First Time Chick Parents, Spring 2016

[kekstrom]

How do you get your chicks to eat food leftover treats. Veggies and fruits? I've tried three and they just aren't receptive. Am I doing something wrong? Once with apple slices, twice with strawberry heads and a third time with tomatoes.

Do I just have 12 chicks that don't like food scraps?

I would just give it time. I bet when they are older, they'll become more interested in scraps.

 

[magicstorm]

Pretty! What breeds are they? And Basil too?

Pepper is an EE, or Ameraucana cross. Cinnamon is a Wheaten Ameraucana pullet, Kellogg is a Wheaten Ameraucana cockerel. Basil is a Blue Wheaten Ameraucana (at least that is the closest color, this one came from a lady that runs several colors of full bred ameraucanas in one flock. The Wheaten and my blacks came from a breeder that keeps colors separate

 

[Jensownzoo]

Congrats! Who laid it?

No idea! Well, some. Twenty of my girls are 5 1/2 months and probably 1/4-1/3 of their combs have turned red. I caught two of the most tolerant to look at their vents, but they looked the same and I don't want to stress the new layer out by chasing them all over. Got a second egg today too! Going to preserve the first egg and eat the second when I get home. Maybe I'll try blowing out the second egg and have it scrambled? They're so pretty with the extra calcium streaks.

In other news, the geese/ducks got the cardboard side of their brooder soaking wet and burst through it like the Kool-aid man...they were wandering all over the place when I arrived. I caught up the three small geese and put them back (with something covering the hole) and shooed the rest out the door to joint the chickens and goats for some exercise. Starting building their pen was on the agenda today anyway, but they were a little impatient!

The raccoon-injured brahma is still doing well. Did a bandage change today and while it's not healing yet, at least it doesn't look infected. She's eating and drinking fine. I did have to put an outdoor cushion in the cage as she was getting one red hock from pressure. I got it at a goodwill outlet, so even if I can't clean it afterwards it's not much of a loss.

I thought that the silkie was injured by the raccoon too, but her symptoms are all neurologic so am not sure. I guess she could have hit her head? Had to wrap her up in a towel and put her in a small basket to keep her from flopping around and doing herself injury. Just syringe-fed her some nutri-drench because not sure she can eat/drink in this state. Going to try some hand-feeding formula later.

 

[AmandaMBG]

Ya I used a kiddie pool for my ducks and put a tray under their waterer to help contain some of the water mess. I'm so sorry about the raccoon attack. Hopefully your silkie recovers.

No idea! Well, some. Twenty of my girls are 5 1/2 months and probably 1/4-1/3 of their combs have turned red. I caught two of the most tolerant to look at their vents, but they looked the same and I don't want to stress the new layer out by chasing them all over. Got a second egg today too! Going to preserve the first egg and eat the second when I get home. Maybe I'll try blowing out the second egg and have it scrambled? They're so pretty with the extra calcium streaks.

In other news, the geese/ducks got the cardboard side of their brooder soaking wet and burst through it like the Kool-aid man...they were wandering all over the place when I arrived. I caught up the three small geese and put them back (with something covering the hole) and shooed the rest out the door to joint the chickens and goats for some exercise. Starting building their pen was on the agenda today anyway, but they were a little impatient!

The raccoon-injured brahma is still doing well. Did a bandage change today and while it's not healing yet, at least it doesn't look infected. She's eating and drinking fine. I did have to put an outdoor cushion in the cage as she was getting one red hock from pressure. I got it at a goodwill outlet, so even if I can't clean it afterwards it's not much of a loss.

I thought that the silkie was injured by the raccoon too, but her symptoms are all neurologic so am not sure. I guess she could have hit her head? Had to wrap her up in a towel and put her in a small basket to keep her from flopping around and doing herself injury. Just syringe-fed her some nutri-drench because not sure she can eat/drink in this state. Going to try some hand-feeding formula later.

 

[Jensownzoo]

Ya I used a kiddie pool for my ducks and put a tray under their waterer to help contain some of the water mess. I'm so sorry about the raccoon attack. Hopefully your silkie recovers.

The cardboard walls are taped together inside a kiddie pool. Pretty sure the geese were the jail-breakers and the ducks just followed along.

 

[Rostercogbern]

second batch production reds golden nugget barred rock and black sex link

 

[pinebarrens]

I would just give it time. I bet when they are older, they'll become more interested in scraps.

This fits with our experience. Our crew were very suspicious of most foods until they were, oh, 8-10ish weeks old? Then they started branching out. They are about 4 months now and eat most of what I offer them.

They hate dried mealworms, though. Won't touch them. Eat around them when I mix them into other food. My chickens are weird.

 

[harley587]

This fits with our experience. Our crew were very suspicious of most foods until they were, oh, 8-10ish weeks old? Then they started branching out. They are about 4 months now and eat most of what I offer them.

They hate dried mealworms, though. Won't touch them. Eat around them when I mix them into other food. My chickens are weird.

Hey pinebarrens, try soaking the dried mealworms in water for about 10-15 minutes. It makes them juicy so that they appear to be more lifelike and then they might appeal to your chickens.

 

[pinebarrens]

Hey pinebarrens, try soaking the dried mealworms in water for about 10-15 minutes. It makes them juicy so that they appear to be more lifelike and then they might appeal to your chickens.

I never thought of doing that. Thanks, I will try it next time

I've been trying to talk myself into trying them on some live ones, but to be honest they really gross me out.

 

[ladynewtochicks]

How do you get your chicks to eat food leftover treats. Veggies and fruits? I've tried three and they just aren't receptive. Am I doing something wrong? Once with apple slices, twice with strawberry heads and a third time with tomatoes.

Do I just have 12 chicks that don't like food scraps?

I wouldn't stress it too much I bet they'll grow into it. Mine would avoid treats like the plague until they got a bit older, now they eat just about anything ive put in there. Also I leave my apples whole and they just pick at them (you know since we are in that stage where the toddlers just want one bite from 4 different apples

).