This is courtesy of Buff Hooligans.
These are not my chickens bear in mind. Chickens love treats, it can also be used to train and tame them.
CHICKEN TREATS
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[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]This is a list of everything you can feed a chicken. However, everybody's chickens have their own tiny brains full of likes and dislikes, so while one person's chickens may come running for grapes or watermelon, another person's chickens may turn up their pointy little beaks at it. Anything on this list is worth a try.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Your comments are welcome - please post them on [/FONT][FONT=comic sans ms,sand]https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=188621#p188621[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]At the bottom of the page are things you should avoid feeding your chickens.[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Treat[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Type[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]General Opinions[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Apples[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Raw and applesauce[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Apple seeds contain cyanide, but not in sufficient quantities to kill.[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Asparagus[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Raw or cooked[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Okay to feed, but not a favorite.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Bananas[/FONT][FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Without the peel[/FONT][FONT=comic sans ms,sand]High in potassium, a good treat.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Beans[/FONT]

Well-cooked only, never dry

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Also, greenbeans.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Beets[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Greens also.[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand].[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Berries[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]All kinds[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]A treat, especially strawberries.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Breads[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand].[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Feed starches in moderation.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Broccoli & Cauliflower[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand].[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Tuck into a suet cage and they will pick at it all day.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Cabbage & Brussels Sprouts[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Whole head -[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Hang a whole cabbage from their coop ceiling in winter so they have something to play with and greens to eat.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Carrots[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Raw and cooked[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]They like carrot foliage too.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Catfood * (see bottom of page)[/FONT][FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Wet and dry[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Feed in strict moderation, perhaps only during moulting * (see bottom of page)[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Cereal[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Cheerios, etc.[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Avoid highly sugared cereal such as Cocopuffs, etc.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Cheese[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Including cottage cheese[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Feed in moderation, fatty but a good source of protein and calcium[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Cooked Chicken[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand].[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]They may like it and it won’t kill them, but it just seems so….. ummm………… wrong.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Corn[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]On cob and canned, raw and cooked[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand].[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Crickets (alive)[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Can be bought at bait or pet-supply stores.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Great treat – provides protein and it’s fun to watch the chickens catch them.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Cucumbers[/FONT]


[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Let mature for yummy seeds and flesh.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Eggs[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Hardcooked and scrambled are a good source of protein, and a favorite treat.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Feed cooked eggs only because you don’t want your chickens to start eating their own raw eggs.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Eggplant[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand].[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand].[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Fish / Seafood[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Raw or cooked [/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand][/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Flowers[/FONT][FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Make sure they haven't been treated with pesticides, such as florist flowers might be.[/FONT][FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Marigolds, nasturtiums, pansies, etc.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Fruit[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Pears, peaches, cherries, apples[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand][/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Grains[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Bulgar, flax, niger, wheatberries,etc.[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand].[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Grapes[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Seedless only.
For chicks, cutting them in half makes it easier for them to swallow.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Great fun - the cause of many entertaining "chicken keepaway" games.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand] Grits[/FONT][FONT=comic sans ms,sand] Cooked[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]"Leftovers" [/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Only feed your chickens that which is still considered edible by humans, don't feed anything spoiled, moldy, oily, salty or unidentifiable.[/FONT][FONT=comic sans ms,sand][/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Lettuce / Kale [/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Any leafy greens, spinach collards, chickweed included.[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]A big treat, depending on how much other greenery they have access to. [/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Mealworms
(see photo after the chart)[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Available at pet supply stores.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]A huge(!) favorite treat, probably the most foolproof treat on the books.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Meat scraps[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Not too fatty.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]In moderation, a good source of protein[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Melon[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Cantelope, etc.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Both seeds and flesh are good chicken treats.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Oatmeal[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Raw or cooked[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Cooked is nutritionally better.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Pasta / Macaroni[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Cooked spaghetti, etc.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]A favorite treat, fun to watch them eat it, but not much nutrition.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Peas[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand].[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand].[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Peppers (bell)[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand].[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand].[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Pomegranates[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Raw[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Seeds are a big treat.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Popcorn[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Popped, no butter, no salt.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Potatos / Sweet Potatos/Yams[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Cooked only - avoid green parts of peels![/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Starchy, not much nutrition[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Pumpkins / Winter Squash[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Raw or cooked[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Both seeds and flesh are a nutritious treat.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Raisins[/FONT].
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Rice[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Cooked only[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Pilaf mixes are okay too, plain white rice has little nutrition.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Scratch[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Scratch is cracked corn with grains (such as wheat, oats and rye) mixed in.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Scratch is a treat for cold weather, not a complete feed. Toss it on the ground and let them scratch for it for something to do. Never feed scratch during hot weather because it raises the chickens’ body temperature.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand] Sprouts[/FONT][FONT=comic sans ms,sand] Wheat and oat sprouts are great![/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand] Good for greens in mid-winter.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Summer Squash[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Yellow squash and zucchini[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Yellow squash not a huge favorite, but okay to feed.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Sunflower Seeds[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Sunflower seeds with the shell still on is fine to feed, as well as with the shell off.[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]A good treat, helps hens lay eggs and grow healthy feathers. [/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Tomatos[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Raw and cooked.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand][/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Turnips[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Cooked.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Not a huge favorite[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Watermelon[/FONT]

