How often can i give treats?

[rubyrogue]

I just got my hens and they are not as friendly as i would like. I know they may or may not warm up to me but i am using mealworms as a lure. How often can i give them and how many? Also i was going to get some crickets like what they sell for reptiles are those okay? I remember my grandma giver her chickens earthworms. So i guess my question is how often can i spoil them? They get layena and have a flock block and oyster shell. But i like to try to get them to eat out of my hand. what are some other good treats? what fruits and veggies can they have?

 

[alicefelldown]

Spoil away!

There are no 'limits' on how many treats you give them. You can also think of the mealworms and bugs as extra protein that will help them eat less of their pellets.

Cooked Spaghetti is a fun one to feed them. I grow a small salad garden (various kinds of spinach, lettuce, and the like) that they go crazy for. Mow the lawn, toss in the clippings. Harder root veggies you can microwave or steam. They love broken chunks of melons and squashes. If you can eat it, it's a good bet they will too.

(p.s. - the sticky at the top of this board section links to a very nice 'treats chart' if you have questions about particular veggies or fruits.)
Quote:

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Treats like meal worms and crickets you can largely give free choice.

Other treats like bread, crackers, scratch grains and so on I would not give more than a half a handful per bird per day since you're feeding Layena and have a Flock Block already.

.....Alan.

 

[rubyrogue]

That good to hear because i just ordered a 1000 mealworms for 7 bucks

 

[chuckzoo]

You don't mention giving them grit, so if they don't have access to any I would put a small container of grit out for them, they will need it to grind up the exoskeltons of cickets and meal worms.

 

[chuckzoo]

Quote:
Are those the freeze dried ones?

 

[rubyrogue]

nope live, i had a coupon but i bought some freeze dried too

 

[2DogsFarm]

Once you find their fave treat it won't be long before you are their BPFF <Best Poultry Friend Forever.
I got my pullets when they were 9wks old and they ran from me like I was Satan-on-Wheels for months.

Then I discovered raisins (thank you, BYC)
Those and them reaching laying age seemd to do the trick.
They now run TO me - they run funny

- and even recognize the tupperware that has the raisins in it.

Their other Fave Treat is a mix of BOSS & whole oats I toss to them as scratch.
Much happy clucking as they scratch for each grain