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Chicken Treats Chart – Everything You Should Know!

We at the typesofchicken.com team love to give our chickens treats and write about all the different ways a chicken keeper can do it. But as with everything else there is a good and a bad side in giving your chickens treats and what we wanted to do is provide for our readers is provide an easy and simple table about the dos and donts when giving your chickens treats.

Treat

TypeGeneral Opinions
ApplesRaw and applesauceApple seeds contain cyanide, but not in sufficient quantities to kill.
AsparagusRaw or cookedOkay to feed, but not a favorite.
BananasWithout the peelHigh in potassium, a good treat.
BeansWell-cooked only, never dryAlso, greenbeans.
BeetsGreens also..
BerriesAll kindsA treat, especially strawberries.
BreadsAll kinds – good use for stale bread or rollsFeed starches in moderation.
Broccoli & Cauliflower.Tuck into a suet cage and they will pick at it all day.
Cabbage & Brussels SproutsWhole head –Hang a whole cabbage from their coop ceiling in winter so they have something to play with and greens to eat.
CarrotsRaw and cookedThey like carrot foliage too.
Catfood * (see bottom of page)Wet and dryFeed in strict moderation, perhaps only during moulting * (see bottom of page)
CerealCheerios, etc.Avoid highly sugared cereal such as Cocopuffs, etc.
CheeseIncluding cottage cheeseFeed in moderation, fatty but a good source of protein and calcium
Cooked Chicken.They may like it and it won’t kill them, but it just seems so….. ummm………… wrong.
CornOn cob and canned, raw and cooked.
Crickets (alive)Can be bought at bait or pet-supply stores.Great treat – provides protein and it’s fun to watch the chickens catch them.
Cucumbers Let mature for yummy seeds and flesh.
EggsHardcooked and scrambled are a good source of protein, and a favorite treat.Feed cooked eggs only because you don’t want your chickens to start eating their own raw eggs.
Eggplant..
Fish / SeafoodCooked only. 
FlowersMake sure they haven’t been treated with pesticides, such as florist flowers might be.Marigolds, nasturtiums, pansies, etc.
FruitPears, peaches, cherries, apples GrainsBulgar, flax, niger, wheatberries,etc..
GrapesSeedless only.

 

For chicks, cutting them in half makes it easier for them to swallow.

Great fun – the cause of many entertaining “chicken keepaway” games.
 GritsCooked 
“Leftovers”Only feed your chickens that which is still considered edible by humans, don’t feed anything spoiled, moldy, oily, salty or unidentifiable. 
Lettuce / KaleAny leafy greens, spinach collards, chickweed included.A big treat, depending on how much other greenery they have access to.
Mealworms

 

(see photo after the chart)

Available at pet supply stores or on the internet, although shipping is expensive!A huge(!) favorite treat, probably the most foolproof treat on the books.
Meat scraps of any kind.Not too fatty.In moderation, a good source of protein
MelonCantelope, etc.Both seeds and flesh are good chicken treats.
OatmealRaw or cookedCooked is nutritionally better.
Pasta / MacaroniCooked spaghetti, etc.A favorite treat, fun to watch them eat it, but not much nutrition.
PeasPeas and pea tendrils and flowers (thanks to YayChick for the advice).
Peppers (bell)..
PomegranatesRawSeeds are a big treat.
PopcornPopped, no butter, no salt. 
Potatos / Sweet Potatos/YamsCooked only – avoid green parts of peels!Starchy, not much nutrition
Pumpkins / Winter SquashRaw or cookedBoth seeds and flesh are a nutritious treat.
Raisins. 
RiceCooked onlyPilaf mixes are okay too, plain white rice has little nutrition.
ScratchScratch is cracked corn with grains (such as wheat, oats and rye) mixed in.Scratch is a treat for cold weather, not a complete feed. Toss it on the ground and let them scratch for it for something to do.
 SproutsWheat and oat sprouts are great! Good for greens in mid-winter.
Summer SquashYellow squash and zucchiniYellow squash not a huge favorite, but okay to feed.
Sunflower SeedsSunflower seeds with the shell still on is fine to feed, as well as with the shell off.A good treat, helps hens lay eggs and grow healthy feathers.
TomatosRaw and cooked. 
TurnipsCooked.Not a huge favoriteWatermelonServed cold, it can keep chickens cool and hydrated during hot summers.Seeds and flesh are both okay to feed.
YogurtPlain or flavoredA big favorite and good for their digestive systems. Plain is better.

Treats That Are NOT Good For Your Chickens

Giving some treats to your chickens that are not safe for them can cause huge health problems and in some cases death in the flock. Treats that can cause severe organ damage, loss in egg production, spreadable diseases  etc. are considered dangerous for your chickens. These are the big no-no treats:

  • Moldy Or Rotten Food

Well as we mentioned above do not give moldy or rotten food to your chickens, it is very dangerous and damaging for their organisms for the same reasons it is for ours.

  • Raw Eggs

Giving raw eggs to your chickens may lead to them pecking their own eggs and that will not do good in any sort of way. Instead of raw, try giving them scrambled eggs.

  • Dry Rice

Giving dry rice to your chickens as a part of their treat may cause severe damage to their internal organs and even death.

  •  Green Potato Skin

Green potato skins because of their color indicate the presence of Solanine. Solanine can be dangerous for birds so avoid giving green potato skins to your chickens

  • Avocado Peels And Pit

The fruit itself can be very good for your chickens but the avocado peels and pit contain Persin which can be dangerous not only for birds but also for other animals so they are a big no-no.

The Best Treats You Can Give To Your Chickens

Again, as we mentioned above your chickens deserve to be spoiled by getting their nutritious treats from time to time, they enjoy eating them and are fun to watch while doing it – especially if they are not familiar with the treat the chicken keeper is presenting them. These are the best treats you can give to your chickens with high nutritious value:

  • Worms ( Maggots, Earthworms, Meal Worms)

Worms are a good provider of protein for your chickens and are a must have as a treat every once in awhile. They are free or low cost in some cases and on top of that they have a high nutritious value.

  • Yogurt

Also one of the favorite treats for every chicken yogurt is healthy. Yogurt can also be a good base for many different recipes for chicken treats that many chicken keepers enjoy making.

  • Apples

Available every time and everywhere apples are one of the most given treats to chickens. But what many chicken keepers tend to forget is remove the seeds and that is bad because apple seeds contain small amounts of cyanide.

  • Green Vegetables

Cabbage, kale, cucumber etc. are very easy to provide for your chickens and can have a very positive effect on the quality of the egg.

  • Prepared Eggs

Scrambled eggs with some baked crushed eggshells is one of the best treats you can give to your chickens because eggs contain everything healthy that a chicken needs in order to provide quality eggs.

What do you give to your chickens as treats? Share your experiences in the comments below or via e-mail support@typesofchicken.com

Source:http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-treat-chart-the-best-treats-for-backyard-chickens
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