My chicks seem bored.

[wegotchickens]

Really?
I'm lucky then, cause my girls never had a problem with the roughage I brought them from the yard. Usually the pecked it small or tore it while they scratched. I remember twice having to pull a strand out of somebody's mouth, though, cause it was too long for them to swallow.

 

[jackiedon]

My chicks are the same age. I put a bowl with playsand and DE in it. I have given them mealworms which is sooo funny. I even cooked somes sphaghti and give them a strand of it. It's like they are playing football or keep away. I also have put some good size sticks in brooder where they start from the floor of the brooder. They have inched their way up to the top and jumps on top of the jar of their feeder.

Last night I have them a fig in their bowl of sand and at first they took off the stem and played keep away. Then when I said "chick chick" they come running and chirp. I rolled the fig in the sand and they started to pick at it. It was gone in no time.

jackie

 

[skatcatla]

I have nothing to add since I don't have my chicks yet, but I just wanted to say LOL at the idea of your chicks "looking at you like you're nuts."

 

[allen wranch]

It is the longer strands of grass that seem to cause problems. They work the whole blades into their mouths and it forms a tight wad that is hard to digest (even with grit). It affects adult chickens too.

If you give them grass, chop it into small pieces and feed small quanities. Another solution is to give them a big dirt clod with intact grass. They will have a ball digging in the clog for goodies and picking off pieces of the grass.

 

[Frozen Feathers]

Quote:
Really Queens Anne lace?? I have tons of that stuff, will have try it. Isn't Queens Anne poisonous, or just to people, or am I thinking of another plant??

CutestChickenFarmer~
Got any old Cds/DVDs? Hang them up in their area, the chicks love shiny things. Maybe a little parakeet mirror would peak their curiosity.

 

[CutestChickenFarmer]

A dirt clod with grass! Brilliant! I'm sure that will have them at first baffled beyond chirping, and then occupied for quite some time.

Will the resulting dirt that they ingest in above activity be sufficient grit, should I toss them a piece of fruit, as also suggested?

Great tips, everybody!

 

[CarriBrown]

Did anyone mention hanging a head of lettuce?

Hang it up just high enough that they have to work for it. You'll get a kick out of watching jumping chickens!

 

[TheOLDNewChick]

I have a parakeet mirror in the brooders, it has a bell at the bottom, too, so it keeps them pretty entertained.

 

[dreamgirl]

Mine LOVE dandelion greens (which are very nutritious) and Plantain leaves (another lawn "weed").