Table scraps

[mldlm]

My chickens are 7 and 1/2 weeks old. I have tried giving them grapes, broccoli, and frozen blueberries in water (like a small block of ice), and frozen strawberries. My chicks appear as though they are not interested. Is this normal, or am I doing something wrong? They do like oats. Thanks.

 

[nuthatched]

Don't give them very much oats. They are a little young for treats yet, wait about 3 - 4 weeks.When they are old enough, they might need chopped, bite sized treats. And only a little, treats should be less than 10% of their diet.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I don't know if its normal or not because I don't give table scraps that early. But I did give my 8 week olds a few meal worms the other day and they were all about it. I don't do that even usually until they're older but I wasn't about to try to explain to my kid why the big hens could have some and the little ones couldn't. Feeding the chickens worms and sunflower seeds is the highlight of the week around here haha and we just got the mealworms so I figured a few wouldn't hurt.

 

[mldlm]

Don't give them very much oats. They are a little young for treats yet, wait about 3 - 4 weeks.When they are old enough, they might need chopped, bite sized treats. And only a little, treats should be less than 10% of their diet.

I was thinking it might be an age thing. So I will just stay with the chick feed for now. Thank you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

It's normal. New things are scary, and if you don't have adults to show the chicks "This is good to eat" you'll need to wait for one of the chicks to take the lead and try the new food.

 

[Brooks_]

I've given mine table treats much earlier than I would ever recommend. Scrambled eggs and tomato were instant hits. The meal worm was too but didn't come from my table.

 

[Happy hen lover]

I give them wet feed and they love it. Rush to eat it out of my hand. I tried fried egg they didn't go for it, so I just stick with feed. It's cheaper, good for them and trains them to come to me ( mine are 4-6 weeks old)

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Through all this, keep in mind that chick starter is formulated to be nutritionally complete for birds of that age based on over 100 years of research. It is hard to beat that with treats. The data is in, we know what vitamins, minerals, protein, fats and energy is needed by poultry at all ages for optimal growth.
Chickens can live, grow and likely prosper with so-so nutrition but to get the utmost out of them, optimal nutrition is important to provide from hatch on.
Chicks, being small and growing rapidly, should have every bite they eat be fortified with all the elements necessary for body development and immunity. This is especially true of essential amino acids.

 

[Happy hen lover]

Through all this, keep in mind that chick starter is formulated to be nutritionally complete for birds of that age based on over 100 years of research. It is hard to beat that with treats. The data is in, we know what vitamins, minerals, protein, fats and energy is needed by poultry at all ages for optimal growth.
Chickens can live, grow and likely prosper with so-so nutrition but to get the utmost out of them, optimal nutrition is important to provide from hatch on.
Chicks, being small and growing rapidly, should have every bite they eat be fortified with all the elements necessary for body development and immunity. This is especially true of essential amino acids.

Kinda like giving an infant soda pop in my mind.

 

[LizzzyJo]

One of my flock's main jobs is scrap eating. They love it and they're perfectly healthy. All of my healthy kitchen scraps goes to the birds. It makes their lives more fun and takes a bit of the food bill down.

Try the foods you mentioned a bit warmer and mashed up a little. Mine always prefer a food the second time because the first one is a "it's new and must be POISON" reaction.