Will chicks raised in a brooder know how to forage?

[reacottingham]

I heard from my mom and grandmother that chicks raised in a brooder will not know how to forage when turned out to free range, if they have no example to follow. Is this true?

 

[LillianMae]

My chicks are being raised in a brooder and they forage. If you don't think they get it you can scratch around with your hands and that can help give them the idea. My answer would be yes, they understand how to forage even if they're brooder raised.

 

[kynewbchickie]

Took my flock outside yesterday for the first time and they IMMEDIATELY went to scratching and foraging. They ate ants, small spiders, alfalfa sprouts/flowers, and plaintain shoots. Within 30 minutes of being out there, they were all napping from full crops/bellies.

I think it's in their nature to pasture well.

 

[Elke Beck]

They will forage. Even Cornish X, which are bred to be nothing more than meat growing machines, will scratch and forage as best they can. Some breeds are better foragers than others, but it would be an odd chicken that will absolutely not forage.

 

[Liberty Nursery]

Mine were scratching in the brooder, I went and found a few bugs and worms to reward them for it but they didn't see to know how to get them down the first week. I made a brooder outside on top of my worm beds with Straw bales after the first week and they loved it, all sorts of critters in a worm compost. Even the Corn X Rocks were scratching.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

My chicks are 6 days old and they're trying to forage now. They scratch all the food out from their feeder onto the brooder floor and will run over when I change their bedding to dig in it. I'm pretty sure it's instinctive.

I'm sure it differs from breed to breed but - from what I'm seeing - these chicks I've got should have no problem foraging.

 

[Amandahoney]

I have 4 chicks, almost 2 weeks old. Buff Orpington, barred rock, rhode island red and salmon faverolle....they are in the brooder and they scratch around like crazy. It is only of my favorite things to watch! It is so instinctive!

 

[reacottingham]

Thanks everyone, I feel confident about ordering chicks now. I could not decided if I wanted to buy full grown or order chicks because, my mom was positive the wouldn't free range with out a mother to guide them. I will be ordering them in the morning. I can't wait to get them!

 

[critterwhisper]

I have 27 gals all turned out now,and i was amazed when i turned my first flock out,how they seemed to naturally scratch and dust themselves explains why they all always kicked their shavings around when they were in brooders yes yours will be fine

 

[debid]

Chickens raised by a hen are probably smarter. But, much of their behavior is instinct-driven rather than learned so brooder-reared chicks will still act like chickens.