Chickens, like humans, have their own unique preferences when it comes to food. While a balanced diet of chicken feed is crucial for their health and egg production, offering treats can be a fun and enriching way to interact with your flock. But What Are Chickens Favorite Food, and what should you avoid feeding them? This guide provides a comprehensive overview of safe and popular treats for your backyard chickens.
| Treat | Type | General Opinions |
|---|---|---|
| Apples | Raw and applesauce | Apple seeds contain cyanide, but not in sufficient quantities to cause harm. |
| Asparagus | Raw or cooked | Acceptable, but not a top choice. |
| Bananas | Without the peel | High in potassium, a beneficial treat. |
| Beans | Well-cooked only, never dry | Also, green beans are a good option. |
| Beets | Greens also. | |
| Berries | All kinds | A favorite, especially strawberries. |
| Bread | All kinds—use stale bread or rolls. | Feed starches in moderation. |
| Broccoli & Cauliflower | . | Tuck into a suet cage for them to peck at. |
| Cabbage & Brussels Sprouts | Whole head | Hang a whole cabbage in the coop during winter as a toy and a source of greens. |
| Carrots | Raw and cooked | They also enjoy carrot foliage. |
| Catfood * (see bottom of page) | Wet and dry | Feed in strict moderation, perhaps only during molting * (see bottom of page) |
| Cereal | Cheerios, etc. | Avoid highly sugared cereals. |
| Cheese | Including cottage cheese | Feed in moderation; it’s fatty but a good source of protein and calcium. |
| Cooked Chicken | . | While safe, it can feel unsettling to feed chickens to other chickens. |
| Corn | On cob and canned, raw and cooked | |
| Crickets (live) | Can be bought at bait or pet-supply stores. | Great treat—provides protein and it’s fun to watch chickens catch them. |
| Cucumbers | Let mature for yummy seeds and flesh. | |
| Eggs | Hard-cooked and scrambled are a good source of protein and a favorite treat. | Feed cooked eggs only to prevent chickens from eating their own raw eggs. |
| Eggplant | . | |
| Fish/Seafood | Cooked only. | |
| Flowers | Ensure they haven’t been treated with pesticides. | Marigolds, nasturtiums, pansies, etc. |
| Fruit | Pears, peaches, cherries, apples | |
| Grains | Bulgar, flax, niger, wheatberries, etc. | |
| Grapes | Seedless only. Cut them in half for chicks to make it easier to swallow. | Great fun—they are the chief cause of many entertaining “chicken keep away” games. |
| Grits | Cooked | |
| “Leftovers” | Only feed your chickens food items that are still considered edible by humans, don’t feed anything spoiled, moldy, oily, salty, or unidentifiable. | |
| Lettuce / Kale | Any 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. | A favorite treat, probably the most foolproof option. |
| Meat scraps of any kind. | Not too fatty. | A good source of protein in moderation. |
| Melon | Cantaloupe, etc. | Both the seeds and the flesh are good chicken treats. |
| Oatmeal | Raw or cooked | Cooked is nutritionally better. |
| Pasta/Macaroni | Cooked spaghetti, etc. | A favorite treat, fun to watch them eat it, but not much nutrition. |
| Peas | Peas and pea tendrils and flowers | |
| Peppers (bell) | . | |
| Pomegranates | Raw | Seeds are a big treat. |
| Popcorn | Popped, no butter, no salt. | |
| Potatoes/Sweet Potatoes/Yams | Cooked only—avoid the green parts of peels! | Starchy, not much nutrition |
| Pumpkins/Winter Squash | Raw or cooked | Both the seeds and the flesh are nutritious treats. |
| Raisins | . | |
| Rice | Cooked only | Pilaf mixes are okay too, plain white rice has little nutrition. |
| Scratch | Scratch 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. |
| Sprouts | Wheat and oat sprouts are great! | Good for greens in mid-winter. |
| Summer Squash | Yellow squash and zucchini | Yellow squash is not a huge favorite, but okay to feed. |
| Sunflower Seeds | Sunflower seeds in the shell are fine to feed, as well as shelled. | A good treat, helps hens lay eggs and grow healthy feathers. |
| Tomatoes | Raw and cooked. | |
| Turnips | Cooked. | Not a huge favorite |
| Watermelon | Served cold, it can keep chickens cool and hydrated during hot summers. | Seeds and flesh are both okay to feed. |
| Yogurt | Plain or flavored | A big favorite and good for their digestive systems. Plain is better. |
Top Chicken Treats: What Do Chickens Love to Eat?
