Graduating to Healthy Treat

[dianer29]

My SILKIES are 3 weeks old .I tried the plain yogurt last week ,no one liked it . Yet I will try again at a later time. At this stage of development what is acceptable to give them as a nutritional treat ? Would it be beneficial for their socialization to hand offer the treats to each chick?

 

[Highland Moongazer]

They will be your best friend if you give them mealworms... at least until you run out.

 

[the lemon tree]

Personally I hand fed my chicks for the first 6 weeks or so until two in particular started pecking at my hands, even when I was only changing the waterer. Every time I put my hand in their brooder they automatically assumed I'd bear treats. Those beaks are sharp!

Anyway, that might not happen to you, I don't know. Holding and petting them from such a young age really helped in socialization, for sure.

 

[fldiver97]

Mine wre not into treats until they were several weeks old and then only a few things. It changed after they were a bit older, they will try more things now. Around 6 - 8 weeks old they were really into mealworms, leftover pasta (watching them eat cooked spaghetti was hysterically funny....) and oatmeal. It took a couple of times offering yoghurt and cottage cheese, now they love it. First time watermelon was a flop, now they jump up to get it before I can put it down....Give it a little time, they will 'get it'....

 

[Kriquet]

My chicks are not quite 1 1/2 weeks old and I just picked them up one at a time and dropped a mealworm in my hand and held it in front of them. As soon as the worm started squirming the chick would give it the 'ole one-eye' and grab it. It took a few minutes for the girls to realize it was food - but well worth the effort! Now when I check on them they all hop up and run to me and see who can hop into my hand first!