My chickens are scared of people food

[KarynVA]

I have 3 golden comets that are 12 weeks old and I've been giving them treats of various kinds since they were 8 weeks old, but so far, they don't like much of what I give them. In fact, sometimes they seem terrified of it and won't even go near it! I know people food is not for their nutrition but only for treats or occasional use, so I'm not worried about it. They do enjoy scratch and mealworms. I just think it would be fun to see them enjoy a variety rather than their feed all the time. The only thing they really seem to like is plums and bread. They will fight over pieces of purple/ red plum. Other than that, I've tried (without success and often fear reaction):

boiled egg
watermelon
fresh kale from our garden
fresh ripe tomato from our garden that was split and had live ants inside
corn on the cob
apple
fresh peas and pea pods from the vine in the backyard
blueberries, blackberries, strawberries
probably lots of other stuff

Will they eventually try other foods or is this the way it's gonna be, do you think? It's fine if they only want to eat their food; I'm just hoping to give them some stimulation and variety. Does anyone else have picky chickens?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Human raised birds in my opinion take much longer to try new foods. They should eventually try them, they may not like all of them, but eventually they should start trying new foods

 

[Trisseh]

When I offer new things to my birds I literally just pop it on the ground or in a dish (depending on what it is lol) and let them check it out at their own pace. There’s always that one kid that’s braver than the others and eventually takes a bite, and then usually everyone else follows once they see that one didn’t die.
but seriously, I just let them investigate it. I find if I try to stick it in their faces they definitely don’t want to try it.

 

[KarynVA]

Um, yeah, I wouldn't stick it in their faces, lol. I just casually set it down within reach and go on my way, observing their reaction from afar.

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

Make a kissing sound or high pitched clicking sound when you feed them the new food. It sounds like the rooster tidbitting the hens, calling them for food.

We did this for years with our hens, making repetitive kissing noises, and when we finally got a rooster, it all seemed to fall into place. We had been calling our birds with a noise that they actually understood!

 

[Matejka]

Mine will ignore/run in terror the first time I offer a new food (just like my kids did), but the 2nd time-whoa get out of the way of the stampede.

 

[Trisseh]

Um, yeah, I wouldn't stick it in their faces, lol. I just casually set it down within reach and go on my way, observing their reaction from afar.

Lol, I don’t mean literally, I just mean placing strange objects relatively close to them.
I actually find their reactions to things hilarious. Other animals too. The first time calves have access to apples? Priceless.

 

[HappyClucker7]

It always takes a while for my hens to go near anything new. They were terrified of cabbage for a while. It took them a whole day just to go near it. Now the can't get enough of the cabbage. You just have to give them some time to figure it out.

 

[IamRainey]

Surprising! My chickens are all over it! They may run when it drops but they run right back once it's landed.

It sounds like you're offering them good stuff but if they won't eat it, I'd accept that and let them eat feed. They must have a reason we don't understand. But, of course, as they get older or circumstances change -- like a really hot day -- they may change their little chicken minds.

 

[Sonya9]

Human raised birds in my opinion take much longer to try new foods. They should eventually try them, they may not like all of them, but eventually they should start trying new foods

Very true, chicks with a hen won't try a new food until their mother tells them its okay.

I fed this springs chicks (with a hen) daily little meals on a plate and when I offered something new they rushed up and stared and obviously wanted it but kept looking at their mama, and when she checked it out and gave the "food cluck" they dove right in.