While preferences vary, some treats are almost universally loved by chickens. Here are a few of the most popular choices:
- Mealworms: These are a hands-down favorite! High in protein, they’re perfect for molting season or as a special reward.
Alt text: A chicken swiftly snatching mealworms, showcasing their eagerness for this high-protein treat.
- Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries are a sweet and healthy treat. The vibrant colors also attract chickens.
- Grapes: Seedless grapes are a fun treat to toss to your flock, often leading to entertaining games of “chicken keep away.”
- Yogurt: A great source of probiotics, yogurt supports healthy digestion. Plain yogurt is best, but they’ll often enjoy flavored varieties as well.
Alt text: Chickens eagerly consuming yogurt, highlighting its palatability and benefits for their digestive health.
Seasonal Treats for Chickens
The best treats for your chickens can also depend on the time of year.
- Summer: Watermelon is an excellent choice for keeping your chickens cool and hydrated on hot days.
Alt text: Rooster-Red surrounded by chickens enjoying yogurt, emphasizing the messy but enjoyable experience of feeding chickens.
- Winter: Oatmeal and scratch grains provide extra energy to help chickens stay warm during cold weather.
Alt text: Chickens devouring warm oatmeal, demonstrating a comforting and nutritious treat during colder periods.
Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Chickens
While many foods are safe and enjoyable for chickens, some can be harmful or even toxic. It’s crucial to avoid feeding your chickens the following:
| Item | Here’s why: |
|---|---|
| Raw green potato peels | Contain a toxic substance called Solanine. |
| Anything really salty | Can cause salt poisoning. |
| Citrus | *. |
| Dried or undercooked Beans | Raw, or dry beans, contain a poison called hemagglutinin which is toxic. |
| Avocado Skin and Pit | Skin and pit have low levels of toxicity. |
| Raw eggs | May encourage chickens to eat their own eggs. |
| Candy, Chocolate, Sugar | Bad for their systems; chocolate can be poisonous. |
Important Considerations When Feeding Chickens Treats
- Moderation is key: Treats should only make up a small portion of a chicken’s diet. Overfeeding treats can lead to nutritional imbalances and health problems.
- Hygiene: Always provide treats in a clean feeder or on a clean surface to prevent the spread of disease.
- Observation: Pay attention to your chickens’ preferences and avoid feeding them anything that causes digestive upset.
Expert Advice on Chicken Treats
According to DLhunicorn, a respected voice in the backyard chicken community, “Do not count on your chickens ‘knowing’ what is bad for them…also do not count on these ‘toxic’ plants immediately being identifiable by finding a dead bird the next morning…usually it is a slow process damaging organs, inhibiting the ability of your bird to utilize the nutrients in their feed, etc.” This highlights the importance of responsible treat-giving and avoiding potentially harmful foods.
Conclusion: Happy Chickens, Happy Eggs
Understanding what are chickens favorite food and providing them with a variety of safe and healthy treats can enrich their lives and strengthen your bond with your flock. Remember to offer treats in moderation, prioritize hygiene, and always be mindful of potential hazards. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your chickens are happy, healthy, and laying delicious eggs.
You can read and discuss more chicken treats here:
—Feeding & Watering Your Flock Forum Section
—Topic/Question of the week—Feeding table scraps to your flock
—Topic of the Week – Feeding Treats
