Finally got my chicks to take a treat from my hand!

[bow-chicka-bow-bow]

I'm so excited!

I finally got my chicks to take a treat from my hand! I had some left over cooked elbow macaroni, so I took a few pieces and held it in the brooder, and a one of my older chicks (about 6 weeks old) came up and pecked it out of my hand.

Then a few others came up and did the same. I put the rest in a small bowl and they ate it up. So far, I've given them a little bit of cheese and some noodles for treats.

They are in our homemade brooder (big plastic tub) and have pine shavings in the bottom and have only had the chick starter food, so I haven't given them any grit or anything else. I'm wondering if I should get some grit or something else since I've started giving them treats? I don't want to give them something that they can't digest, so I'm sticking with cheese and noodles for now. I'm just glad they aren't totally freaking out when "the hand" comes into the brooder and will actually stand there and let me pet them a little. They even run up to the little bowl when they see me put it in the tub.

 

[llrumsey]

When I got my first batch of chicks we kept them in our extra bathroom in the tub in the house. After about 2 or 3 days everytime I went in to clean out the tub the chicks would jump into the dust pan, couldnt figure out what was going on until I caught my companion in the bathroom on his hands and knees feeding the chicks from his had, letting them jump into his flat palm and eating the feed. Big tough man, geez. After that I figured out a better brooder system and didnt have that problem.

But I know how exciting it can be having the birds come to you and look forward to seeing you with their treats.

Good Luck.

 

[ginger c.]

how exciting!! ours are still running from us, hoping to win their trust with treats! we introduced worms last night, too funny, it was like a big game of keep away! one would grab the worm and run with everybody else giving chase. we're going to try yogurt tonight!

we did go ahead and start giving a little grit to be on the safe side, this seems to be a treat all in it's self. good luck, try the worms it's alot of fun to watch!!

 

[woodmort]

Watch your fingers, they could be next.

 

[cooper38]

Mine have learned that if they jump on top of the feeder or waterer they can see over the top and watch me. They sit up there watching me with their necks stretched out as far as they can waiting for a treat.