mealworms?

[Dan Saiyan]

hi! i have two silkie chicks that i'm raising, and i'm wondering when to start feeding them mealworms? they're four weeks old today, and i've tried introducing mealworms to them twice now, but they don't seem to...want them? one at least pecked at a mealworm but didnt show any interest past that even after i showed them that it was food by pecking on it with my finger. should i wait until they're older or do some chickens just not care about mealworms? i'd hate to waste this bag i've got!

 

[MissChick@dee]

When I first introduced worms I crushed them. It took until they were much bigger to take a whole worm.
Be sure and have grit available for them.
Best wishes

 

[Dan Saiyan]

When I first introduced worms I crushed them. It took until they were much bigger to take a whole worm.
Be sure and have grit available for them.
Best wishes

oh that makes sense! thank you!

 

[ejtrout31]

I would wait a little longer and try again or crush them .
Try to leave a few in a separate dish and let them play with them. Trust me soon as they realize what they are they will love them.

 

[imnukensc]

They can eat the mealworms now. The problem is they don't know what it is. Some folks seem to think chickens automatically know that mealworms are delicious and nutritious (for a chicken). They don't. Would you eat popcorn if you had never seen it before? How about an oyster?

 

[silkie1472]

Many chicks love mealworms, but silkies are a whole different breed...literally.

I bred silkies for 2 years and became very familiar with the breed. Silkie chicks are very small, and even at four weeks, they are only about the size of 1 week old standard chicks. Also, their beaks are very small as well. I’m not saying that they won’t eat the mealworms, but because they are so small, I wouldn’t force them to do so. I wouldn’t have fed my silkies mealworms until they were a couple months old. I’ve noticed that they tend to be rather picky about food, and introducing mealworms, which should be given in moderation, may get them off of a good diet.

Hope this helps!!