How to get them to eat more than crumble and mealworms?

[PowellAnimals]

My chicks and ducklings are fed Purina Medicated grower and they love to eat that and dried mealworms out of my hand. They also forage and snack on things around the yard. However, they refuse to eat sunflower seeds or any scraps I bring out (fruit and vegetables). They come to me when I call them, peck at what is in my hand, and decide they do not want any of it. If I just throw it on the ground, the same happens. I see all of these posts about people's chickens eating lots of different treats and especially loving black sunflower seeds. How do I get mine to enjoy these types of food?

 

[chickenlover09]

When my chickens were young, they refused to eat anything besides their feed. When they were a 2 months old or something, i started giving them boiled eggs, and they really loved that (it sounds weird but it's good for them). Then gradually as they got older, they started eating more things, and now (they're a little over a year), they eat anything and everything I throw for them

 

[ChickenCanoe]

They're likely too young to be adventurous.
They're also better off when young to only be eating a complete ration. While it is good to feed table scraps, that can throw off the balanced nutrition in the feed.

 

[PowellAnimals]

Great to know that they will get more adventurous. They're seven weeks old and have loved those mealworms since they were tiny so wanted to make sure I did not introduce them to other things young enough. Thank you!

 

[ChickenMammX4]

Mine really didn't like fruits & veggies until they were older. Just keep offering different food, their curiosity will get the best of them.

 

[itsnickers]

Well, I am glad that my chickens aren't the only picky eaters out there!

I have 4, 16 week old golden buffs. They refused to eat anything other than starter feed until they went outside. I am in Arizona and it's been HOT! They started eating frozen watermelon and strawberries, then they would also eat chilled yogurt. Unfortunately they still refuse to eat other seeds, scraps or even meal worms! Just lately they are 'trying' foods but not necessarily liking them.

When I go outside they run at me and chatter away until I put something down for them... if it is watermelon I had better be fast or they will fly up to me to get it!

 

[Trefoil]

As long as you don't spray, try swatting flies and offering them.

 

[HighStreetCoop]

My chicks and ducklings are fed Purina Medicated grower and they love to eat that and dried mealworms out of my hand. They also forage and snack on things around the yard. However, they refuse to eat sunflower seeds or any scraps I bring out (fruit and vegetables). They come to me when I call them, peck at what is in my hand, and decide they do not want any of it. If I just throw it on the ground, the same happens. I see all of these posts about people's chickens eating lots of different treats and especially loving black sunflower seeds. How do I get mine to enjoy these types of food?

Exposure and reexposure. Just keep trying new things. Try sprouting the sunflower seeds (soak overnight, strain, and let sit in a strainer/colander for a couple of days, rinsing daily. Try some sprouts from the store. Or a little tomato (chop it up). Mine are always suspicious of any new food, and sometimes they're downright nutty (for example, they love red and green tomatoes, but orange ones they completely ignore).