[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Served cold, it can keep chickens cool and hydrated during hot summers.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Seeds and flesh are both okay to feed.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Yogurt[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Plain or flavored[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]A big favorite and good for their digestive systems. Plain is better.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]The most favorite chicken treat of all - mealworms! Note the lightning speed of the chicken lunging for them.
By the time my camera was ready to take the next shot, all the worms were gone.[/FONT]
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Yogurt's a favorite, and very good for their intestinal health.
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Here are two photos from Rooster-Red of his chickens enjoying their yogurt!
Rooster-Red recommends standing back from your chickens when feeding yogurt, because the stuff flies EVERYwhere.
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2007-10Oct28-04-1.jpg


Here's BYC member Punkin's girls enjoying their first taste of yogurt in June 2008:
12098_yogurtchickens.jpg



This is a mix of good quality birdseed, raw oatmeal and scratch.
I only feed this on cold mornings, and I scatter it sparingly in their run
so they have something to scratch for and occupy their treat-obsessed minds.
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Here's a Gold-Laced Wyandotte rooster belonging to BYC member "Addiedunn", leaping up for his favorite treat - a whole peanut:
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Introducing odd treats can result in some very quizzical looks...
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Here's a bowl of warm oatmeal, girls!
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[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Warm oatmeal's even better after a big snowstorm:
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Some leftover steamed rice with veggies:
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Don’t feed the following things to your chickens:
(I'm sure people have experienced exceptions to this list, but if we want to raise our birds the best way possible, "better safe than sorry".)

smiley-yell.gif


[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Here’s why:

[FONT=times new roman,times]Raw green potato peels


Toxic substance called Solanine.
[FONT=times new roman,times]Anything real salty
[FONT=times new roman,times]Can cause salt poisoning in small bodies such as chickens.
[FONT=times new roman,times]Citrus[/FONT]

[FONT=times new roman,times].[/FONT]
[FONT=times new roman,times]Dried or undercooked Beans[/FONT][FONT=times new roman,times]Raw, or dry beans, contain a poison called hemaglutin which is toxic to birds.[/FONT]
[FONT=times new roman,times]Avocado Skin and Pit[/FONT]

[FONT=times new roman,times]Skin and pit have low levels of toxicity.[/FONT]
[FONT=times new roman,times]Raw eggs[/FONT]
[FONT=times new roman,times]You don’t want to introduce your chickens to the tastiness of eggs which may be waiting to be collected in the nestboxes.[/FONT]
[FONT=times new roman,times]Candy, Chocolate, Sugar[/FONT]
[FONT=times new roman,times]Their teeth will rot… No, it’s just bad for their systems, and chocolate can be poisonous to most pets.[/FONT]

A quote from Nifty-Chicken, the Administrator of BYC:

[FONT=times new roman,times]"I gave up on my birds knowing what was best for them when I caught them all eating a block of Styrofoam pellets."[/FONT]
[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms,sand]Regarding toxicity, the following is copied from a post by DLhunicorn on May 14, 2007 in a thread titled "Potato Peels". (Thank you DLhunicorn for your tremendously helpful and knowledgeable contributions to BYC!)
"Do not count on your chickens "knowing" what is bad for them...also do not count on these "toxic" plants immediately being identifiable by finding a dead bird the next morning...usually it is a slow process damaging organs , inhibiting the ability of your bird to utilize the nutrients in their feed, etc.
http://www.poultryhelp.com/toxicplants.html
Toxic Plants

and here are some more sources for toxicity:
http://dlhunicorn.conforums.com/index.c … 1165263379

http://msucares.com/pubs/infosheets/is1214.htm
(Feed Chickens Properly)

here are some of my collected articles on nutrition :
http://dlhunicorn.conforums.com/index.c … 1157992073

http://dlhunicorn.conforums.com/index.c … snutrition
(factors contributing to nutritional disorders)"
* Regarding feeding CAT FOOD to chickens,
the following is from DLHunicorn in response to the listing of cat food in this Treats Chart: (A word to the wise, and thank you, DLHunicorn)
"You all know how I feel on cat food and I have posted the links and reasoning behind my objections several times ...it can potentially be detrimental to your birds health and even deadly in the right circumstances and for this reason I feel it should be left off the chart (as when you put it on it is as if you are condoning its use) I will repost here one of the sources for my objection:
http://www.omri.org/Amino_acids_livestock.html
..."While it is nutritionally essential, methionine excesses are far more toxic to poultry than similar excesses of tryptophan, lysine, and threonine (National Research Council, 1994). Force feeding methionine to excess can result in death to chicks (National Research Council, 1994). A dosage of 2 g / mature cat / day (20 to 30 g / kg dry diet) for 20 days induces anorexia, ataxia, cyanosis, methemoglobinemia and Heinz body formation resulting in hemolytic anemia (Maede, 1985). ..."

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