Pullets wont eat anything but feed

[CUchickens]

I read of a lot of people who feed their chickens all kinds of things. Well, I go out and tried to feed mine things like strawberries, apples to no avail. The chickies just look at me like I am crazy. Are they just too young to start eating other things? they are about 7 wks.

thanks for any thoughts!

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Their curiosity will eventually win out. All it takes is for the boldest one to finally try something and then the game's on. Keep trying.

 

[MissPrissy]

Sprinkle some of their feed over it. You have to teach them it is food. You are the momma hen.

 

[Lobzi]

Cook up and mash some carrots. That is my Chickie's absolute favorite. She has a bit of a sweet tooth I suspect.

 

[Darin115]

I had the same problem with some pullet house white leghorns I bought a few weeks ago.

They would not even eat scratch grain I sprinkled on the ground. I thought they were stupid. I guess they never ate anything but out a a feeder their entire life. They are only 18 weeks old.

I put a old hen in with them and she flies into whatever I put in there. Rice and carrots are her favoirte. Fried shrimp is a close second.

After she started eating the others followed suit quickly.

Then I turned a lizard in with them. For 15 minutes if was war. They fought over that lizard. After a while it was all over. That poor lizard was torn into many many pieced and consumed.

Darin

 

[healingdeva]

I started cooking up a little oatmeal and feeding that to them every morning. They got it right away. I always feed in the same type of container and they are getting the idea to at least try what I put in there. Things that are "different" like strawberries and chopped broccoli get strange stares but eventually someone tries it and then they either opt in or out. I'm keeping a list of what they like.

 

[chickenlady]

No need to rush them. Chicken feed is the best for them to eat. Too many extras is not good for them.

 

[fivebigreds]

place the food on the ground ,tap it with your finger and make rapid clucking sounds .

 

[RayP]

Moma chickens teach their babies what to eat by pecking at it so if you tap it with your fingers at the food the babies will probably get the idea faster.

 

[CUchickens]

why just tap it with my finger, shouldnt I just throw it on the ground and peck it with my mouth?