Feeding chickens a varied diet rich in protein and calcium, the majority of which should come from their layer feed, as well as little tidbits they find while foraging, will keep them happy, healthy, and laying bountiful amounts of delicious eggs. However, just like with humans, it’s nice to indulge every once in a while and treats for chickens, which may not add much in the way of nutrients but tastes absolutely fantastic!
Chickens enjoy the occasional treat, and there is nothing better for a chicken keeper than seeing the expressions on their chickens’ funny little faces when they know they’re about to get a special treat. Keep in mind that treats are just that, and that they shouldn’t account for more than 10% of your chickens’ regular diet or their health could suffer.
In addition to helping your flock learn to respond to your call, rewarding your female livestock members with treats is a great way to win their trust. While one of your hens may devour an item with relish, another may avoid it like the plague due to its perceived danger.
With years of experience and lots of experimentation, we’ve settled on our five favorite treats for chickens. Even the pickiest hens are bound to enjoy at least one of these tasty morsels. (Otherwise, those chickens are being awfully picky.) . Have one of these treats on hand if you feel like spoiling your girls, or if you just want them to leave your garden, and your flock will be at your beck and call in no time!
You may also want to read about the best chicken feed.
Take a look at the top 5 treats for chickens.
1. Berries
Chickens love eating berries. You’d be hard pressed to find a chicken that doesn’t enjoy the taste of a super sweet treat like a strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, or blueberry. Put out a few of the newer variety in the coop and watch as your chickens go crazy for them.
2. Meal Worms
Although we might not find them particularly tasty, chickens absolutely adore mealworms because they are a rich source of protein. Whether you choose to hand-feed it to them, scatter it on the ground, or put it in their feeding dish, your chickens will appreciate it. All of these tasty morsels can be dumped into our patented treadle feeder with ease. Watch our video to see how it deters pests while you sleep.
3. Oatmeal
Not only do humans benefit from a hearty bowl of oatmeal during the colder months, but chickens find it to be quite tasty as well. Although oats look like a treat, they are actually packed with nutrients that will keep your chickens healthy and happy. In other words, the next time you prepare a bowl of oats for breakfast, prepare an extra serving for your flock and use water in place of milk.
To make it more appetizing, you can add a variety of toppings. Our hens are truly spoiled, as they are fed a wide variety of treats including, but not limited to, raisins, scratch, mealworms, sunflower seeds, berries, and dried or fresh herbs.
4. Pumpkin
Chickens benefit nutritionally from eating pumpkins in any form: raw or cooked, flesh or seeds. The seeds of this vegetable are a natural dewormer, and your hens will enjoy pecking at its fleshy, tasty flesh.
5. Yoghurt
Plain yoghurt is a fantastic treat that, when used sparingly, can aid in maintaining a hen’s digestive health. However, unless you feed your chickens yoghurt on a daily basis in enormous quantities, they won’t be able to digest it properly. Even a small amount spread across their food dish works wonders to cool them down on hot days, and they absolutely love the flavor!
