7 Best Chicken Treats for Backyard Poultry Your Flock Will Go Wild For

Treating your backyard chickens to special snacks isn’t just about spoiling them—it’s about boosting their health, encouraging natural behaviors, and strengthening your bond with your flock. The right treats can supplement your birds’ diet with essential nutrients while providing enrichment that keeps them active and happy.

Choosing quality chicken treats means understanding what’s safe, nutritious, and most appealing to your feathered friends while avoiding common items that could harm their health. In this guide, we’ll explore the seven best treats that’ll have your chickens clucking with delight while supporting their wellbeing.

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Why Chicken Treats Matter for Your Backyard Flock

Treats serve as more than just snacks for your backyard chickens—they’re powerful tools for flock management. When used strategically, treats can redirect chickens’ attention during coop cleaning, making your maintenance tasks significantly easier.

Offering treats also supports natural foraging behaviors that chickens instinctively crave. This mental stimulation prevents boredom and reduces destructive habits like feather pecking and bullying that often emerge in understimulated flocks.

Treats can dramatically strengthen the bond between you and your birds. When chickens associate you with delicious morsels, they’ll eagerly approach when you enter their space, creating a more rewarding and interactive backyard farming experience.

The right treats also provide nutritional benefits that complement your chickens’ regular feed. Certain treats offer protein boosts during molting, while others deliver essential vitamins during egg production peaks when hens need extra nutritional support.

1. Mealworms: The High-Protein Snack Chickens Go Crazy For

Benefits of Feeding Mealworms

Mealworms deliver exceptional protein that’s particularly valuable during molting periods when your chickens need nutritional support for feather regrowth. These tasty treats promote active foraging behavior while supporting overall flock health. Your hens will benefit from improved digestive function and potentially increased egg production when mealworms are incorporated as part of a balanced diet.

How to Serve Mealworms to Your Chickens

You can offer mealworms in several engaging ways: scatter them on the ground for natural foraging, place them in feeding dishes, or hand-feed them to build trust with your flock. Both live and dried options work well—live ones provide entertainment while dried varieties store longer. Remember to practice moderation, keeping mealworms to less than 10% of your chickens’ overall diet to maintain optimal nutrition.

2. Fresh Fruits: Natural Sweetness for Your Feathered Friends

Fresh fruits offer a perfect combination of hydration, vitamins, and natural sugars that chickens find irresistible. These colorful treats not only provide nutritional benefits but also offer variety to your flock’s diet.

Top Fruits Chickens Love

1. Berries – Chickens devour strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries, which provide rich antioxidants and vitamins in an easily digestible form.
2. Watermelon – Both flesh and seeds are safe, making watermelon an excellent hydrating treat during hot summer months.
3. Melons – Cantaloupe and other melons offer refreshing nutrition that chickens eagerly peck at.
4. Apples – These make healthy treats when seeds are removed, as the seeds contain small amounts of arsenic.
5. Bananas – Rich in potassium, bananas can be offered occasionally as a nutritious snack.

Serving Tips and Precautions

• Follow the 90/10 rule: Ensure treats make up only 10% of your chickens’ diet, with 90% coming from complete feed.
• Remove seeds and pits from fruits like apples, peaches, and pears as they contain toxic compounds.
• Chop fruits into small pieces to prevent choking hazards, especially for younger birds.
• Avoid spoiled or moldy fruits which can cause serious health issues in your flock.

3. Kitchen Scraps: Sustainable Treats From Your Dinner Table

Transform your kitchen waste into wholesome treats for your backyard flock! Using appropriate food scraps not only reduces waste but also provides chickens with nutritional variety.

Safe Kitchen Scraps for Chickens

Vegetables like carrots, broccoli, cabbage, and zucchini make excellent nutritious treats for chickens. Cooked grains such as pasta, rice, and oats are safe options that chickens enjoy pecking at. Fresh herbs including oregano, mint, and basil can be offered as both treats and health boosters. Remember to chop larger vegetable scraps into manageable pieces to prevent choking hazards.

What Food Scraps to Avoid

Never feed chickens avocado pits and skins, as they contain persin, a toxin harmful to poultry. Avoid undercooked beans, rhubarb, and nightshade family vegetables like raw potatoes, which are toxic to chickens. Garlic and onions should be excluded as they can cause off-flavors in eggs. Always remove spoiled, moldy, oily, or extremely salty foods from your scraps before feeding them to your flock. When offering fruit garlands, remember to remove any string or wire to prevent ingestion.

