How Many Treats Is Too Many?

[Ninjasquirrel]

Just don't give them anything on this list - http://www.chickendvm.com/toxic.php

Thank you for this. I didnt know they couldnt have potatoes!!!

 

[Chickassan]

If they refuse a wafer thin mint, you've gone too far.

 

[Henriettamom919]

First off, the fact that you're posting this and fretting about fat chickens PROVES you're not a "bad chicken parent!"

Secondly, I had huge success with treat training. My older girls were 18-22weeks when we first got them from a huge farm and their trust in humans was...Well, non existent. A couple of weeks with oats, fruit and me turning over dirt for earthworms and now those are my girls. I can clean feathers, wipe beaks and my girls nap on me when I sit outside.

I'm just starting treat training my babies and just three days in they're literally crawling on me when I sit with them!

Just don't increase the amount and I think they'll be fine. If it ever seems like they're forgoing their feed waiting for treats just nix them for a few days (been there, did that )

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

I do not understand the infatuation with giving 'treats' to chickens.

 

[Peepsi]

I do not understand the infatuation with giving 'treats' to chickens.

For people who want chickens as pets, giving treats is a way to bond with them, and get them to like you. If you just have chickens as livestock, then I can see why you could not care less about treats.

 

[aart]

For people who want chickens as pets, giving treats is a way to bond with them, and get them to like you.

It's fine once in awhile...but for some reason I am all of a sudden picturing a grossly obese chihuahua captioned "So Loved".

 

[Chickassan]

This I agree on in a way. Treats are how the ones here are taught to do pretty much everything, no other choice they're dumb but greedy.
It does slow to a trickle once they get it and then down to a holiday or weather driven affair.
Much too expensive to regularly treat the feather pigs, we all have to eat.

For people who want chickens as pets, giving treats is a way to bond with them, and get them to like you. If you just have chickens as livestock, then I can see why you could not care less about treats.

 

[Peepsi]

It's fine once in awhile...but for some reason I am all of a sudden picturing a grossly obese chihuahua captioned "So Loved".

Haha, no...I'm not talking about treat abuse. But yeah, I have seen people do that to their pets. It's sad.

 

[AmyJane725]

First off, the fact that you're posting this and fretting about fat chickens PROVES you're not a "bad chicken parent!"

Secondly, I had huge success with treat training. My older girls were 18-22weeks when we first got them from a huge farm and their trust in humans was...Well, non existent. A couple of weeks with oats, fruit and me turning over dirt for earthworms and now those are my girls. I can clean feathers, wipe beaks and my girls nap on me when I sit outside.

I'm just starting treat training my babies and just three days in they're literally crawling on me when I sit with them!

Just don't increase the amount and I think they'll be fine. If it ever seems like they're forgoing their feed waiting for treats just nix them for a few days (been there, did that )

I’m SO glad to hear you managed to win over such old girls. I picked up some chicks on Wednesday that were 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!

 

[FeatheredFriends&Horses2]

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