Chickens require a diet high in vitamins and protein for proper development. A quality starter feed should contain all these vital elements – including folic acid, vitamin K, fiber and potassium.
Chicks should consume starter feed until they begin laying or reach 20 weeks old, when they should then switch to layer feed with less protein and increased calcium for stronger egg shells.
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1. Eggs
Chickens enjoy the protein found in eggs, which supports their rapid development. Chickens also need calcium for healthy egg shells and to aid the laying process.
Eggs can make an excellent treat for baby chicks, particularly when prepared in either scrambled (without too much oil or butter) or boiled form. However, be wary of any eggs eaten by hens as this could produce off-flavors in their produce eggs.
Yogurt provides chicks with a delicious, nutritional treat. Packed full of probiotics for gut health and calcium-rich nutrients, it makes an excellent treat. However, those on a strict calorie restriction should opt for yogurt without added sweeteners such as sugary sweetened fruit.
2. Oatmeal
Oatmeal, the beloved breakfast food beloved by millions, can also make for a nutritious treat for chickens when fed in moderation. You can feed cooked or raw rolled oats mixed with other nutritious ingredients such as berries, scratch grains, shredded carrots, sunflower seeds, raisins or mealworms to your birds for optimal results.
Cooked oats provide chickens with an essential source of Manganese for egg formation. A deficiency of Manganese could result in eggs with thinner shells or physical defects being laid by their flock of birds.
Rolled oats provide an excellent source of fiber to help chickens regulate their body temperature. But to ensure all their nutritional needs are being met, chickens need a diverse diet that includes proteins, grains, fruit vegetables herbs and insects in addition to commercial feed.
3. Tomatoes
Chickens love eating tomatoes when they’re ripe; however, other nightshade foods (like tomatoes) contain solanine toxins which are harmful to young birds; this toxin breaks down when cooked though.
Other fruits and vegetables, like bananas, squash and kale can make great treats for your flock, but be careful to give them in moderation; too many treats could lead to them forgoing natural sources of nutrition altogether.
Yogurt can make an excellent treat for chicks, but only when served plain and unflavored. Don’t add anything that might harm their development like salt or expired milk; rather, give them only small portions once or twice weekly as a treat.
4. Mealworms
Chickens need more protein in their diet as they grow and mature, and mealworms (along with other treats) help build strong bodies and produce more eggs.
Mealworms can be purchased at local feed stores, farmer’s markets and online. But it’s important to remember that mealworms should only be fed as treats; overfeeding may lead to infections or diseases in your chickens.
Yogurt is another high-protein treat chicks enjoy consuming, rich in probiotics, vitamins, fats and minerals that benefit their health. Like mealworms though, too much yogurt may overload their system with too many proteins; excessive yogurt could irritate their stomachs as well – to avoid that happening keep feeding your flock no more than three tablespoons a day of yogurt!
5. Spaghetti
Chickens may eat spaghetti as part of their regular diet; however, any pasta-related treats should be cooked and free from harmful additives or preservatives to be safe for consumption by your flock. Even though spaghetti provides your flock with an enjoyable treat, excessive salt in their diets could potentially pose several dangers: reduced carbon dioxide levels, additional water intake, wet litter conditions and gastrointestinal disorders are just a few issues caused by an overload of salty ingredients in their food supply.
Chickens will also enjoy eating plain yogurt that is free from additives or flavorings; it provides them with a healthy dose of dietary fibre. Just be sure that too much carbohydrates could reduce their protein percentage.
