!

I don't know about how much bread is too much for 6 week old chicks, as a matter of fact, I just counted and that's how old mine are now. They didn't even look at it, or the meal worms, and that's OK with me because those are expensive!

 

[angi]

We used to give our adult chickens marshmallows and watch them play keep away/football or whatever it is they play!

 

[Imp]

The usual recommendation is that treats should be less than 10% of their diet.

Chickens are commonly afraid of new things. So you may need to offer it several times before they warm up to it.

Imp

 

[iliamna]

I use spaghetti or any pasta for treats. They really like that. Sometimes I make a grain gruel that seems to be good for them. I'm having a problem with thin shelled eggs from two of my chickens and can't figure out why because they eat the same food as the others; it's a mixture of egg layer mash, bird seed, corn & oyster shell & I add sunflower seeds to that also. Does anyone have any ideas? Iliamna

 

[Imp]

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/1/egg-quality-handbook/16/thinshelled-eggs-and-shellless-eggs

Food sources of calcium

1.Spinach
2.Turnip greens
3.Mustard greens
4.Collard greens
5.Blackstrap molasses Can cause diarhea
6.Swiss chard
7.Yogurt
8.Kale
9.Mozzarella cheese
10.Milk (goat's milk and cow's milk)
11.Basil, thyme, dill seed, cinnamon, and peppermint leaves
12.Romaine lettuce
13.Rhubarb
14. Have no idea why 14 is empty
15.Broccoli
16.Sesame seeds
17.Fennel
18.Cabbage
19.Summer squash
20.Green beans
21.Garlic Can give eggs an off taste and odor
22.Tofu
23.Brussel sprouts
24.Oranges Some people do not feed their chickens citrus
25.Asparagus
26.Crimini mushrooms

 

[emys]

I use spaghetti or any pasta for treats. They really like that. Sometimes I make a grain gruel that seems to be good for them. I'm having a problem with thin shelled eggs from two of my chickens and can't figure out why because they eat the same food as the others; it's a mixture of egg layer mash, bird seed, corn & oyster shell & I add sunflower seeds to that also. Does anyone have any ideas? Iliamna

Yes, chickens have been known to pick out only their favorite foods from mixed feed (Like kids choosing candy over more nutritious foods). The two laying soft shells may be eating mostly corn, bird seed and pasta. You may have to switch to just layer feed for awhile and use chopped greens such as collards, kale, parsley, cilantro for treats until they get back to normal.​

 

[iliamna]

Thanks for the food list, IMP. I'll keep that posted somewhere.