Feeding Treats to Chickens in Moderation: What You Need to Know

Chickens are delightful creatures that make great pets, provide fresh eggs, and can even help maintain your garden. As a responsible chicken owner, it’s important to provide your birds with a balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs. However, it can be tempting to give your feathered friends an occasional treat. While treats can be a fun way to bond with your birds and provide them with a little extra nutrition, it’s essential to feed them in moderation.

In this article, we’ll discuss why it’s important to limit treats for your chickens and offer some tips for feeding treats in a healthy and responsible way.


Pic Credit: @JustBabyMargo

Why Moderation is Key​

Chickens have a specific nutritional requirement that needs to be met through their feed. The bulk of their diet should consist of high-quality chicken feed that provides a balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fat. While treats can provide extra nutrients, they should not replace a chicken’s main diet. Feeding too many treats can cause chickens to become overweight, which can lead to health problems like fatty liver disease, heart disease, and decreased egg production.

In addition to weight gain, feeding too many treats can also disrupt a chicken’s digestive system. Chickens have a relatively small digestive tract, and feeding them too much can lead to crop impaction, which is a potentially life-threatening condition. Treats that are high in sugar or fat can also cause digestive upset, leading to diarrhea or other gastrointestinal issues.


Pic Credit: @Antiocheggers

Feeding Treats in Moderation​

While treats should be limited, they can still be a healthy addition to your chicken’s diet. When feeding treats, it’s important to choose foods that are high in nutrition and low in sugar and fat. Vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and peas are great sources of vitamins and minerals and are often enjoyed by chickens. Fruits like berries and melons are also good options but should be given in small quantities due to their high sugar content.

Another healthy treat option is mealworms, which are high in protein and loved by chickens. You can purchase dried mealworms from a pet store or raise your own mealworms at home. Grains like oats and wheat can also be fed to chickens but should be given sparingly to prevent weight gain.

When feeding treats, it’s important to consider the age and health of your chickens. Young chickens should not be given treats until they are at least two weeks old, and even then, should only be given small amounts. Chickens that are recovering from an illness or injury should also be given only small amounts of treats, as they may have difficulty digesting certain foods.

It’s also important to remember that treats should only make up a small portion of your chicken’s diet. A good rule of thumb is to limit treats to 10% of their daily diet. For example, if your chicken consumes 1 cup of feed per day, it should only be given 1-2 tablespoons of treats.


Pic Credit: @ChicksnMore

Healthy Chicken Treats​

There are many healthy chicken treats that you can give to your feathered friend. Here are a few options:

• Cooked chicken: One of the best treats for chickens is cooked chicken, as it is a great source of protein. Just make sure to remove the bones and skin, and avoid giving your chickens too much as it should not replace their regular diet.
• Mealworms: Mealworms are a great source of protein and are loved by most chickens. They can be purchased dried or live and can be offered as a special treat.
• Vegetables: Vegetables like broccoli, carrot, and lettuce are great for chickens as they contain essential vitamins and minerals. Just make sure to chop them up into small pieces so that your chickens can easily digest them.
• Fruits: Fruits like watermelon, apples, and berries are also a great treat for chickens, but be sure to remove any seeds or pits as they can be harmful.
• Grains: Whole grains like oats and wheat are also a great treat for chickens, as they contain essential nutrients and can help keep them busy.

Always provide fresh water alongside treats, and offer them in moderation so as not to disrupt your chickens' regular diet.

Treats to Avoid​

While there are many healthy treats you can give to your chickens, there are also some treats you should avoid. Here are some examples:

• Processed foods: Avoid giving your chickens any processed foods or anything that is high in sugar, salt, or fat. These types of treats can be harmful to your chicken's health and may lead to obesity or other health problems.
• Chocolate: Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine which is toxic to chickens and can cause serious health problems, so it should be avoided at all times.
• Avocado: The pit, skin, and flesh of an avocado contain a toxin called persin which can be fatal to chickens. So, it's important to avoid giving them any part of an avocado.
• Citrus fruits: While some chickens may enjoy the taste of citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, they can cause digestive problems for some birds. It's best to avoid these fruits altogether to be safe.
• Raw potato or potato skins: Raw potato and potato skins contain solanine which is toxic to chickens. So, it's important to avoid giving them these foods in any form.

Remember, treats should be given in moderation and should not make up a significant portion of your chicken's diet. It's important to offer a balanced diet consisting of quality feed, fresh water, and occasional treats.

Conclusion​

Feeding treats to chickens can be a fun way to bond with your birds and provide them with extra nutrition. However, it’s important to feed them in moderation to prevent health problems like weight gain and digestive issues. When feeding treats, choose foods that are high in nutrition and low in sugar and fat, and limit treats to 10% of your chicken’s daily diet.

By following these guidelines, you can provide your chickens with a healthy and well-balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs.