Too many snacks(or table scraps) of a lower protein or a higher protein can be bad for your flock. Some snacks are high digestible protein and energy (sugars/fats/carbohydrates) and over used, may lead to fatty liver syndrome and random, sudden death of healthy looking birds. Careful balance to meet your conditions are needed. Most people are far better off using a balanced formula ration, rather than making their own feed rations. When having a mixed age and gender flock(not mixed egg or meat animals) using a compromise feed between the layers diet and roosters needs(16 to 18% is likely best, with oyster shell/calcium available or included. If a rooster or specific bird needs a protein/energy boost treat them only. Make a "chick haven" for feeding chicks 23% starter diet. Caution and moderation is best for treats/snacks of a well cared for flock. I was very cash deprived in my early chicken days and kept chickens moderately successful on less than ideal, mostly home grown grains , vegetables and scraps. I sprouted and fermented 40 years ago and still do. It is possible, just not advised for best practice, in practical chicken care, to feed these things, as a sole diet or as snacks, without careful considerations to the total flocks health and productivity. Beginners, please use a balanced commercial diet that you researched for quality assurance, either organic or not, that is appropriate for your flocks purpose and age. Avoid feeds that are not properly formulated to incorporate all the mix ingredients in each beakful! The vitamins, minerals and fine ingredients need to be blended and treated to hold them together in a crumble or pellet form for best distribution and feeding. Wetting or fermenting can do this or other feed production methods may be used to maintain a dry ready to feed, fully incorporated formula. Good luck and Happy chickens!
