People food/Treats

[AzChickMama]

This is probably a silly question but I have real anxiety when it comes to giving things to our chicks, so I need to hear from you pros. I know you can feed chicks people food and meats. I have given my pullets and cockerals berries, watermelon and melons, eggs, rice, BOSS, and oatmeal. Not all at once and yes in moderation. BUT I am terrified to give meat. Those that do give meat do you cut it in small pieces just give it whole and let them pick? I'm so afraid they will choke. What about worms? Can they only have mealworms or can I buy those big ones that are used for fishing? Do I need to cut them? I've never had chickens before we hatched our own 3 months ago and I've done lots is reading but there are so many scare tactics on the web. That is why I'm coming to those who actually raise chickens to hear your feedback. Yes I understand everyone has their own beliefs on giving treats and their own experiences good or bad they have encountered. We love our babies and I just want to learn as much as I can.

 

[Quaen]

This is probably a silly question but I have real anxiety when it comes to giving things to our chicks, so I need to hear from you pros. I know you can feed chicks people food and meats. I have given my pullets and cockerals berries, watermelon and melons, eggs, rice, BOSS, and oatmeal. Not all at once and yes in moderation. BUT I am terrified to give meat. Those that do give meat do you cut it in small pieces just give it whole and let them pick? I'm so afraid they will choke. What about worms? Can they only have mealworms or can I buy those big ones that are used for fishing? Do I need to cut them? I've never had chickens before we hatched our own 3 months ago and I've done lots is reading but there are so many scare tactics on the web. That is why I'm coming to those who actually raise chickens to hear your feedback. Yes I understand everyone has their own beliefs on giving treats and their own experiences good or bad they have encountered. We love our babies and I just want to learn as much as I can.

If your chickens are 3 months, they can eat a whole mealworm just fine. I know because I do it all the time. They LOVE it. That being said, treats should take up no more than 10% of a chicken's overall diet. Earthworms work as well, but I recommend mealworms. I like to raise my own mealworms, which I know a lot of others do. For meat, I rarely give them meat, because they like to run with it, and end up getting it dirty. Its just not very hygenic for me at least. But yes, mealworms, earthworms, any bugs they find, watermelon, fodder, some scratch, are all great chicken treats.

 

[nuthatched]

You can give them meat, no problem. (Have you ever seen 9 hens body slam each other for a steak?)I don't cut it up so they can rip off peices they can handle. It's gone really quickly. And they love them some chicken. You can give anything to chickens, within moderation. Just try to avoid salty or garlicky/onions food. I avoid giving mine worm since worms can carry worms but I know they find them out chickening.

 

[Tonyroo]

I've have given 1/2" to 3/4" mealworms to 2 week old chicks in moderation. That's my way to bond them to me after hatching them.

I wouldn't do meat, it attracts too many flies and wasps.

 

[nuthatched]

and end up getting it dirty. Its just not very hygenic for me at least

I know it's disgusting looking but they don't seem to mind, they kinda eat everything else of dirt.

 

[Quaen]

I know it's disgusting looking but they don't seem to mind, they kinda eat everything else of dirt.

Yeah, I know, but if I do not have to, I stay away from oily foods and meat. I like to place most wet treats in a bowl.

 

[Swbertrand1]

If your chickens are 3 months, they can eat a whole mealworm just fine. I know because I do it all the time. They LOVE it. That being said, treats should take up no more than 10% of a chicken's overall diet. Earthworms work as well, but I recommend mealworms. I like to raise my own mealworms, which I know a lot of others do. For meat, I rarely give them meat, because they like to run with it, and end up getting it dirty. Its just not very hygenic for me at least. But yes, mealworms, earthworms, any bugs they find, watermelon, fodder, some scratch, are all great chicken treats.

I don't know about giving birds steaks (meat), but I'll share this in response to your post:

We give live mealworms to our chicks at day 2. Yes, we give them the very small mealworms, but mealworms nonetheless. Why? It's the same thing that a momma hen teaches her chicks to do as soon as they can walk, and they learn VERY quickly that this is the holy grail of chicken food! Our adult birds agree too! They will run right through another chicken to get to mealworms, so we grow them here. Back to chicks though.

If you've never seen ten or twelve 4 day-old chicks go crazy over live mealworms in a brooder, you're really missing one of the funniest things you'll EVER see chicks do. They tear around the brooder, afraid they'll miss a worm, grab one, run in circles, duck and weave, swerve around their hatch-mates, and try to keep the worm for themselves. They would make Barry Sanders proud (NFL running back known for his amazing ability to change direction on a dime going full speed).

The best: when two chicks get the opposite end of a worm at precisely the same moment. The tug-of-war that ensures is side-splitting hilarious! Try it sometime; you won't regret giving chicks live mealworms, and you'll make chicks that come RUNNING to your hand any time you put it in the brooder...

 

[Quaen]

I don't know about giving birds steaks (meat), but I'll share this in response to your post:

We give live mealworms to our chicks at day 2. Yes, we give them the very small mealworms, but mealworms nonetheless. Why? It's the same thing that a momma hen teaches her chicks to do as soon as they can walk, and they learn VERY quickly that this is the holy grail of chicken food! Our adult birds agree too! They will run right through another chicken to get to mealworms, so we grow them here. Back to chicks though.

If you've never seen ten or twelve 4 day-old chicks go crazy over live mealworms in a brooder, you're really missing one of the funniest things you'll EVER see chicks do. They tear around the brooder, afraid they'll miss a worm, grab one, run in circles, duck and weave, swerve around their hatch-mates, and try to keep the worm for themselves. They would make Barry Sanders proud (NFL running back known for his amazing ability to change direction on a dime going full speed).

The best: when two chicks get the opposite end of a worm at precisely the same moment. The tug-of-war that ensures is side-splitting hilarious! Try it sometime; you won't regret giving chicks live mealworms, and you'll make chicks that come RUNNING to your hand any time you put it in the brooder...

I do that too, as soon as I can get them grit. IMO, mealworms don't count as "oily" and don't stick to dirt as the chickens run and drop some across the grass, so I love feeding them that.

 

[BlueBaby]

You can give them meat, no problem. (Have you ever seen 9 hens body slam each other for a steak?)I don't cut it up so they can rip off peices they can handle. It's gone really quickly. And they love them some chicken. You can give anything to chickens, within moderation. Just try to avoid salty or garlicky/onions food. I avoid giving mine worm since worms can carry worms but I know they find them out chickening.

Not to mention that they will also catch and eat mice and lizard's on their own.

 

[nuthatched]

Not to mention that they will also catch and eat mice and lizard's on their own.

I've seen mine hunt and kill lizards and mice, I've only seen them eat the lizards though but I'm not out there 24/7, I have no doubt they have.