What types of animals eat Chicks?
Birds of Prey:
For the many birds of prey who feed on smaller birds in the wild, day old chicks are a great source of nutrition while they are being cared for in wildlife rehabilitation centers, as they recover from illness, injury or being orphaned. At zoos and other education facilities, animal ambassadors need consistent high quality food to maintain their health. These raptors put on amazing displays of their flying skills for people, helping to educate the public about themselves and their natural habitat. Feeding whole prey items, like day old chicks, is one way to help ensure they get the nutrition they need.
Thousands of sick, injured or orphaned birds of prey are rescued every year and brought to local Wildlife Rehabilitation facilities to be cared for until they can return to the wild. If you find an injured, sick or orphaned raptor, or any other wild animal, please contact your nearest local wildlife rehabilitator. You can view our list of wildlife rehabilitators to find the one closest to you.
Reptiles:
Meat eating snakes and lizards often benefit from variety in their diet. For some, frozen day old chicks will be the primary food, supplemented with rats or mice, or even quail. For others, the frozen chicks will provide that change of pace from their normal routine of rats or mice. That variety, offered every second or third feeding might be just the thing to get fussy eaters back on track. Carpet Pythons, Roughies (Rough-scaled Pythons), Green Tree Pythons, and various Monitor Lizards are a few of the reptiles that may enjoy the addition of chicks to their diet.
Wild Carnivore Diet:
Wild carnivores are designed to eat whole animals. Natural prey items provide a variety of proteins, minerals and other nutrients that they may not get from feeding commercial dog or cat foods. As more is learned about carnivore nutrition, it is clear that commercial diets may not be as balanced as was once thought. Whether in a wildlife rehabilitation center awaiting release or in a zoo or educational facility, including frozen chicks in every carnivore’s diet is one way to help ensure a balanced nutritional state.
