Is there such a thing as too many treats?

[kara_leigh]

My chickens are 12 weeks old, and they free range. They do get free access to grower feed during the day, which they eat quite a bit. Most days I also give them oatmeal, some grapes, and sometimes spaghetti or sliced up tomato. Is that to much? I spread it out throughout the day, so they don't get it all at once. I just don't know if I'm feeding them too much.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Quote:
No, you're feeding them just fine! Keep up the good work!

~ Aspen

 

[Tikkijane]

Lucky chickies!

 

[kara_leigh]

Okay good! I thought I was turning them into pigs. Maybe they'll start oinking soon. haha

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Sounds like an excellent diet.

 

[LUVMY5HENS]

I thought acidic foods like tomatoes were not good for chickens? I have never given to my girls, is it ok for them?

 

[csummer8882]

Treat chart!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart

 

[debid]

I sure hope not because my ten youngsters LOVE treats! Today, they got two big, lanky lettuce plants in the morning (heat turns them bitter to humans but apparently they taste fine to chickens!) They got a few hours of outside time during which they ate who knows what. I lured them back to the coop with a half cup of rolled oats. They were thrown numerous small grasshoppers and a few cicadas during the day. And then when I went to check on them just before they go to roost, they ran to the fence and peeped so loudly that I felt guilty about showing up empty-handed so I picked a big handful of dandelion greens to throw in. Do you think they have me trained or what?!

Somehow they still find room for their crumbles!

 

[Mommy 2 Wee Ones]

My girls got carrot tops, some grasshoppers, a dinner roll from last night's dinner and a head of cabbage.
Mine also come to the fence when they see me coming, looking to see what I may have.

 

[gritsar]

IMO, you can go overboard with treats. As chicks they need the balanced diet of their starter/grower feed to develop to their full potential. As laying hens, a diet that's not balanced can affect laying.