One Week Chicken Treats

[SpunkieT]

Im trying to come up with chick treats, and they tried egg but they just ate and not like they were having a "treat" any ideas?

Try shredded cheese. I have a pet chicken and she will throw down with the dog over cheese.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

One week old chickies don't need special treats. Too many treats and like kids, they will refuse to eat their nutritionally balanced chick feed.

Apparently no one wants to listen to that. It's all about treats, and fun for the human, not what's best for the rapidly growing chicks that need to eat a balanced ration to avoid developing deficiencies and all that goes with that.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Apparently no one wants to listen to that. It's all about treats, and fun for the human, not what's best for the rapidly growing chicks that need to eat a balanced ration to avoid developing deficiencies and all that goes with that.

I do offer treats the 1st week maybe a little egg (1/2 boiled egg yolk) , 1 grape finely chopped (this is for the whole brooder), you get the picture, very small amounts and given in the afternoon when they have been eating their feed all day.

I increase the amount over time, currently I have 6chicks that are around 7 1/2wks old, they share 1 hard boiled egg once a week as a treat, that egg is gone in less than 2minutes. They only get 1 "treat" a day, it could be 1 kale leaf, 1 medium large broccoli stalk, 1/4 large apple, etc. Moderation is key with growing chicks. As they grow, the treat size grows slightly, but I still try, even with adults to limit the daily extras.

I've found if you make a big deal out of something, chicks think just about anything you bring them is a treat. I usually hand feed a little of their wet mash to them when I come to re-fill it, they are enthusiastic. Even my adults think that it's the most wonderful thing to get hand fed out of the mash container

 

[llombardo]

I do offer treats the 1st week maybe a little egg (1/2 boiled egg yolk) , 1 grape finely chopped (this is for the whole brooder), you get the picture, very small amounts and given in the afternoon when they have been eating their feed all day.

I increase the amount over time, currently I have 6chicks that are around 7 1/2wks old, they share 1 hard boiled egg once a week as a treat, that egg is gone in about 2minutes. They only get 1 "treat" a day, it could be 1 kale leaf, 1 medium large broccoli stalk, 1/4 large apple, etc. Moderation is key with growing chicks. As they grow, the treat size grows slightly, but I still try, even with adults to limit the daily extras.

I've found if you make a big deal out of something, chicks think just about anything you bring them is a treat. I usually hand feed a little of their wet mash to them when I come to re-fill it, they are enthusiastic. Even my adults think that it's the most wonderful thing to get hand fed out of the mash container

Treats are given here right before bed.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I do offer treats the 1st week maybe a little egg (1/2 boiled egg yolk) , 1 grape finely chopped (this is for the whole brooder), you get the picture, very small amounts and given in the afternoon when they have been eating their feed all day.

I increase the amount over time, currently I have 6chicks that are around 7 1/2wks old, they share 1 hard boiled egg once a week as a treat, that egg is gone in less than 2minutes. They only get 1 "treat" a day, it could be 1 kale leaf, 1 medium large broccoli stalk, 1/4 large apple, etc. Moderation is key with growing chicks. As they grow, the treat size grows slightly, but I still try, even with adults to limit the daily extras.

I've found if you make a big deal out of something, chicks think just about anything you bring them is a treat. I usually hand feed a little of their wet mash to them when I come to re-fill it, they are enthusiastic. Even my adults think that it's the most wonderful thing to get hand fed out of the mash container

I have always considered eggs in any form not a treat as they contain everything a growing chick needs.

Those first few weeks seem important for them to get the right stuff. I read so many posts of star gazing, weak legs, and other generalised problems. Everyone recommends vitamins as the fix.

I've never seen a single chick with any of those problems. Mine only get the starter which contains all the necessary vitamins, and a bit of eggs daily until after 8 weeks, than I slowly start adding in extra stuff and they are allowed to range at that age as well.

Too much extras too early, in my opinion is where these problems are coming from, or else I would see them too on occasion.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have always considered eggs in any form not a treat as they contain everything a growing chick needs.

Those first few weeks seem important for them to get the right stuff. I read so many posts of star gazing, weak legs, and other generalised problems. Everyone recommends vitamins as the fix.

I've never seen a single chick with any of those problems. Mine only get the starter which contains all the necessary vitamins, and a bit of eggs daily until after 8 weeks, than I slowly start adding in extra stuff and they are allowed to range at that age as well.

Too much extras too early, in my opinion is where these problems are coming from, or else I would see them too on occasion.

I do believe that you are right. There has to be a balance if you are giving treats to chicks. I can't stress enough everything in moderation.

Some of the conditions that are seen where vitamins may be helpful as a fix like you mention (stargazing, weak legs, etc.) can be due to what the chicks are being fed, but the health and/or vitamin/mineral deficiency of parent stock is also to be considered.

We all do things differently and have to find what seems to work best for each of us. I have not had any problems so far with what I do, but am constantly evaluating, reading, researching and learning. I am always willing to change or modify my methods as I learn new things and gather more information along the way.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I do believe that you are right. There has to be a balance if you are giving treats to chicks. I can't stress enough everything in moderation.

Some of the conditions that are seen where vitamins may be helpful as a fix like you mention (stargazing, weak legs, etc.) can be due to what the chicks are being fed, but the health and/or vitamin/mineral deficiency of parent stock is also to be considered.

We all do things differently and have to find what seems to work best for each of us. I have not had any problems so far with what I do, but am constantly evaluating, reading, researching and learning. I am always willing to change or modify my methods as I learn new things and gather more information along the way.

That's the best thing about chicken keeping, there's no one right way, and everyone needs to find what works best for them. Most of my husbandry is based on trial and error, and successes. What works for me perfectly may not work for others.

I just always wonder why others seems to be having troubles that I've never seen. Mostly it's curiosity as to why.

 

[obicat]

I give them live crickets once every 10 days or so and eggs if we have too many. They also get to go out on nice days and dig around in the garden. I've always found they arent interested in anything else until they get a little older.

I raise silkies and showgirls who lay down a lot of feather so I'm happy for them to have extras in the form of bugs and eggs

 

[Wyorp Rock]

That's the best thing about chicken keeping, there's no one right way, and everyone needs to find what works best for them. Most of my husbandry is based on trial and error, and successes. What works for me perfectly may not work for others.
I just always wonder why others seems to be having troubles that I've never seen. Mostly it's curiosity as to why.

That is a very good question and I don't have an answer! Type of feed/freshness, excess treats, genetics, parent stock nutrition/health, incubation problems, animal husbandry, where the chicks came from and I'm sure other things too, all play a part.
I have not kept up with any "data" to see if there is anything "common" among the people that ask for help. We do have to remember, we never hear about all the 1000's of chicks that have no problems, just the ones that do