What is a "treat" to you?

[Elsi Noelle]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but asking anyway because I am a newbie.

I have read SO MANY THINGS about what to feed my chickens, however vast majority says to make sure the "treats" you give your chickens does not exceed 10% of their overall diet for any given day. Yet, in so many posts, I see lots of people with seemingly small flocks offering whole cabbages, whole watermelons, large trays of salad materials and fruit etc etc etc... So it just seems contradictory?

Do veggies/fruit/sprouts/cabbage/lettuce etc not count as "treats?"

My chickens are healthy birds and lay almost eggs every single day. I give them treats like mealworms and make them salads every day. I dont think its effecting their health at all.

 

[Hip Hillbilly Acres]

Mealworms for my girls (ha, I don't even have any YET; but I'm a readin' and studyin'). Ordered stuff for a mealworm farm for my girls for when I DO get them. Each week brings purchase even closer.

 

[Shadrach]

If you want to offer a whole cabbage, I would offer a whole cabbage and watch.

Unless you have a really enormous flock, they will not eat that whole cabbage all at once.
They will eat some, and go do other things, and the whole cabbage may actually last for several days.
Even when the cabbage is "gone," it may not all be inside the chickens. Some parts may get ripped off, then dropped in the bedding and forgotten.

If chickens have something available constantly, they will self-regulate their consumption. This works for oyster shell, for a complete feed, for a large grassy lawn, and so forth.
That self-regulation may not be at the perfect level, but it will usually be a level that avoids obvious problems.

The chickens ability to self regulate, their digestive system and their feeding habits in the various keeping arrangments usually gets overlooked in these debates.
When one factors in even just a few of the variables it becomes a very complex issue.
I've read a lot of posts stating that commercial feed, because it's "balanced" is better for the chicken but I've yet to read any comparative study that proves this to be true.
My belief is because of the crop storage and filter through digestive system of the chicken they can eat various things over a period of time and gain a balanced composition.
There are a number of amino acids that need to be supplied from a regular intake of foodstuffs, others can be made by the body given the right conditions.

 

[3KillerBs]

The chickens ability to self regulate, their digestive system and their feeding habits in the various keeping arrangments usually gets overlooked in these debates.

Excellent point.

A chicken is less likely to overeat something in an inappropriate manner if it's the only option they have, or one of very few options, than if it's just one thing available in the midst of abundance.

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

To me a treat is anything that isn't my chicken's normal, balanced diet (right now, it's DuMor layer pellets). Yeah, I keep the 10% rule in mind when feeding my chickens. But do I often go over that 10% when I have lots of leftover scraps or a treat my ladies particularly love? Absolutely.

Life's not so exact. The main point is that you don't treat your chickens all day every day. Just like with humans, most "bad" foods are okay as long as it's in moderation.

 

[Chickassan]

My view on this subject is probably skewed because I take into consideration that these creatures only live maybe ten years tops if a predator or ailment doesn't take them first.
I'd personally hate to spend my full ten years of life eating pellets or crumble.
Can you imagine getting excited over lettuce?
I can and boy that is a sad trip to imagination land.
I mean even prisoners get a pudding cup now and then.

 

[Suzz]

I myself see no reason to feed anything to my girls that won't benefit them in some way cold watermelon or cantaloupe when its over 90 degrees BOSS for egg laying and shiny feathers and getting them back in the run sometime lean meat for extra protein some greens in the winter when they can’t find grass and probably some more things I’m not thinking of just now but empty calories like bread and other sweets and carbs are just more poop to pick up in my opinion

 

[Vicker]

I don't calculate it out, but I do kind of watch how much fatty or high protein extras I throw out, especially when the weather is hot. I think a lot of new chicken tenders go too heavy on the dried mealworms. I don't hold back on garden trimmings or other vegetable scraps. They tend to eat their pellets in the morning and before tucking in. The rest of the day they forage and tackle what they want of anything I toss out.

 

[The Chick Addict]

My chickens love dried mealy worms, soldier fly larva, and-this is gross: cockroaches!!

 

[babyratt]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but asking anyway because I am a newbie.

I have read SO MANY THINGS about what to feed my chickens, however vast majority says to make sure the "treats" you give your chickens does not exceed 10% of their overall diet for any given day. Yet, in so many posts, I see lots of people with seemingly small flocks offering whole cabbages, whole watermelons, large trays of salad materials and fruit etc etc etc... So it just seems contradictory?

Do veggies/fruit/sprouts/cabbage/lettuce etc not count as "treats?"

I don't know. I have 2 bantams. They are teenagers. I provide them with a bowl of feed but they get a "salad" every day. They love their salad.