Feeding treats to your flock can keep them happy and stimulated. Not only that, but these healthy treats also help them remain cool during hot days.
However, not all foods are suitable for chickens – some, such as chocolate, contain elements which could harm them.
There are plenty of simple, budget-friendly treats that your flock will absolutely adore!
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Suet Cakes
Suet is an energy-rich treat that provides wild birds with energy during extreme winter temperatures and seasonal migrations. You can purchase prepackaged cakes of suet, or make them yourself at home.
Suet blends can contain almost any seed or grain, plus beef fat or lard, natural peanut butter or insects such as dried flies or crickets to attract insect-eating bird species, while others feature nuts such as peanuts, almonds or bits of dried fruits such as raisins, currants or apricots that cater specifically to nut-loving birds. Novelty shapes like pine trees, stockings or bells may also help lure particular types of birds.
To create a basic suet cake, begin by melting together lard, beef fat or peanut butter in a saucepan before stirring in additional ingredients and pouring the suet into molds or bread pans to cool and solidify before placing the suet in squirrel-proof feeders or spreading on boards or tree trunks for access by birds clinging nearby.
Cooked Pasta
Cooked pasta is a common item at Hong Kong’s Western-style cha chaan teng, especially spaghetti and macaroni. Originally popular among American soldiers during World War II as part of their food rations, pasta has now become an affordable dining option for people on tight budgets. Typically served in broth with ham or frankfurter sausages, peas, and black mushrooms for an affordable dining option.
This creamy and cheesy chicken and pasta is an easy weeknight dinner recipe that only takes 15 minutes to prepare, perfect for busy schedules. Additionally, this gluten-free recipe!
Sweetcorn
Sweetcorn (Zea mays) is an energy-rich complex carbohydrate food rich in fiber, potassium and vitamin C – as well as being high in both magnesium and B6.
Fresh corn should always be eaten immediately upon harvest, as its condition quickly declines after it has been picked. When purchasing locally or from a farmers’ market, try and look for unwilted husks with silk that remains attached – these should be removed for roasting/grilling methods but left on for boiling methods.
Corn can be prepared several ways, including baking in the oven or microwaving on the cob. Once ready, it can be served either plain or enhanced with spices and sauces such as indian schezwan butter sweet corn or baked sweetcorn masala chat for delicious and quick preparations. However, treats should only supplement a flock’s regular diet; too many treats could lead to egg binding or larger eggs than expected which is dangerous for their wellbeing.
Mealworms
Mealworms are an inexpensive and simple food supplement for reptile, fish and backyard chicken keepers to use to feed their aquatic friends, providing essential protein-rich nourishment that builds muscle strength while supporting immunity and cell repair. Mealworms also make excellent treats!
Mealworm eggs hatch into tiny, worm-like larvae that progress through up to 25 instars by shedding their exoskeleton at each stage. When reaching their pupal stage (similar to butterfly cocoons), they remain immobile inside an immobilizing cream-colored case until males emerge as adult darkling beetles while females lay hundreds of eggs over 2 to 3-month lifetimes.
Feed your mealworms fruit, vegetable and whey-based diets to help them mature more rapidly, then harvest their waste and exoskeleton (also known as frass) as fertilizer for your plants.
