TREATS FOR YOUR CHICKENS
Treats for your chickens
General Opinions - This list is not intended to be all inclusive, but use as a guide to help
Apples
Raw and applesauce
Apple seeds contain cyanide, but not in sufficient quantities to kill.
Asparagus
Raw or cooked
Okay to feed, but not a favorite.
Bananas
Without the peel
High in potassium, a good treat.
Beans
Well-cooked only, never dry
Greenbeans
Beets (Green tops also)
Berries
All kinds
Especially strawberries
Breads
Limited amounts - good use for stale bread or rolls
Feed starches in moderation
Broccoli & Cauliflower
Tuck into a suet cage and they will pick at it all day.
Cabbage & Brussels Sprouts
Whole head - Hang a whole cabbage from their coop ceiling so they have something to play with and greens to eat
Carrots
Raw and cooked
They like carrot foliage too.
Cheese
Including cottage cheese
Feed in moderation, fatty but a good source of protein and calcium
Corn
On cob and canned, raw and cooked
Crickets (alive)
Can be bought at bait or pet-supply stores.
Great treat – provides protein
Cucumbers
Let mature for yummy seeds and flesh.
Eggs
Hardcooked and scrambled are a good source of protein, and a favorite treat.
Feed cooked eggs only because you don’t want your chickens to start eating their own raw eggs.
Eggplant
Flowers
Make sure they haven't been treated with pesticides, such as florist flowers might be.
Marigolds, nasturtiums, pansies, etc.
Grains
Bulgar, flax, niger, wheatberries, etc.
For chicks, cutting them in half makes it easier for them to swallow
Grtis
Cooked
Herbs
Oregano, Peppermint, Turmeric, Garlic, Crushed Red Pepper are the most common used
Lavender for the laying boxes (calming)
There are many other herbs we use to promote immunity of our flocks. Please research any herb before giving it to your chickens
Lettuce / Kale
Any leafy greens, spinach collards, chickweed included.
A big treat, depending on how much other greenery they have access to.
Mealworms
Available at pet supply stores or on the internet
A huge(!) favorite treat, probably the most foolproof treat on the books.
Melon
Cantelope, etc.
Both seeds and flesh are good chicken treats.
Oatmeal
Raw or cooked
Cooked is nutritionally better.
Peas
Peas and pea tendrils and flowers, put peas in ice cube trays filled with water. Chickens will peck at the peas trying to get them
Peppers (bell)
Raw
Seeds are a big treat
Popcorn
Popped, no butter, no salt.
Potatos / Sweet Potatos/Yams
Cooked only - avoid green parts of peels!
Starchy, not much nutrition
Pumpkins / Winter Squash
Raw or cooked
Both seeds and flesh are a nutritious treat
Raisins
Rice
Cooked only
Pilaf mixes are okay too, plain white rice has little nutrition.
Scratch
Scratch is cracked corn with grains (such as wheat, oats and rye) mixed in.
Scratch is a treat, not a complete feed. Toss it on the ground and let them scratch for it for something to do
We used organic scratch and add herb supplements to it
Sprouts
Wheat and oat sprouts are great!
Good for greens in mid-winter
Summer Squash
Yellow squash and zucchini
Yellow squash not a huge favorite, but okay to feed.
Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds with the shell still on is fine to feed, as well as with the shell off.
A good treat, helps hens lay eggs and grow healthy feathers.
Tomatos
Raw and cooked
Do not feed tomato plant or vines.
Turnips
Cooked. Not a huge favorite
Watermelon
Served cold, it can keep chickens cool and hydrated during hot summers.
Seeds and flesh are both okay to feed.
Yogurt
Plain or flavored- A big favorite and good for their digestive systems. Plain is better.
Sunny Side Up Ranch- Treats for your chickens
