chicken treats - appropriate amounts?

[6of6chicks]

I found the chicken treat chart and that was enormously helpful!! But I need help figuring out amounts that are appropriate for my chickens. I have six buff orpingtons (6 1/2 weeks old). They have starter food available 24/7 and I've been giving them some sort of garden treat once a day in the late afternoon - things like corn, melon rind, cucumber, etc. Generally whatever I find in the garden that is a bit further gone than I want to eat for myself.

Specific amounts would really help me. Is one ear of corn too much for six chickens? Half an ear? 1/4 cantaloupe rind (melon part eaten)? I want to give them a treat once a day to help alleviate boredom in the run (and because they LOVE it), but I don't want them filling up on junk food!

They seem pretty plump and healthy looking to me, but what do I know! Maybe they're too plump and I'm overdoing it? Really - any advice is welcome!

 

[KeepOnClucking]

I try to keep treats to a minimum, since they may not get adequate nutrition if they fill up on too many treats. I stick to a balanced feed, and might give them a treat every other day or so. Giving them too many treats could become a problem when they start laying, as they might be filling up on that stuff and not getting enough calcium, etc, which can cause egg production to decline. Feather quality and shine are a good indication that they are getting adequate nutrition from the basic feed as well. They don't look overweight to me from the pictures.

 

[6of6chicks]

@ KeepOnClucking - thanks for your reply! My girls are on an organic chick starter, and judging by how much they chow down I'm guessing they're getting some nutrition in there!

But I would like to be able to give them garden scraps/treats. This is ONLY once a day, or once every other day. I really DO need help judging appropriate amounts, though. Can anyone give me general ideas of how much would be appropriate for 6 chickens? I'm looking for amounts on any produce commonly found in the garden (not table scraps). Right now for me that's spring winding down - last of the cucumbers, squash, melons, corn, etc.

I know to experienced folks this may seem like common sense and is a dumb question, but I'm new at this and really want to make sure I'm doing what is best for my girls. My chickens will devour ANYTHING I toss in there, no matter how much, so they're no help in figuring out portion control! It's so much fun to watch them enjoying something yummy (that's part of the fun of having my own chickens), but I don't want to overdo it. Any help?