How Much Treats Is Too Much????

[bails g]

Hi all!! I have 22 chicks, about a month and a half old. I treat them everyother day to yogurt or bananas or fruit or applesauce etc. Is that too much? It seems that they get very excited when I go out to them knowing they may get a treat, but am I giving them too much... breaks my heart when I go out empty handed and they are waiting all excited for me.

Also, I have a Silver Splangled Hamburg male. I would like him to become a 4h project, but he does not like to be handled. Should we just give up? He seems to flip out when we pick him up. I have others that will fly up on my knee to check me out and to chat softly to me...(love that) Is it just the breed? Thanks for your help. The response's are awsome and very helpful.

Also, can anyone tell me what a judge looks for in a chicken. We show beef and pigs, so this would be new to me. I think my chicks are all beautiful, but a judge may not agree. What exactly makes a chick a good 4h project?

 

[EngieKisses]

I do not believe you are feeding treats too often. Depends on the amount I suppose.
If the hamburg is 6 weeks old, I would not give up, but handle more. I have heard they are sometimes like that though, but with no personal experience, I am no where near an expert.

 

[NotTheMomma]

Mine get leftovers daily. I have 31 and they are a bit older than yours. They also get any bread that is getting stale, anything from the garden that is blemished, or has gotten too big. Some days I divide their 'goodies' up so they aren't getting that much at once, but several small snacks through-out the day. They seem to enjoy it, and I enjoy watching them.

As long as it's not interfering with their daily intake of feed, I say you're doing ok!

 

[briana1975]

Mine get treats every day. A little bread at night to ask them to go back into the chicken yard after free ranging and a little fruit or veggies after lunch. One time there were a couple left over chicken nuggets from the kids. They loved them.

One day I had a older head of broccolli. I chopped up the whole head and put it in there yard. They all had stinky poo for a day after. Yuck.