How to Make Your Own Healthy Treats for Backyard Chickens

 Making your own chicken treats is a wonderful way to supplement their diet, reduce kitchen waste, and strengthen your bond with your flock. Here’s a practical guide to creating nutritious, safe, and fun treats.

🚫 First, The Golden Rules

• Treats in Moderation: Treats should never exceed 10% of their daily intake. The core of their diet (90%+) must be a complete layer feed to ensure proper nutrition.

• No Spoiled or Moldy Food: This can cause serious illness.

• Avoid Harmful Foods: Never give avocado, chocolate, dried beans, green potato skins, caffeine, or salty/processed foods.

• Always Provide Fresh Water: Especially when giving treats.

✅ Safe & Healthy Base Ingredients

• Grains: Oats, cooked rice, quinoa, pasta (cooked, unsalted).

• Proteins: Mealworms (dried or live), scrambled eggs (shell included, crushed!), plain yogurt.

• Vegetables: Leafy greens, cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkin, squash, cooked sweet potato, broccoli, peas, corn.

• Fruits: Berries, watermelon, apples (seeds removed), bananas, pitted cherries.

• Herbs: Parsley, oregano, mint, basil (great for health and flavor).

• Calcium Boost: Crushed eggshells (baked & crushed), oyster shell.

🥣 Simple DIY Treat Recipes

1. Flock-Friendly Scrambled Eggs

• Scramble 2-3 eggs (including crushed shells for calcium).

• Let cool and serve. Excellent protein boost, especially for molting hens.

2. Frozen Summer Cooler

• Mix berries, peas, corn, or diced watermelon with water.

• Pour into an ice cube tray or shallow container.

• Freeze and offer on hot days. Hydrating and entertaining!

3. Pumpkin Power Bites

• Take a small pumpkin or squash, cut off the top.

• Scrape out seeds (you can rinse and dry these for a separate treat).

• Fill the cavity with a mix of plain yogurt, oats, and mealworms.

• Place the top back on and let them peck at it. Great for fall.

4. Herb & Veggie Chop

• Finely chop a mix of leafy greens (kale, spinach), fresh parsley, and oregano.

• Mix with a handful of cooked quinoa or oats.

• Serve fresh. Herbs support respiratory and immune health.

5. Protein-Packed "Flock Blocks" (Baked)

• Mix: 2 cups layer feed, 1 cup oats, 1/2 cup cornmeal, 1/2 cup mealworms.

• Bind: Mash 1 ripe banana + 1 egg + 2 tbsp molasses or pumpkin purée.

• Combine wet and dry, press into a greased pan.

• Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 mins until set. Cool completely, break into chunks.

6. Simple Sprouts

• Soak whole grains (wheat, barley) or sunflower seeds in water for 12 hours.

• Rinse, drain, and keep in a jar/container, rinsing twice daily.

• In 3-5 days, you’ll have nutrient-dense sprouts. Chickens love them!

💡 Feeding Tips & Presentation

• Scatter Feeding: Toss treats in their run to encourage natural foraging behavior.

• String It Up: Hang whole cabbage, apple, or watermelon from a string for a pecking toy.

• Stuffable Toys: Use a sturdy treat ball or a hollowed-out coconut shell filled with a grain mix.

• Observe: See what your flock loves and adjust. Treat preferences vary!

📅 A Sample Weekly Treat Schedule

• Monday: Handful of vegetable scraps.

• Tuesday: Plain yogurt in a dish.

• Wednesday: Scattered mealworms in the run.

• Thursday: No treats (layer feed only).

• Friday: Frozen berry cubes.

• Saturday: Herb & greens chop.

• Sunday: Cooked pumpkin or squash seeds.

Making your own treats is cost-effective, reduces waste, and ensures you know exactly what your hens are eating. The joy of watching them excitedly peck at something you prepared is a treat for you, too! Enjoy the process.

Remember: A healthy flock is a happy flock. Prioritize their balanced nutrition, and use these homemade goodies as the cherry on top of their daily care.