Boris70 Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 Hi, Any suggestions for my ex-batts - we've have then since the 6th October - so only just over 2 weeks. They are out in the big run with the little pekins - and are definitely top chickens. They've learnt to dig, come running when I go out to see them - and take themselves off to bed....BUT.... they have no idea what treats are and that they can eat them. The pekins go mad for corn, bananas, cabbage, brocoli etc, but the big girls just wander over and look at it and head stright over for the mash. How long will it take then to learn that these treats are nice - and that they should eat them (so we get yummy dark yellow yolked eggs)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightnicon Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 I have this problem with my new hens I put some corn cobs and some salad and veg we had left over in the run and they haven't touched it. I gave them some mixed corn last night and they went mad for it so I guess they just get used to having treats once they settle in a bit more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 You could try putting the corn in with some mash, or mix in a handful of grapes or raisons too, bless them it does seem unfair when the others would take your hand off for sweet corn They will learn though, one of my rescue girls flies up and hangs off my jeans or skirt with her beak waiting for treats she is now so keen fine when it's this sort of weather, but not in summer when I'm wearing shorts karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 It will happen eventually. Just keep trying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 mine learnt within a cple of days, I wonder if your other chooks are preventing them from getting to the treats? I would have thought that the ex-batts would see the other girls tucking in and think, "mmm, that must taste nice". I started off with sweetcorn which they didn't eat the first time, just sniffed it and perhaps tried 1 or 2 kernels but the next night they tried a bit more and so on and now they pace up and down when they see me, thinking I'm going to give them some. When I open the run door to scatter it, Shalott nearly knocks me over, jumping up and down and trying to get the dish out of my hand! Perhaps just try them with tinned sweetcorn to start with and try and give it to them on their own so they have time to examine it without it being gobbled up so quick by the other girls. Mine adore sweetcorn and they're also now beginning to like a bit of soaked granary bread which they had today with some mushed up banana and a few chopped up grapes. They hate porridge oats though, won't touch it. DH grew some grass in seed trays for them and they go mad for that too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris70 Posted October 23, 2007 Author Share Posted October 23, 2007 The funny thing is - the little girls go mad for the treats, the big girls come over and chase off the little girls to see what is going on - and then just leave it and look at me while the little girls run back and tuck in. Chickens are very strange but very loveable just the same! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 maybe mix in a few sweetcorn kernels into the mash, as suggested above, and see what happens- good luck and well done you for getting rescue girls, they're brilliant aren't they? xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noodle Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 Hi there, my three looked at me like I was mad whenever I put treats in their run. Then I had a cooked corn on the cob going begging and hung it from the roof of their run. A great time was had by all and they stripped it bare Yesterday they tried cold rice (Dippy and Dot like it) and mashed spuds (Tatti like this). Taken 10 days but they are getting the hang of it now yeah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
