Spoiked chuckens? Won’t eat scraps.

[lazy gardener]

I'm glad you didn't feel like we were picking on you!

 

[chickens really]

You want them to eat the feed provided...Scraps and free range should not be the main diet especially with layers.

 

[junebuggena]

You want them to eat the feed provided...Scraps and free range should not be the main diet especially with layer..

Three month old chicks are too young to be getting layer feed.

 

[chickens really]

Three month old chicks are too young to be getting layer feed.

Where did I mention feeding them layer feed?...I'm confused by your quote...

 

[chickens really]

All my Birds eat grower after 10 weeks...I never recommend layer to anyone...

 

[junebuggena]

You edited your post. Thought you meant layer, as in layer feed. You changed it to layers, as in breeds that are intended to produce eggs.

 

[lomine]

I find that chickens need time to learn that the treats provided are edible. If the lettuce doesn’t peak their interest try something different. Bright colors might help, like red. I’ve yet to meet a chicken, duck, or quail that didn’t like tomatoes. One day one of them will try it and then they’ll all realize “ Hey! We can eat this stuff.” Of course, like others said, try to keep treats at a minimum.

 

[chickens really]

You edited your post. Thought you meant layer, as in layer feed. You changed it to layers, as in breeds that are intended to produce eggs.

Was not that confusing missing the S

 

[chickens really]

I find that chickens need time to learn that the treats provided are edible. If the lettuce doesn’t peak their interest try something different. Bright colors might help, like red. I’ve yet to meet a chicken, duck, or quail that didn’t like tomatoes. One day one of them will try it and then they’ll all realize “ Hey! We can eat this stuff.” Of course, like others said, try to keep treats at a minimum.

Chickens don't need lettuce or tomatoes..Ducks like them and benefit..

 

[lomine]

Chickens don't need lettuce or tomatoes..Ducks like them and benefit..

If they have a balanced diet from a commercial feed, no they don’t need them. The same would go for ducks. But who are you to say they don’t benefit from it? There are a lot of vitamins and minerials in fresh fruits and vegetables. Even if it’s already provided in the feed it doesn’t mean they can’t get it from another source. Besides, eating from a raw source instead of a processed one often has several health benefits. Why else would people free range chickens? Isn’t not just so they can get exercise.

Putting aside all of that, the birds get enjoyment and mental stimulation from eating treats. I provide all the feed they want 24/7 but they still like getting treats. Mine get their treats tossed on the ground so they get to search around and hunt for it. It’s good for them this time of year since there isn’t much to forage. And even if I just tossed it on the composite pile like I do in summer, they would still go for it because they like it.