How Many Treats Is Too Many?

[aart]

From what I've read, mealworms are lean protein and a pretty healthy food source!

They are not lean, they are fatty.
Sorry, don't have the percentages.
OK will google:

 

[FeatheredFriends&Horses2]

They are not lean, they are fatty.
Sorry, don't have the percentages.
OK will google:
View attachment 1796980

Okay, sorry, must have been thinking of something else

 

[FeatheredFriends&Horses2]

Okay, sorry, must have been thinking of something else

I was thinking of stuff like this from www.rainbowmealworms.net, "ground beef and fish are on par with caterpillars as far as protein goes, but are lacking in the vitamin and iron levels (Bryant, 2008)." I had to do a research project on eating bugs, and they are considered a lean meat for people, but it could be totally different from chickens.

 

[aart]

caterpillars

Is a wide range of species and probably nutrition levels.

 

[Henriettamom919]

I’m SO glad to hear you managed to win over such old girls. I picked up some chicks on Wednesday that we’re 3 weeks old and I’ve been afraid they’re never gonna love me like the day olds do. I need to calm down. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

My older girls (and boy) sleep on me too. If I sit with my legs out they’ll all hop up and sit on them like roosting bars. Cutest darn thing.

I definitely won’t increase the number. I’d go broke.
I just got really nervous because I was reading another post where a lady with fewer chickens than I have (and full grown ones at that) was giving one handful of meal worms per week!

My babies were a little older than you'd typically find in co-op brooders and I think it's actually harder to win over those 'couple of weeks old' than adults. They're just so skittish when they first start getting their big girl feathers! I liken it to how suddenly your kids know everything the second they hit puberty- they get all stand offish and don't want you to touch them in public

Mine are about 8/9 weeks old now and starting to get affectionate again Meal worms are great bribery material!

 

[AmyJane725]

My babies were a little older than you'd typically find in co-op brooders and I think it's actually harder to win over those 'couple of weeks old' than adults. They're just so skittish when they first start getting their big girl feathers! I liken it to how suddenly your kids know everything the second they hit puberty- they get all stand offish and don't want you to touch them in public

Mine are about 8/9 weeks old now and starting to get affectionate again Meal worms are great bribery material!

Yeah, once the big girl feathers start coming in it's like they never used to snuggle their little heads into you and fall asleep in your hands. It sucks they get so scared of you all of a sudden. I think it's just a natural thing though. I've read some dog training books and when dogs hit their teenage years they suddenly become fearful of everything and lose a lot of their trustfulness/friendliness from when they were puppies.

You are totally right about the way kids get all standoffish. Teenagers are suddenly way too cool for you. lol.

The mealworms are a fantastic bribary tool. Mine got all scared of me at like 2 weeks, but as soon as I moved them out to the garage into a bigger house and introduced the mealworms I'm everyone's favorite momma again.