I have some DUMB chicks!

[DawnB]

I have put apples, warm oatmeal and other treats in and they won't eat any of them!! I get a couple that will pick at it briefly, but then everyone pretty much ignores it.

Is this normal? I thought chicks liked treats. This is my first round of chicks. They're 3wks old. Do they just have to be a little older to be interested?

 

[achickschirp]

your chicks aren't dump sometimes what I think is that they are not used to eating that. In the hatchery or store they were in probably only fed them chick starter/grower

 

[chickydee64]

your chicks aren't dump sometimes what I think is that they are not used to eating that. In the hatchery or store they were in probably only fed them chick starter/grower

HI,
Even my older hens will generally ignore new food..................and some things they just turn thier nose at.
3 weeks is pretty young........treats for me at that age is a few tiny pieces of bread. I try to get them to take it from my hand.....
Takes a lot of patience..or scrambled egg........they will only take time amounts to start..........
Keep trying.they will eventually figure it out

 

[LeBlackbird]

Your chicks aren't dumb! They just don't know that what you're giving them is food. If someone shoved something I've never seen before in front of me and told me to eat, I definitely wouldn't touch it! Just keep encouraging them to explore it and eventually they'll get the idea that they can eat what you're giving to them I also recommend providing grit when feeding anything other than starter, to aid in digestion.

 

[FatherofFlowers]

There's nothing dumb about a picky baby. I can't name many baby animals that leap at the chance to eat new and exciting foods when they're young.
Give them grit and give it time. As they get older, they'll get more curious. I've found the more they're actively tearing around scratching up their bedding looking for things to eat or play with, they more likely they are to possibly try it out. It goes along with their basic instincts (dig up things and see if they're edible).

 

[TheChickInn]

Mine have always loved mashed-up, hard boiled eggs for a treat. Otherwise, you can just sprinkle some of their chick starter feed that they are used to eating on top of the "treat".......they will catch on quickly.

 

[Break an Egg]

Try getting them, one by one on your palm with just some starter. This is how I get mine to get used to me feeding them.

 

[DawnB]

Hi all..thanks. I have been giving them some sprinkles of grit and they have a bowl of sand to play in. They are very inquisitive and they are finally figuring out that "the HAND brings the FOOD"...haha!

I'll have to try some of the techniques you guys suggested...thanks again for the tips!