Summertime is the perfect time to feed your backyard ducks and chickens healthy treats! Choose from a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and meat and fish to satisfy your backyard bird’s appetite. You can even feed them kitchen scraps like spoiled fruits and cereal. Chickens and ducks love these treats and they’ll thank you later! Listed below are healthy snacks for your birds and a few ideas for your garden.
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Summertime snacks for chickens and ducks
Summertime snacks for chickens and ducks can be as varied as the season itself. The right mix of fruits, vegetables and grains can keep your flock cool, healthy and hydrated all summer long. Chickens love watermelon and cantaloupe, and they’ll happily munch on the “guts” and rind of these fruits. Yogurt is another great summertime treat for poultry, and it contains good bacteria and probiotics, which are important for healthy eggshells. Honeydew and cantaloupe melons also have a great nutritional value, as well.
Fruits
Many types of fruits and vegetables are healthy for chickens and ducks. Among the most popular fruits are apples, plums, bananas, watermelon, rhubarb, avocado, green potato skins, and uncooked beans. However, avoid onions and garlic, as these can be harmful to ducks. Moreover, avocado pits can lead to respiratory and heart problems. Finally, avoid feeding your ducks with tomatoes plants.
Oyster shells
Oyster shells can help your chickens produce healthier eggs. This is because oyster shells contain calcium that chickens need to lay healthy eggs. The calcium in the oyster shells will dissolve into the chicken’s bloodstream, strengthening the bones. A healthy chicken will lay more eggs than it would without oyster shells. It will take about 90 minutes for an oyster shell to pass through a chicken’s digestive system. The calcium in oyster shells helps build stronger eggshells. Since hens produce eggs for about 25 hours, oyster shells will strengthen their bones.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a nutritious treat that chickens and ducks will love. Chickens are particularly fond of oatmeal, which is made from ground-up oats. This nutritious food contains the nutrients your chickens need to thrive. For an extra dose of vitamins and minerals, you can cook some for your birds and add them to their water daily. They will thank you for it! A few servings of this tasty treat a week will keep them well-fed and healthy.
Whole grain bread
While we don’t typically eat bread, our poultry friends don’t get along with it. Chickens and ducks need a varied diet and a high-protein snack is not the way to provide this. Bread’s high carbohydrate content is harmful to their health, and it can cause blockages. Even worse, bread can cause a fatal lung infection, which could wipe out your entire flock.
Fresh corn
Adding fresh corn to your ducks’ and chickens’ diet is a great way to give them a nutritious treat. But remember to limit the amount of corn you feed them. Too much corn may lead to excessive waste and poor nutrition. Corn can be fed raw or cooked. If you’re unsure of the proper amount, cook it for them first. This will ensure that they have a balanced diet and will be happier.
Fresh or dried mealworms
Feeding fresh or dried mealworms to your chickens and ducks can be a great way to supplement their diets. As omnivores, chickens need both animal-based proteins and vegetables to maintain good health. In addition to scavenging for bugs in the paddock, chickens can also eat mealworms, which are high in protein. Mealworms can be fed daily or once a week, depending on their needs.
