I'm stumped: treats for 1 week old chicks

[Ravishaw]

I read this forum and want to see the cuteness in my 12 new chicks. 3 RIR, 3 barred Rocks, 3 Amaricaunas, and 3 white wps (not even gonna try to spell them).

I've tried the following:
nectarine
apple
peanut butter
scrambled eggs (shared some of mine and even made them their own egg without salt and pepper)

nothing. They get close to it and shake their little heads like the smell is offensive. One of my BR's got close, pecked at some eggs and walked back to her crumble (and kicked a load of pine shavings into the water dish).

I'm by no means desperate, they're only a week old. I'd just LOVE to see them get excited about something besides running away from my hand every time I put it into the brooder.

 

[Tam'ra of Rainbow Vortex]

Strawberries, blackberries, grass, and earthworms are the ones mine loved best -once they were brave enough to eat them! Till they were 3 months old, mine would never believe i was trying to feed them food. I would bring them things, they ran away. Cautiously they apporoached the 'thing' and then backed away. But after a few minutes they got it, and the next time, they knew it was good and fought over it.

 

[karimw]

One thing my babies loved at a a few days old was chewed up carrot. And yes I chewed up carrots for them and fed them from my hand. Gross maybe, but that's what many momma birds do for their babies. They are two months old now and come running at the sound of crunching carrots. I gave them whole grain bread too in small amounts. I was warned too much would be bad for them.

 

[MotherJean]

...and don't forget the grit.

 

[PriceFamilyFarms]

I found a treat my chicks and hens all love - it's an unsweetened puffed rice cereal - they go nuts over it!! It comes in a bag on the cereal isle and costs like .89 cents a bag.

FYI - NEVER GIVE A CHICK OR ANY BIRD FOR THAT MATTER RAW, UNCCOKED RICE!!!!! It expands in them and will kill them.

 

[tammyd57]

Popcorn. They can't resist.

 

[sydney13]

mine are they same

ive tried every thing people say like carrots or eggs but they never like it. their are only a few things mine go crazy for and those are strawberries, which they wil chase each other around for hours ( i think they like it because they are red), and a big clump of dirt

 

[FowlLanguage]

Mine love apples that have have been very finely cut (almost applesauce) in a blender.

 

[Peppermint]

Mealworms make mine go bonkers, but what they love BEST: a big hunk of grass with lots of dirt on it...they totally shred it all up and then take turns dirt bathing in it. Great entertainment!

 

[chickenlover16]

There is something very cute about little chickies enjoying a wedge of watermelon. Its 90 degreees right now in mid michigan and the babies seem so appreciative for the cool sweetness!