Treats for Chicks

Sadie our Dominique Chick

During lunch yesterday I paid a visit to Del's Farm supply; it was time to upgrade the waterer and feeder. The less expensive plastic versions are not proving to be useful for more than one day each anymore. I should have started with the larger, sturdier galvanized models. Since the chicks are eating between two and three pounds of starter feed each day the new 11 pound feeder should be much better. The new waterer holds 3 gallons versus 1 gallon for the plastic one. I won't have to worry about the girls running out of either if I can't get to them every day.

While I was browsing for more feed and the upgraded feeders, I noticed something called dried mealworms and grabbed a bag as treats for the little pullets. I have read that this might be a great way for the chicks to begin to tame down a little bit. Until now every time I open the brooder lid to change water and add feed, the chicks scattered to get as far away from me as possible, even though I move very slowly. Today I put a few of the dried mealworms in my hand and slowly lowered it into the brooder and almost immediately Sadie, the Dominique chick (the oldest one) came over an started pecking at the worms. Once she was comfortable and gobbling all the treats, the others soon followed and before long they were picking worms and running off to their own corner to enjoy their treat before coming back for more. I should be fun to see how they react to me today.