4. Cracked Corn: The Classic Chicken Treat

Cracked corn is one of the most traditional and beloved treats for backyard chickens, offering a simple yet effective way to supplement your flock’s diet while providing them with energy-boosting nutrients.

Nutritional Benefits of Corn

Cracked corn serves as an excellent energy source for chickens, packed with carbohydrates and fiber that fuel active and growing birds. It’s particularly valuable during high-energy demand periods, though it shouldn’t replace balanced feed. While not nutritionally complete on its own, cracked corn complements other food sources by providing concentrated energy that supports overall flock vitality.

Best Times to Offer Corn Treats

Timing matters when feeding cracked corn to your backyard flock. Offer it during molting seasons to support feather regrowth and energy needs. Cold weather feeding is ideal as the carbohydrates help chickens generate body heat when temperatures drop. Afternoon or evening treats keep chickens engaged until roosting time. Always follow the 90/10 rule—90% complete feed, 10% treats—to maintain proper nutrition.

5. Herbs and Leafy Greens: Nutrient-Packed Supplements

Herbs That Boost Chicken Health

Herbs aren’t just for your kitchen—they’re powerful health boosters for chickens too. Mint repels rodents and insects while creating a calming effect on your flock. Oregano works as a natural antibiotic, strengthening immunity against common poultry illnesses. Basil promotes healthy respiratory and immune systems, while lavender reduces stress and repels insects. Don’t forget to include thyme, cilantro, parsley, and rosemary—all offering unique health benefits when added to your chickens’ diet in moderation.

Creating a Chicken Salad Bar

Transform feeding time into a nutritional bonanza by setting up a chicken salad bar. Start with a variety of leafy greens like nutrient-rich kale, lettuce, spinach, and swiss chard, which contribute to darker, richer egg yolks. Add colorful vegetables such as cucumbers, carrots, and bell peppers along with berries, watermelon, and seedless apple chunks. Include protein sources like mealworms or black soldier fly larvae, and sprinkle in some seeds and grains. Remember to follow the 90/10 rule—90% complete feed, 10% treats—to maintain optimal health.

6. Scratch Grains: The Perfect Foraging Activity

Scratch grains are a classic chicken treat that promotes natural foraging behavior while providing an energy boost for your flock. This traditional treat serves multiple purposes in your backyard poultry management.

What’s in Scratch Grain Mix

Scratch grain typically contains a blend of whole and cracked grains such as corn, wheat, oats, and barley. This varied mix delivers essential energy through carbohydrates while encouraging chickens to scratch and peck—activities that mimic their natural foraging behaviors. Each grain contributes different nutritional elements that support overall chicken health when fed appropriately.

Using Scratch Grains Effectively

Scatter scratch grains on the ground during afternoons to keep chickens active and engaged before roosting time. Follow the 90/10 rule—treats should comprise no more than 10% of their diet, with complete feed making up the remaining 90%. Scratch grains are particularly valuable during cold weather when chickens need extra energy to generate body heat, and during molting periods when additional resources support feather regrowth.

7. Sprouted Seeds: Living Treats for Optimal Health

Sprouted seeds offer a living, nutritional powerhouse that chickens absolutely love. These enzyme-rich treats provide exceptional health benefits while encouraging natural foraging behaviors in your backyard flock.

How to Grow Sprouts for Chickens

Growing sprouts is surprisingly simple and cost-effective. Start by soaking seeds like wheat, oats, or sunflower in water overnight. Transfer them to a jar or sprouting tray, rinse twice daily, and keep them in a warm, dark place. Within 3-5 days, you’ll have fresh sprouts ready to feed your eager chickens. This living treat requires minimal space and provides maximum nutrition.

The Nutritional Advantage of Sprouts

Sprouted seeds dramatically increase in nutritional value compared to their dry counterparts. During germination, they develop higher levels of vitamins A, C, and K, along with essential enzymes that aid digestion. The sprouting process also breaks down seed coatings, making nutrients more bioavailable to your chickens. This makes sprouted seeds particularly valuable during winter months when fresh greens are scarce.

Benefits for Chickens

Your chickens will reap multiple rewards from regular sprout feedings. Beyond the impressive nutritional profile, sprouts satisfy chickens’ natural foraging instincts as they peck and scratch through the living greens. The fresh, tender sprouts are highly digestible, making them suitable for chickens of all ages. Regular feeding can contribute to healthier, more vibrant feathers and potentially improve egg quality. Sprouts also provide engaging mental stimulation that reduces boredom-related behaviors in confined flocks.

