Picky Chickens

[missouri_chick]

I'm having a slightly hard time introducing my flock to different foods. They eat their feed just fine but when I offer them scraps (bits of onion, mushrooms, garlic, etc.) in their feeder, they usually eat around it or just throw it around the coop. I'm considering blitzing the scraps in a food processer and mixing it in with the feed but I don't know if that'll work. Does anyone have any tips?

 

[paneubert]

Is there a reason you want them to eat the scraps? Is it a cost saving measure?

If it aint broke, don't fix it.

But if you are dedicated to getting them to eat the stuff, couple reasons they may be avoiding it.

1. It is in their feeder, mixed with the food they like. So they push it aside and eat the food they like. Possible solutuion is to feed it on the side in a separate container.
2. It is new to them, so they are afraid of it. Very common for everything. New foods, new toys, new surroundings, new noise. Solution is patience while they get used to the new things.
3. All three of the items you listed are usually considered less than desirable by chickens. Haha. Onions can literally be bad for them......so there is that.

 

[missouri_chick]

Is there a reason you want them to eat the scraps? Is it a cost saving measure?

If it aint broke, don't fix it.

But if you are dedicated to getting them to eat the stuff, couple reasons they may be avoiding it.

1. It is in their feeder, mixed with the food they like. So they push it aside and eat the food they like. Possible solutuion is to feed it on the side in a separate container.
2. It is new to them, so they are afraid of it. Very common for everything. New foods, new toys, new surroundings, new noise. Solution is patience while they get used to the new things.
3. All three of the items you listed are usually considered less than desirable by chickens. Haha. Onions can literally be bad for them......so there is that.

It’s sort of a “waste not, want not” thing that’s been ingrained in my head. Like, I feel bad throwing food even if there isn’t enough to make into another meal/dish.

I asked on the onion thing to a Veterinarian and they gave me the okay before I even attempted to give it to them but I don’t think he raises a flock so idk…

I spent some time with them around lunch time and they seemed interested in the carrot I had on a plate (which would of been fine except for the fact I was trying to eat said carrot) so maybe I was just offering the wrong foods. I’ll try leaving a separate container of some carrot and see if they eat any before I put them up for the night.

 

[SueT]

I heard that about onions too.
Anyway, they say feed should constitute 90% of chickens' diet. Any more than 10% non-feed items can dilute the nutrition needed for growth, and later for producing eggs, so go easy. They can also get spoiled and snub their feed, holding out for 'treats.' Usually when people call their birds 'picky eaters' they mean refusing to eat their feed.
Here's an article on different foods/treats
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...—the-best-treats-for-backyard-chickens.47738/

 

[PirateGirl]

I give mine scraps too, if they eat it great, if not, they still scratch at it and help break it down and help it decompose and compost back into the earth. I still feel it's better than these things going to the landfill.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Personally I wouldn't be feeding them onions, garlic or mushrooms, so try changing up the treats and you should get better results.

Some stuff that my chickens like: strawberries, peaches, melon seeds, squash seeds, cauliflower leaves, parsley, carrot tops.

 

[missouri_chick]

I’m going to take your guys advice and stick to food on the Chicken Treat Chart via the Learning Center. I can go ahead and start a compost pile for any other scraps. Thanks to everyone that replied!