My Birds are Ignoring Snails and Earth Worms

[PunkinPeep]

My flock of 6 b.o.'s is just 7 1/2 weeks old. Today, i noticed that they had a couple of gray snails by their feeder that they were totally ignoring, and then when they were out in the yard for a little while, i saw an earth worm come up out of the ground right where 3 of my birds were pecking around, and they completely ignored the worm.

I know they're not blind or anything. They chase bugs and moths and what not.

Is there something i can do? Will they figure it out eventually, or should i try to feed them a snail or something? I want them to get the most out what is naturally around for them to eat.

I'm a total newbie, so all advice is helpful, and nothing is really too basic.

Thanks.

 

[Tala]

hehehe I bet they'll figure it out.

Mine play tug-o-war with worms, and they just discovered slugs today.


How long have they been outside? I figure it'll just take a little time.

 

[PunkinPeep]

Quote:
They've been outside for about a week and a half. But i think the snails might be new since we've just had a lot of rain. I'm excited for them to start taking advantage of worms and stuff. We have LOTS of them, and i know they're good for the chicks, right?

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

regular earth worms do cause chickens to have
gapeworms
which attach to the throat area and look like a y
as the male is one part and the female is the other part
they can cause some distress to cickes
earth worms are the host for gape worm larvea

 

[PunkinPeep]

Quote:
oh my gosh! i had no idea.

 

[bluie]

it took months for my chickens to figure it out.

 

[CoopCrazy]

My 8 week olds would run freakinout any time i tossed a bug in there run, finally one got the courage to peck one then it waas on,, now they all look for the lil buggies in the run...