Whats a favourite food for chickens and what not to feed!?Newbie here!

[zibby]

I've found that my girls are just like kids and are leery of new things. They will ignore it at first then edge up and taste it, then spit it out. Sometimes it takes them a few tries before they decide its good. It helps if someone else in the flock decides it delicious and tries to carry it off. Then the new food has special cache and becomes a favorite. Mine LOVE the leafy tops of strawberries.
If it ever rains again here in Texas and I get a patch of clover -- they will jump straight up in the air to yank it out of my hands.

I read lots of people give cottage cheese. Mine have all rejected this absolutely even after many tries.

I am really trying to treat mine more often, because my chickens don't seem to like me much. I am trying to buy their affection. I am jealous of all the members who write that their chickens will sit in their laps and follow them around.

Zibby

 

[Codyandme1]

Thanks so much you guys its really helped, iv written all of it down and WILL try everything.as i have got 3 weeros( parrots) i have found out that avocado is poisonous to them. is it poisonous to chickens as well??

 

[ruralretreatchx]

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Yes, I've read that avocados are poisonous to chickens as well....

 

[Marcymom3]

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Have only had my chicks for a month and when I take the lid off the brooder they jump onto my arm. Yesterday I had three of them lined up. LOL... I told my husband that it's not because they love me, it's because they know I'm going to give them a treat. haha...believe me, yours will love you in no time.

 

[m_shuman]

Mine love Zucchini, tomatoes, strawberries, apples, stale bread. We have had fun feeding them left over veggie and fruit scraps from our kitchen. What they don't eat we rake up at then end of the day and put in the compost pile.

 

[triplepurpose]

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Yes, I've read that avocados are poisonous to chickens as well....

Ok, I have no idea where this notion came from. Actually, I've been feeding our chickens loads of bruised/overripe avocados from our orchard for years and they love them... Excellent food in my experience, a source of fat (calories) and vitamins, etc. They love them, and will devour them on sight. As do all the wild birds too I might add, if they get the chance...

 

[triplepurpose]

As others said, you can feed chickens just about anything. They are omnivorous scavengers. Their dietary requirements are actually remarkably similar, all things considered, to people's. Go light on bread products and other concentrated carbs, but they are good in moderation. Avoid anything with a lot of processed/concentrated sugar, salt or any weird artificial ingredients (sound familiar?

). Just make sure that they are getting plenty of layer ration or whatever too, so that they have a complete nutritional profile. Particularly, laying hens need a lot of protein. It's certainly possible to feed them without resorting to commercial feed, but to go that route you really have to know what you're doing so as to avoid any serious nutrient deficiencies-it also helps if they have access to pasture in that regard.

 

[warrior8170]

Hi!
I have had lots of variety of chooks, Iv had a silkie, pekin bantam, australorp, sussex and quiet a few more.
In my past lot of chickens (a fox stole them/killed them, took the corpse too) absolutely LOVED bananas.
my chooks that I have now don;t like it as much so I'm still trying out different food.
All chickens tend to be a bit different and prefere different things so you just need to try stuff out.

and also, I'm not sure about cabbage but I know that we feed my chickens lettuce and they like that, just remember to wash it.

NOTE* After some research and feeding berries to my chickens, I have found that for almost all chickens they absolutely LOVE strawberries, but again, it depends on the chicken.

Hope this helps

 

[Diane8]

My chickens love peanuts even more than sunflower seeds for a treat. I also make oatmeal for them and sometimes give them non fat greek yogurt. It's funny to see them get the oatmeal of the yogurt all over themselves. My birds also jump up to get a half of a peanut. They are too spoiled and plump. Every day I enjoy them more. I suppose when my first grandchild is born (due in July) it will be the baby who is too spoiled and plump.

 

[kessywessy18]

Hello I have worked with all types of animals for 15 years, I have learnt that chickens absolutely LOVE mealworms they go mad for it!
you can buy these at most pet stores including pets at home. they also really like corn and if you mix it up with poultry corn they will get all the vitamins they need and you will also be treating them! be warned though make sure you spread it out or a group of chicken will eat it all and not leave any for anyone else. hope this was helpful