Balancing Treats With Complete Nutrition in Your Backyard Flock

From protein-packed mealworms to vibrant fresh fruits these seven chicken treats offer more than just tasty snacks—they’re valuable tools for flock management health improvement and strengthening your bond with your backyard birds.

Remember to maintain the 90/10 rule with treats making up no more than 10% of your chickens’ diet. The right balance ensures your flock receives complete nutrition while still enjoying these special additions.

Start introducing these treats gradually and observe how your chickens respond. You’ll quickly discover their favorites while providing essential enrichment for their daily routine. Your backyard flock will be healthier happier and more engaged thanks to these nutritious options that support their natural behaviors and dietary needs.

Happy chicken keeping!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of giving treats to backyard chickens?

Treating chickens isn’t just about spoiling them—it strengthens your bond with your flock, promotes natural foraging behaviors, and provides nutritional supplements. Well-chosen treats can enhance health, especially during molting or high egg production periods, while also preventing boredom-related behaviors like feather pecking. Treats function as effective management tools when redirecting chickens during coop cleaning.

How often should I feed treats to my chickens?

Follow the 90/10 rule: treats should comprise no more than 10% of your chickens’ diet, with the remaining 90% coming from a complete commercial feed. This balance ensures they receive all necessary nutrients while still enjoying supplemental goodies. Offering treats once daily, preferably in the afternoon, helps maintain proper nutrition while providing enrichment.

Are mealworms good for chickens?

Mealworms are excellent high-protein treats that chickens love, particularly beneficial during molting when protein needs increase for feather regrowth. They encourage natural foraging behavior and can improve digestive function. Both live and dried varieties are effective, but keep them under 10% of the total diet. They can be scattered on the ground or hand-fed to build trust.

What fruits can chickens safely eat?

Chickens enjoy many fruits including berries, watermelon, apples (seeds removed), bananas, and melons. These provide hydration, vitamins, and natural sugars. Always remove toxic seeds and pits, particularly from apples, peaches, and cherries. Chop fruits into appropriate sizes to prevent choking, and never offer spoiled or moldy fruit. Remember the 90/10 rule when feeding fruits.

Which kitchen scraps are safe for chickens?

Safe kitchen scraps include most vegetables (carrots, broccoli, cabbage, zucchini), cooked grains (pasta, rice, oats), and fresh herbs. Avoid avocado pits/skins, undercooked beans, rhubarb, nightshade vegetables, garlic, onions, and anything spoiled or excessively salty. Properly chop items to prevent choking and introduce new scraps gradually to monitor how your chickens react.

What is the best time of day to feed treats to chickens?

The afternoon or early evening is ideal for treat-feeding. This timing prevents chickens from filling up on treats early in the day when they should be consuming their nutritionally complete feed. Evening treats help keep chickens engaged until roosting time and can be especially beneficial during cold weather when chickens need extra energy before night.

Can chickens eat cracked corn?

Yes, cracked corn is a classic chicken treat that provides energy through carbohydrates and fiber. It’s especially valuable during molting and cold weather, helping chickens generate body heat. However, it’s not nutritionally complete, so offer it as an afternoon treat rather than a meal replacement. Like all treats, follow the 90/10 rule.

How do herbs benefit chickens?

Herbs provide numerous health benefits for chickens. Mint repels pests and cools birds in summer; oregano and thyme have natural antibiotic properties; basil supports immune function; and lavender reduces stress. Fresh herbs can be scattered in nesting boxes or added to feed. Creating a “chicken salad bar” with herbs and leafy greens provides enrichment while delivering valuable nutrients.

What are sprouted seeds and why are they good for chickens?

Sprouted seeds are living treats grown from whole grains or seeds that have begun germinating. During sprouting, their nutritional value increases significantly with enhanced vitamins and enzymes. They’re easy and cost-effective to grow at home, support natural foraging behaviors, and contribute to healthier feathers and improved egg quality. Regular feeding provides both nutrition and mental stimulation.

How can treats help with chicken management?

Treats function as powerful flock management tools. They can redirect chickens’ attention during coop cleaning, help train chickens to return to the coop at dusk, and facilitate health checks when hand-feeding. Regular treat-giving builds trust between you and your flock, making handling easier. Strategic treat use can also reduce destructive behaviors by providing mental stimulation and enrichment.