Toss them meal worms for the first time... And take note of how they react for the next couple of times.Thanks @NorthTexasWink ! Isn't it funny how they get so excited about new things? SUPER suspicious until they know it's a good thing! Then can't get enough!adorable babies!!!!
Then try iceberg lettuce.
At what age is it ok to start giving treats? Mine have had some plain yogurt..but otherwise just their feed. Is that mean?Toss them meal worms for the first time... And take note of how they react for the next couple of times.
No, you're not being mean. They can have treats as soon as they go into the brooder--but limit them to no more than 5% of their ration. I also like to give fresh greens by day 3 or 4. This time of year, turnip or beat greens work nicely, freshly picked as does grass clippings--again, in moderation... Think of your kids and chocolate. When I raise broilers, I'll use treats as a tool to get them moving and exercising. It makes the final bird a little more tough than store bought, but significantly reduces CX mortality rate and helps them develop into better foragers for when they go out on grass. But keep in mind that CX are bread to sit at the feed trough all day and do nothing else. IMO I get a better tasting bird when they learn to exercise at an early age.At what age is it ok to start giving treats? Mine have had some plain yogurt..but otherwise just their feed. Is that mean?
I've also discovered that adding an aggressive heritage chick, with the CXs get them moving and foraging better. I should say discovered by accident...I'd rather have some texture myself. Holds together better in soup, gumbo, pollo con arroz, etc.
What sweet babies!! You are super smart to make sure their new outdoor structure is solid. We had "something" rip open hardware cloth like it was paper and take a bird one time. We double and triple reinforce everything now. Darn food chain!Boy! I wish I had seen this thread last month!!! What a great idea!!!!Mind if I tag along?
My girls are 10 weeks old now! I am enjoying the stories and pics!!! I just have a pair of bantam cochins and they are indoor babies
We will have a backyard flock again, but getting the coop up just wasn't in the cards yet! Life happens!!! We live up in the mountains and super important up here that we have a good coop structure! When we moved up here we had just one hen , so she was an indoor girl. Sadly, we lost our girl in JanuaryWe love having them inside.
They are starting their outdoor supervised adventures and have learned the amazing activity of dusting now! So fun to watch them explore the world!!! Here are our girls...Fiona and Sydney
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Hahaha - I just tossed some watermelon in with my Frisian Gull Chicks. Oh. my. I'm pretty sure they saw fangs and claws coming at them instead of a nice, cool, tasty treat!! Silly chickies!Toss them meal worms for the first time... And take note of how they react for the next couple of times.
A couple weeks ago, I reinforced my RIWs with 1/2 welded wire and 4 hot wires around their shelter as something (aka Raccoon) got one. All she left behind was the gizzard and a trail of parts that apparently fell off as she walked.What sweet babies!! You are super smart to make sure their new outdoor structure is solid. We had "something" rip open hardware cloth like it was paper and take a bird one time. We double and triple reinforce everything now. Darn food chain!
Its soooo funny to watch as they learn what new things are. If you really want to have fun, take a head of lettuce, screw an eye hook into the root and dangle it with a chain, if you want to be mean, use cabbage.Hahaha - I just tossed some watermelon in with my Frisian Gull Chicks. Oh. my. I'm pretty sure they saw fangs and claws coming at them instead of a nice, cool, tasty treat!! Silly chickies!
