Chickens require healthy snacks as dietary supplements, to provide additional nourishment they might be missing from their feed and mental stimulation.
Protein-rich food sources are an integral component of feeding your flock during stressful situations like cold weather or autumn molting, but their usage should be done so sparingly to avoid damage caused by overfeeding.
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Meat
Chickens are omnivores, providing their protein needs the same way it would for humans. Cooked scraps from animal carcasses make a tasty treat for your flock! Fish boasting Omega-3 oils are another hit; flocks that have access to streams or ponds often catch minnows or small fish for snacking purposes!
Shellfish are another protein source your coop will love! Packed full of omega-3 oils and protein, shellfish provide your chickens with essential fuel during molting periods when extra protein-rich meals can help support them through this important transition period.
Meat snacks are one of the fastest-growing categories in the snack market, with more and more products marketed as healthy (low-fat, clean label, etc). When giving meat-based treats or supplements to your flock, ensure they contain adequate levels of nutrient-dense options to support egg production and overall health. Over-supplementation with protein could result in decreased egg production or negative health impacts for their wellbeing.
Fish
A chicken’s diet must provide them with an ideal combination of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and proteins – the latter of which is essential to living organisms as it provides vital protection from disease while building strong bones and muscles as well as maintaining healthy skin, hair and nails.
Though chickens should receive all of their protein needs from their complete feed, during molting season they may require extra protein-rich snacks that provide vital nutrition to assist in feather regrowth and help them begin laying again. Now is an ideal time to give your flock something extra nutritious that may give them just what they need to start laying again!
Fresh, raw fish is an excellent source of protein for chickens. You can catch minnows or small fish in streams or ponds or purchase canned sardines or tuna with 61-67% protein content – though please keep in mind that certain varieties contain mercury which could harm them.
Dried Black Soldier Fly Larvae
An Hermetia illucens larvae snack provides both protein and calcium for chickens while providing energy boosts and combatting boredom. Scattering some larvae around will encourage their natural foraging behaviors to keep your flock busy and engaged!
These oven-dried treats contain high-quality protein, calcium, phosphorus, fiber and lysine that provide essential nutrition to chickens, turkeys, ducks, quails, geese, sugar gliders, gerbils and wild birds alike.
Black soldier fly larvae make an ideal protein source during fall when chickens experience their annual molt, when feather regrowth rates need to increase and feather loss can become painfully apparent. Mixed into feed or spread around as treats on the ground as an additional treat, black soldier fly larvae also serve as an nutrient-rich food for bearded dragons, lizards, reptiles/amphibians/fish alike!
Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds provide chickens with an inexpensive treat that adds additional protein to their diet, and provide essential Vitamin E, folate and zinc nutrients – helping fight inflammation while folate and zinc help promote prenatal health.
Sunflower seed kernels contain beta-sitosterol, a plant sterol that may help prevent breast cancer by blocking estrogen receptors. As snacks or mixed into commercial poultry feed to enhance nutritional value for flocks.
Sunflower seeds should only be offered in moderation to avoid obesity among your flock. Sunflower seeds make an excellent addition to their daily diet and should account for no more than 1/3 of daily intake. Sunflower seeds are especially helpful during the cold weather months as their rich dietary fat content helps ward off frostbite and cold conditions.
