They're not interested in any treats yet...

[MarieNC]

My 6 babies are not yet interested in anything but their food. I tried yogurt, hard boiled egg and tomato so far. I even put the yogurt in my hand with some of their regular feed sprinkled on it. Absolutely no interest from any of them. Anything else I should try? Are they still too young for this sort of thing? They're about 2.5 weeks old.

 

[zatsdeb]

have you tried a handful of fresh picked grass? they usually love that!

 

[Gallusfarm]

You know, our chicks don't want anything other than their food either. But once they are a few months old they won't leave you alone begging for treats!!!

 

[MissJenny]

Mine weren't interested in anything early on either -- but that changed very suddenly with a plate of chopped grapes last week. They are now 4 weeks old -- they love grapes, worms, meal worms and tomatoes. Peas, not so much! Give them a try again in a few days -- it's way fun to watch them go wild over their treat.

One thingI do when mine look bored is to give them a shovel-full of dirt in a cake pan. They love to scratch and dig through it. If their is a worm in the dirt -- so much the better! LOL

Oh, and to digest treats they need to have some kind of grit.

Jenny

 

[StormyMoon]

have any of you ever tried corn masa that you make tortillas with?
I add a little water to it and roll them up like tiny worms and the bigger birds my barred rocks love it but I have to crumble it for the smaller bantams or they wont eat it.
I say bigger but my Barred rocks are only 5 weeks old but body wise they are huge compared to my bantams.

 

[MarieNC]

Well the fresh cut grass was a big hit, although the little buggers waited until I had left the room to eat it. And I sat and watched them for a good 10 minutes! Came back and the treat plate was empty! I gave them some grit along with the grass. I also gave them a little bit of millet seed which also disappeared. Onward and upward!

 

[gritsar]

Yep, you kinda have to leave the treats in with them a bit before they realize it's safe to eat them.

I used to give my youngin's millet seed still on the stalk, till one little flying pig decided to try and eat the stalk. After that, I plucked the pods of seeds off the stalk before giving it to them.

 

[NurseNettie]

Just remember, "treats" are fun for us, but the chickens don't usually care

LOL

Try grass, veggies, garden leftovers, kitchen scraps, etc, if you want-- grass and veggies especially, but I wouldn't get overly worried. When they're out on their own and can forage, they'll decide what "treats" they want to have

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[featherz]

I know it's early (mine are just over two weeks) but I tried a few mealworms and a cut up seedless grape (yes, they have grit) and OMG my chicks turned into little savages. Just that little bit and they run to my side of the pen when I go in the room. I've been giving them a tiny bit of yogurt and scrambled egg since day one, but they probably don't consider it as treaty as those few worms!

 

[MarieNC]

Where do you get mealworms? I saw some live crickets at Petsmart today but I figured they were a little too young for that. I will pick up some grapes next time I'm at the grocery store. Laughing at "little savages", featherz....