Chickens require a varied diet to stay happy and healthy. Supplementing their meal with treats and snacks can ensure they receive all of the essential nutrients to flourish!
Avoid providing chickens with kitchen scraps that may be harmful, such as raw green potatoes and avocado peels, which could potentially be toxic. Furthermore, these items should not make up an overwhelming percentage of their diet; too much could cause nutritional imbalances within their flock.
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1. Berries
Berries are an irresistibly tasty treat for chickens, both fresh and frozen, high in vitamins and antioxidants that provide them with necessary balance in their diets. As with all sweet treats, however, too many should only be fed occasionally; too many sweet treats could lead to an imbalanced diet in your flock.
Tomatoes provide chickens with essential vitamin C and nutrients like potassium, folate and manganese – however be careful of overfeeding tomatoes as too much may lead to gastrointestinal issues. Watermelons make delicious yet nutritious treats for chickens to snack on during summer days while providing some additional benefits like fiber.
2. Mealworms
Mealworms, although high in protein, do not pose any dangers to chickens if given in moderation. Mealworms contain essential leucine and lysine amino acids for overall good health; ideal during times of stress such as moulting or predator attacks.
Cooked pasta is an affordable treat that’s packed full of essential vitamins and minerals, but eating too much may lead to an imbalanced nutritional profile. To stay on the safe side, limit its consumption.
Ginger can provide chickens with an easily digestible and nutritional treat. It helps stimulate their appetite in sick birds while acting as a natural dewormer.
3. Eggs
Chickens love eggs; the white contains all of their protein needs while the yolk provides essential vitamins and fat. Eggs provide calcium that helps build strong bones in chickens as they lay hard-shelled eggs. Eggs also promote laying and reduce risks for peritonitis in hens.
Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds (black oil ones are highest in linoleum), and even whole peanuts provide plenty of protein-rich treats for poultry. Avoid feeding salted peanuts as these are too salty for their needs; in addition, avoid offering your birds apricot pits, apple cores, and peach peels as these contain trace amounts of cyanide which could harm them.
While commercial layer feed should provide most of your chickens’ nutritional needs, providing occasional healthy treats may make them more content and help ensure great feather condition. Just be mindful to limit treats so as to prevent overfeeding which could result in weight gain and reduced egg production.
4. Peanuts
Peanuts are a beloved treat among chickens and can provide many health benefits when fed in moderation. Peanuts contain calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc along with essential riboflavin and thiamine vitamins that can prevent perosis while controlling appetites.
Peanuts should only account for up to 10% of your chicken’s diet due to their high fat content; excessive dietary fat can lead to fatty liver disease – an extremely serious health problem in which the liver softens and becomes vulnerable to bleeding.
Remind yourself to only give treats as occasional special treats; never replace their daily diet with them as this could lead to them opting for them instead and becoming malnourished.
5. Watermelon
Chickens love watermelon as a tasty and refreshing treat that provides both hydration and essential vitamins and nutrients to their bodies.
Chicken owners can offer fresh or frozen watermelon as a nutritious treat to their flock, whether as a fresh snack or chopped up into their feed mix.
Watermelons provide chickens with many essential nutrients, including lycopene and beta-carotene – said to improve egg yolk color and aid laying – vitamin C and anti-oxidants. They’re particularly popular treats among laying flocks!
Chickens should be fed the rind as part of their feed, though excess amounts could lead to diarrhea. Also be mindful not to include seeds; adding them could cause them to choke on their food source.
