Treats Your Chickens Will Love

Chickens are one of my favorite homestead animals.  Not only are they super easy to take care of, but they are also big contributors to the homestead with eggs and great fertilizer. All their hard work definitely earns some delicious treats your chickens will love.

If you are like us and you have a flock that out produces what your family can consume, check out our post on how to use an abundance of eggs for ideas!

Chickens are the garbage disposals of the homestead, right up there with pigs. Chickens eat nearly any table scrap, garden veggie, or bug. They love to eat and will spend a majority of their day scratching around in search of their next morsel. Watching them scratch as they roam free range is one of my favorite things to do when all the chores are done.  There is something so calming about it. But it is even more fun to watch them excitedly attack a special snack!  

Although chickens will eat almost anything, there are some things that you should limit or avoid when feeding chickens.  Raw or undercooked beans for one are toxic to your flock if they are along with green potato skins and the foliage of potato plants. You also want to avoid anything that is high in sugar or overly processed. So what kind of snacks are safe for your chicken? 

Fruit

Fruit is a great sweet treat for your chickens. Watermelon or grapes that have spent some time in the freezer is not only a delicious treat, but a great way to cool your chicks down in the hot heat of summer.  They love to peck at the frozen fruit. My flock also loves strawberries.  I always cut extra when I trim the stems off for the kids snack so the girls can have a little special treat. 

While chickens can eat the flesh of fruits like plums and apples, you need to avoid giving them access to the seeds or pits as they contain traces of cyanide that can be harmful to your flock. So make sure to core or pit your fruit before sharing. 

Veggies

Vegetables are another great option for snacking.  I have found that my girls really love tomatoes and will quickly turn their run into a backyard brawl fighting over who gets to partake. While the fruit is safe, you want to avoid feeding the actual plant to them.  

We also love to share squash, lettuce, cabbage, and all kinds of leafy greens.  We avoid any onions and potatoes like I mentioned above. 

Herbs 

Giving your chickens certain herbs is not only a nice treat, but also good for their health! 

Herbs like rosemary and sage are great for your chickens and are perennials so they all grow back year after year supplying your flock with a constant choice of delicious herbs. 

Basil helps to support a healthy immune system while oregano will help fight off internal parasites. Lavender  and mint laid in nesting boxes will make the coop smell fresh while also warding off pests.  Herbs are a great way to treat your flock with kindness. 

Meat

Would you believe me if I told you that chickens were not herbivores but were instead omnivores and enjoy the occasional little piece of meat added to their diet? Not only do your critters love bugs, but they also enjoy all sorts of meat leftover from your dinner.  When sharing meat with your flock ensure that it is fully cooked.  Undercooked meat can cause digestion issues.  Meat while enjoyable should not be an every day treat. 

Go forth and share with your flock

I hope that you have gotten some inspiration for sharing treats with your chickens and that you go forth and share these treats that your chickens will adore!  Do you have any special treats that you share with your feathered friends? We would love to hear!  Leave us a comment below, and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Pinterest to stay up to date on what is happening on the farm! 

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