When can I start feeding treats?

[RNjoy17]

Hi all,
I have a small flock of 1 EE that is 7 weeks old, and 7 BO's that are 4 weeks old. They have been living in their coop for just over a week now. During the day they have access an outdoor covered run, and at nights are in the coop. Am I ok to start feeding them treats like mealworms, scratch, etc? I had a few articles that treats shouldn't be given to young chickens, but didn't know if it would be different since they are already living outside.

Also - What are some of your favorite treats to give you flock?


Thanks in advance!

 

[Katie386]

Scrambled eggs are a good treat for any age. My chickens are obsessed with cheese though.

 

[RNjoy17]

Scrambled eggs are a good treat for any age. My chickens are obsessed with cheese though.

Would feeding them eggs now, risk them eating their own eggs later on?

Do you give shredded cheese? I never knew you could do that! I'm trying to get myself familiar with what "table" food I can give them.

 

[Katie386]

You shouldn’t give them raw eggs because that will encourage them to eat their eggs but cooked eggs are different

i don’t think cheese is good for them so I only give a little. they like shredded cheese and sand which cheese which is hilarious when I throw it down whole. I spoil my chickens too much.

 

[Katie386]

heres the video

 

[nuthatched]

Would feeding them eggs now, risk them eating their own eggs later on?

Do you give shredded cheese? I never knew you could do that! I'm trying to get myself familiar with what "table" food I can give them.

Nope, feeding them cooked eggs won't encourage them to eat their own eggs.
Good starter treats are fruits and veggies.

 

[aart]

Nope, feeding them cooked eggs won't encourage them to eat their own eggs.

Ditto Dat!

Treats are over-rated and often over-used,
more for the keeper than the birds,
and can dilute the nutrition in the feed which will give them optimal growth and health.

Before feeding anything other the starter crumble and eggs,
make sure they have access to chick sized grit.

 

[rosemarythyme]

As long as they have access to grit they can have a small amount of treats like scratch or mealworms. Keep treats minimal, especially with growing chicks that need nutrition from their feed for optimal growth. I mainly use treats to train the birds to come to me.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have a small flock of 1 EE that is 7 weeks old, and 7 BO's that are 4 weeks old. They have been living in their coop for just over a week now.

Am I ok to start feeding them treats like mealworms, scratch, etc? I had a few articles that treats shouldn't be given to young chickens, but didn't know if it would be different since they are already living outside.

My chicks are outside around 5 weeks of age.
I don't give any treats till 10 weeks old.
I give Scratch Grains as a treat daily scattered in their pen at 10 weeks old throughout Adulthood.
In the summer I make them a wet mash with their feed and cold water.
These are the only treats I give.
Kitchen scraps would be given, but I buy frozen veggies ready to cook. GC

 

[RNjoy17]

As long as they have access to grit they can have a small amount of treats like scratch or mealworms. Keep treats minimal, especially with growing chicks that need nutrition from their feed for optimal growth. I mainly use treats to train the birds to come to me.

Do they still need grit if there are outside pecking and foraging in dirt? Just don't want to cause issues by giving them too much. I was planning on offering when they were laying for the calcium though