How do I introduce kitchen scraps to my chickens?

[Queen Peppermint]

Our chickens will not eat scraps. We've tried a few things like limp carrot and banana and they have no interest. Our chickens are still quite young at exactly one month tomorrow so I don't know if their lack of interest in scraps is an age thing. I've never had chickens before either so I'm pretty much new to all things chickens do or do not do. ^-^;

 

[Teach97]

well howdy

I always like to introduce my birds to new things with a neat little mixer...something with a few light figner foods, a little punch, a game or two to get people talking that kind of thing...

yup..absolutely no help! But I am fun!!!

 

[Tam'ra of Rainbow Vortex]

Mine are usually wary of all things-especially new foods for most of their youuth. Once they hit maturity, suddenly the light bulb goes on and they realize I have been brining them FOOD this whole time. Now they come running when they see me... even when I come empty handed.
Just keep giving it to them, they will at least get used to its presence, if not eat it. They will come around, just maybe not for a while.
My older chickens will try almost anything I bring them. My brooder full of chicks, though, won't even take earthworms I left on the floor. *shrug*

 

[mcjessen]

I'm having the same problem. They were not interested in the hard boiled egg and were deathly afraid of the strawberries. They LOVE their meal worms and come running when they see the bag. But then again, they love to dust bathe on the carpet in the garage. No sand for these girls. I think they're spoiled.

Once I get the run attached to the coop, I'm just going to throw some food scraps on the ground and see where they go from there.

 

[wegotchickens]

"Scraps, meet the chickens. Chickens, eat the scraps."

Actually, your birds are a little young. Try stuff like noodles or oatmeal, with a little of their own feed on top.

I never give mine banana. And mine don't much like limp carrot unless they're bored. If chopped up, though, they're a little more likely to eat it.

 

[Katydid2011]

Quote:
Have you tried plain yogurt or cottage cheese? Mine usually look askance at bananas and such but they always go for yogurt, cottage cheese, and alfalfa sprouts. When I offer treats, I always say, "chook chook chook" and they learn that means to come running 'cause they're going to get something nummy. Before too long, they learn to trust that what I offer is gonna be good.

 

[woodmort]

Give them time--once one finds they are good the rest will follow. Just put the scraps in a container of some kind so they don't get trampled into the litter. BTW, mine never have cared much for carrot but will kill for banana. Their favorite is any kind of meat scraps--including fat--and fruit.

 

[HennyPennyHenHouse]

Mine are also not interested in greens or scraps of any kind. But on someone's suggestion, found an earthworm outside. They knew exactly what that was! Ran around chasing and stealing from each other until the lucky one gobbled it down.

 

[mcjessen]

Quote:
We gave ours a tiny live worm at about two weeks old. They LOVED IT!

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I sprinkle a little of their food over new treats I introduce. Usually they'll go to peck the crumbles from the treat and accidentally try the new food, and realize they love it. I've always had to trick them into something new