Why can’t Fred (my roo) eat like a normal chicken??

[z3lda3]

Hi! Fred is a 2 year old Wyandotte mix. He’s got some special needs, he’s blind in one eye and has a permanent limp since birth. Fred stays indoors at night, he has his own chair to roost on. Fred’s been a bit spoiled because of his “disabilities”.
His favorite treat is mealworm muffins I make. He’s got a great appetite, and usually eats anything and everything from my hand, except these muffins. I have to put it on his head, he’ll shake the muffin off and then eats it. It’s the weirdest thing. Anybody else’s chicken odd like this? I’ll feed him like until the end of time, I’m just curious as to why.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

What got you to start doing it in the first place? It sounds like he doesn't like them, which most likely is due to them being too sugary or unhealthy for him. He might only be eating it after it has touched him because it's got his "scent" on it.

Some chickens are very good at telling what is and isn't good for them. I say "scent," but it could very well be another way they tell because chickens don't have a good sense of smell. If it's not good for them, some of them won't even touch it or eat it if it's force fed to them.

On this, I don't think you should give him muffins anymore. Personally, chickens shouldn't have muffins in general due to their high sugar content. Some chickens know not to touch high sugar foods, but others will go crazy over it. The ones who refuse are the ones who should be trusted.

 

[z3lda3]

What got you to start doing it in the first place? It sounds like he doesn't like them, which most likely is due to them being too sugary or unhealthy for him. He might only be eating it after it has touched him because it's got his "scent" on it.

Some chickens are very good at telling what is and isn't good for them. I say "scent," but it could very well be another way they tell because chickens don't have a good sense of smell. If it's not good for them, some of them won't even touch it or eat it if it's force fed to them.

On this, I don't think you should give him muffins anymore. Personally, chickens shouldn't have muffins in general due to their high sugar content. Some chickens know not to touch high sugar foods, but others will go crazy over it. The ones who refuse are the ones who should be trusted.

There’s no sugar in these. It’s oats, mealworms, oregano, almond flour and egg. And he loves them. When I crumble them up, or just place them in his feeder, he eats every bit.

 

[Artchickenlover21]

How regularly do you give them to him? It might be as simple as he's just tired of them. I don't know if chickens get "tired" of certain foods but mine seem to, lol. During winter I'd give them kale, and they gobbled it up pronto but after a while they got sick of it and wanted something else.

 

[z3lda3]

How regularly do you give them to him? It might be as simple as he's just tired of them. I don't know if chickens get "tired" of certain foods but mine seem to, lol. During winter I'd give them kale, and they gobbled it up pronto but after a while they got sick of it and wanted something else.

I will agree that chickens do get tired of certain foods. My chickens got tired of pumpkin. They ate 2 medium pumpkins, and now they act almost bored with them (after I stocked up on them).

 

[z3lda3]

@Mother of Chaos tell me I’m not the only one that finds this hysterical..

 

[Mother of Chaos]

@Mother of Chaos tell me I’m not the only one that finds this hysterical..

It reminds me of dogs who’ve been trained to accept having a treat placed on their nose, but they can’t eat it until the human says “go” or whatever. The poor dog just sits there, sheets of drool pouring out, staring crosseyed at the dog biscuit, waiting, waiting…

I would never have dreamed that I’d ever see a rooster with a muffin hat!

 

[z3lda3]

It reminds me of dogs who’ve been trained to accept having a treat placed on their nose, but they can’t eat it until the human says “go” or whatever. The poor dog just sits there, sheets of drool pouring out, staring crosseyed at the dog biscuit, waiting, waiting…

I would never have dreamed that I’d ever see a rooster with a muffin hat!

Yes! I never understood why they do that with those dogs. Just give them treat, why do they have to degrade themselves first? Lol

I too thought a rooster with a muffin hat was ridiculously funny. I guess I just have a warped sense of humor

 

[StinkyAcres]

Roosters are goofy in general, but that...is unusual!
He sure has the right comb for it.

 

[z3lda3]

Roosters are goofy in general, but that...is unusual!
He sure has the right comb for it.

Thank you!! All the rest of my roosters have tall single combs, this goof ball is the only one with a comb to hold a muffin lol. I don’t even know what kind of comb it is! It’s bizarre.