Though chickens should eat a healthy, varied diet of nutritious food, giving them occasional treats can be fun! Some are beneficial while others can be harmful – or just plain gross!
Distinguish between snacks and treats as overfeeding certain foods may lead to obesity, disease and egg production issues. Here are some recommended treats:
Contents
Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds make an excellent treat for chickens. Easy to digest and packed full of proteins and other vital nutrients, including vitamin E and antioxidants, they make for a nutritious feast that chickens will love!
Feeding pellets to your flock can provide them with energy to support immune systems, egg production and feather formation; however, they should not make up the majority of their diet.
As treats, sunflower seeds should only be given in small amounts as excessive consumption can lead to weight gain and nutritional deficiencies in your flock. Also make sure that old seeds may have become contaminated or spoilt which could potentially cause digestive issues and lead to digestive disorders in their flock.
Chocolate
Chocolate should never be fed to chickens as it contains caffeine and theobromine which are toxic for poultry, quickly being absorbed by their digestive systems and potentially leading to their deaths. Chocolate also contains too much sugar which may contribute to obesity or health issues like fatty liver or vent prolapse. Other foods not recommended for feeding to chickens include avocado, salt, high-sodium processed foods (chips or salami), high-glycemic index fruits like cantaloupe or melons as well as moldy food products like melons.
Healthy treats that will keep your flock entertained include frozen berries or pieces of watermelon, while hanging up a treat ball provides something fun for them to play with and roll around on.
Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds provide a tasty and nutritious treat for chickens in both their chicken run or as part of their food, offering alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which has been found to lower cholesterol levels and help prevent heart disease.
Bird Feed Seeds contain Vitamin A, an important antioxidant often lacking in poultry diets, along with calcium, iron, zinc and magnesium. Furthermore, these seeds are high in tryptophan, which when converted to serotonin can help improve sleep quality as well as being an excellent source of Vitamin E – an antioxidative stress reducer!
Oatmeal
Oatmeal can be an ideal treat for chickens. Low in calories and packed full of essential fiber and vitamins, oatmeal can also serve as an excellent source of protein for laying hens. However, it is wise to steer clear from flavored oatmeal due to certain ingredients like chocolate (containing caffeine and theobromine) and soybean ( a filler ingredient) being toxic to them.
Other treats like watermelons, berries, or cabbage heads make tasty snacks for chickens. When offering treats in moderation they shouldn’t become an alternative source of nutrition and cause sickness; always include these treats alongside layer pellets when offering treats to your flock.
Corn
Corn is one of the best treats for chickens, both whole and cracked, offering low calories and high amounts of vitamins. Corn can even be mixed into their feed to add nutritional value.
Vegetables make another nutritious treat for chickens. Packed full of Vitamin A, potassium, calcium and iron; vegetables make for an ideal summertime snack!
Scratch grain, comprised of rolled or cracked grains like barley, wheat and oats, provides healthy treats for chickens that can be found at most bait and pet supply stores. Cheese also makes a tasty treat in limited amounts as too much cheese could lead to crop impaction issues.
Ginger
Chickens will eat nearly anything they come across, but treats should only make up 10% or less of their diet. Too many treats can lead to health problems such as egg binding and producing large eggs – both which could potentially be lethal if consumed excessively.
Ginger can act as a natural appetite stimulant, boost circulation in winter to prevent frostbite, soothe sore combs and wattles and serve as an anti-oxidant! Plus it makes for great digestive aid!
Cut up some fresh ginger into bite-size pieces and boil in one liter of water before offering as a treat to your chickens. They’re sure to love it!
