Good treats for three-week-old chicks - any thoughts?

[lisahaschickens]

Hi JenMT -

Thank you SO much for the good details - this is what I've been looking for for all this time and I couldn't get any detailed responses. I wish I knew all that when they were still tiny and in the brooder! Oh well... they are too big and too fast for all that now and they are living out in the coop. I have had some good luck with sitting on the floor with them... several of them like to hop up on my lap and arms, and three of them will let me touch them a LITTLE. I fear that I am too late to make them truly snuggle-able, which makes me REALLY REALLY sad, but I will DEFINITELY keep your advice in mind the next time I get a batch of chicks

I really appreciate the response

All -

as for treats, I have now discovered that they are BONKERS for yogurt and I have been giving them earthworms since their first week and they do love those as well. I have read that they love bread and apples but mine don't seem to care for those things at all. I've tried and they peck at them, drop them, and then ignore them. I guess they are picky!

Thanks all!

 

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

My Cuckoos were absolute lunatics until I started giving them treats at 3-4 weeks of age. I was seriously starting to dislike having them, they were such spastic little 'fraidy cats and would make a huge mess of their brooder by freaking out whenever I walked by.

 

[RendonRoo]

If you hold them close to your chest so they can feel or hear your heartbeat they will attach to you better. I learned this from raising cockateals years ago. Just talk to them and pet them it should help. On the yogurt thing i've been mixing their crumbles with the yogurt and this helps keep them from slinging it everywhere. Good Luck

 

[chookchick]

lisahaschickens--you haven't missed out snuggy chickens. Most of them go through a wild teenage stage anyway. My first batch I got at 2 weeks and never held them (they were like wild birds), but the one hen that is left is very friendly--I'm sure if I worked with her, I could get her to be a lap pet (she jumps up, but doesn't care for petting). Just let them know that human=treats and they will love you!

 

[Gonzo the Great]

Quote:
Most of the earthworms i've pulled out of the ground seem to be loaded with some dirt in their stomaches...so, bonus on the nightcrawlers....

 

[BoiseBubba]

one thing, DO NOT GIVE THEM EARTH WORMS THEY CAN GIVE THE CHICKS GASTROINTESTINAL WORMS AND KILL THEM!!!!! but Dandylion is really good for them, I read that in Backyard Poultry magazine, it has like every known vitamin in it, just make sure it hasn't been sprayed with weed killer

 

[JenMT]

That earth worm thing is weird!

 

[boxermom]

Won't the chicks get worms if they are free ranging?

Very interesting, but I am curious.....

 

[lisahaschickens]

I have never heard of that problem with earthworms. Chickens are crazy for them and eat them like crazy when they free-range. It is true that chickens get some parasitic worms when free-ranging... it's just a natural thing as they live in the grass, etc. If you keep clean, healthy chickens, worms shouldn't become a problem. I have read a ton about this and feel very confident. I have also been giving mine worms for weeks now and they love them and are doing really well and I have read about tons of other people who give them earthworms too.