Treats for chickens: doing more harm than good?

We all want to "spoil" our chickens from time to time. But is giving them treats actually killing with kindness?

Treats for chickens: don't kill your flock with kindness. Pin for later.

Feeding treats is traditionally a sign of care, whether it relates to children or chickens.

But is it possible to over-indulge our chickens?

It’s absolutely right to say we shouldn’t feed treats to our chickens every day, or for no good reason.

The main source of food for our flock should be a good quality feed which will provide them with the right balance of nutrients required at different stages of their life.

There’s strong evidence that many backyard chickens are over-fed, leading to obesity (yes, it’s a problem for chickens as well as people) and contributing to Sudden Chicken Death Syndrome.

But there’s no doubt that some natural "treats" can be useful for boosting chickens’ immune system, adding vital vitamins and minerals to their diet, and in some cases preventing critical disease without adding to health problems.

The important thing is to know the difference: when and how to add treats for your chickens, what are the best chicken treats - telling the difference between those which are fine to feed at any time, and those which can cause issues, for example.

Naturally occurring treats are always preferable to commercially produced, which often include added sugars and fats.

And of course, growing, harvesting and feeding your own healthy chicken treats is immensely satisfying, very inexpensive, and gratifying to know you've added only natural ingredients.

All natural chicken treats.

The best treats of all are natural, not commercially produced. They tend to be the kinds of foods our chickens will eat if left to forage for themselves.

In this short video, you'll see how my chickens love to make the most of autumn bounty: windfalls, sunflower seeds and leftover grapes!

What vegetables can chickens eat?

What veg can chickens eat? Thumbnail link to article.

As a healthy treat, there's none more natural than vegetables. But which are the most beneficial for chickens, and how should they be fed?

This article concentrates on the top ten, looking at why they're a particularly healthy, how they should be fed – and the one veggie that chickens are best to avoid.

Which plants make healthy treats for chickens?

In the same category as autumn bounty come plants which offer both colour in your garden, and health-giving benefits for your chickens.

Many flowers have extraordinary preventative powers, cost little to buy as plants or are fun to grow from seed.

And having little or no fat content, they're particularly beneficial without running the risk of creating obesity.

Weeds as natural chicken treats

They're free, they grow in most gardens, they can be found in hedgerows if you don't have a garden of your own, and best of all they're a great source of healthy, immune system boosting treats for your flock.

Weeds!

Here are six common weeds packed with vitamins and nutrients you can find today. The article contains photos of each one so you'll be able to recognise them easily.

Can chickens eat watermelon?

Watermelon is an inexpensive, delicious, nutritious summer treat. But is it good for our chickens?

This article is based on research studies which tell us which is the most important part of the watermelon as a source of nutrition, and the part which is most likely to help chickens keep hydrated in the hot summer months.

Can chickens eat apples?

Windfall time, and there's no better inexpensive treat for your chickens. This article shares five reasons why apples are healthy and nutritious for your flock, alongside one note of caution.

It explains how to feed apples to your chickens to get the most benefit, and offers a treat recipe they (and you!) will love.

Using pumpkins as a healthy autumn treat

Low in saturated fats and high in vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants to boost your chickens' immune system, pumpkins are a welcome source of treats in the autumn, when other natural sources are declining.

This article references studies demonstrating exactly what benefits it brings, and there's a simple recipe for a chickens' pumpkin pie - ideal to give your flock as a special Hallowe'en gift!

Pumpkin recipes

Knowing about the nutritional benefits of pumpkins, here are two recipes for simple, home made treats to make as a fun delicacy for your chickens.

My Poultry Pumpkin Pie recipe can be quickly made with everyday items you're likely to have in stock; the Crunchy Pumpkin Cookies take a little more time but can be frozen for special occasions.

Sprouting seeds for healthy winter treats

Sprouting seeds for chicken feed - link.

Healthy, inexpensive, easy and fun to do, sprouting seeds for our chickens is a great way to add nutrition to your flock's diet, particularly in winter when green fodder is hard to come by.

This article explains how to do it without investing in expensive equipment, and provides detailed evidence of the benefits sprouting seeds can provide.

Lentils as a winter immune booster

Lentils are given, received and eaten in Italy as a token of prosperity at New Year. They are also an amazing "superfood" for both humans and chickens.

This article examines the scientific research around the nutritional benefits of lentils and how they relate to poultry welfare.

It also contains a chicken-friendly recipe which is particularly beneficial for your flock during cold winter months.

Healthy treats for chickens: feed with caution.

What are healthy treats for baby chicks?

The most critical food for your baby chicks is standard chick feed. But most people want to offer some treats for chicks too.

This article explains which treats are good for healthy babies, which can help when a chick is sick, and why you should beware of overdoing it.

And why, critically, grit is essential once chicks eat any kind of treat.

General information about healthy treats

There’s a lot of conflicting information about what makes a healthy treat for chickens.

Are apples dangerous? Can chickens eat citrus fruits? Do berries cause stomach problems? And what about rose hips?

This article answers all those questions and lists five of the very best nutritious treats.

More healthy treats for chickens

There are so many treats for chickens to keep them healthy and help them lay delicious, nutritious eggs. And so much conflicting information about what's best.

Are tomatoes poisonous for chickens? is watermelon acceptable or too sugary? And is there any way to make lettuce more interesting?

Following on from the first article, this one covers another five treats which are proven to be healthy without causing problems.

A favourite to ensure hydration in the heat

Frozen treats to keep your flock cool in summer - link.

When the temperatures soar, there’s only one treat I offer my chickens - the frozen kind.

Pecking at the ice to get to the yummy treats inside makes sure they stay hydrated - a critical factor in the summer months.

And using water-based ingredients ensures you’re providing healthy treats rather than contributing to ill health.

High protein treats: feed with extra care.

Can chickens eat meat?

Can chickens eat meat? Or are they vegetarians?

Anyone who's ever watched a chicken pull up a worm or chase after a mouse will know the answer!

But it meat healthy for chickens? And what kind of meat is best?

Find out in this article.

Ten high protein treats for chickens

Are high protein foods really good for chickens, or can they damage your flock’s health?

The truth is that both those views are right. So it’s important to know which high protein foods are beneficial, when they should be given and what the effects of over-feeding them can be.

This article tells all.

Mealworms

Chickens will be ruthless in their stampede to be first at the mealworm treat!

But are they a healthy option?

This article reviews what mealworms are, whether dried or live is healthier, why they're illegal in some areas, where to buy them and how to grow your own.

Protein-rich treats for chickens in moult

Sunflower seeds for chicken treats. Article link.

Sunflower seeds: plant in the spring, enjoy their cheerful flowers in the summer, harvest just as chickens are starting to moult in the autumn (fall).

High in protein, these treats fall into the category of "don’t feed too often".

But when chickens are moulting, their protein needs increase - and sunflower seeds are an ideal answer.

A high protein treat recipe as a winter warmer

A high protein recipe for chickens needing extra energy. Click here.

Blending some high protein foods together makes a treat your chickens will love.

Helpful in winter, when chickens may be struggling with intense cold, it can help prevent the need for less natural ways to keep your flock warm.

It’s simple, it’s quick and it’s inexpensive.

20 festive treats

Thumbnail link to can chickens eat nuts and party food?

We all like treating our chickens from time to time. But is festive food – often high in protein but also high in fats, salt and sugars – appropriate? Or is feeding our flock nuts, meats and other festive goodies likely to do more harm than good?

This article takes 20 common festive foods, from nibbles to starters, main courses and desserts and, based on researched studies, analyses the benefits and potential harm they could do to poultry.