Chicken Treats Guide to A Healthy Flock of Chickens

Inside: The best chicken treats to boost health, support egg production, and keep your flock happy with safe, nutritious snacks and feeding tips.

If you're a chicken keeper, you likely know how rewarding it is to care for your flock. While complete chicken feed forms the basis of a healthy diet, adding chicken treats can be a great way to supplement nutrition, bond with your birds, and keep them mentally stimulated. But not all poultry treats are created equal—some provide essential nutrients, while others should be offered only occasionally and in moderation.

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Chicken Treats Guide to A Healthy Flock of Chickens

In this guide, we’ll cover the best treats for chickens, how to offer them safely, and best practices to support your flock’s overall health.

Why Offer Chicken Healthy Treats?

Healthy chicken treats serve several purposes:

Add variety to a complete feed-based, balanced diet
Provide essential nutrients such as protein, amino acids, and extra vitamins
Encourage natural behaviors like scratching, pecking, and foraging
Build trust with new or shy birds
Offer enrichment during winter or periods of confinement

Whether you're caring for baby chicks, a broody hen, or a flock of backyard chickens, the right treats can make a noticeable difference in their behavior and health.

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Best Chicken Treats to Support a Healthy Diet

Here’s a selection of nutritious treats that are both safe and beneficial for chickens.

High-Protein Treats

Protein is especially important during molting, cold weather, and for optimal egg production. These are excellent sources of protein:

Black soldier fly larvae
Mealworms, crickets, or earthworms
Cooked eggs or small table scraps of cooked meat
Fish skin or canned tuna packed in water

Use high-protein treats in moderation, as too much can lead to health issues such as fatty liver syndrome.

Vegetables and Leafy Greens

Vegetables are a great treat for providing fiber and added nutrients. Offer them raw or lightly cooked and chopped into small pieces.

Kale, spinach, and other leafy greens
Broccoli, cabbage, and brussels sprouts
Carrots, celery, and cooked sweet potatoes
Pesticide-free rose petals from rose bushes

These types of treats are excellent for keeping chickens active, especially when hung in their run.

Fruits for Occasional Sweet Treats

Fruits are high in natural sugar, so they should only be given in small amounts as special treats.

Apple slices (remove seeds)
Watermelon rinds
Berries
Bananas

Avoid avocado flesh and avocado pits, as well as any stone fruit pits, which can be toxic to chickens.

Grains and Scratch Mixes

Scratch grains and whole grains are flock favorites, particularly in cold climates where they provide extra warmth through digestion.

Cracked corn, oats, barley, and wheat
Black oil sunflower seeds for extra fat and protein

Scatter them in the chicken run to encourage natural foraging behavior.

How to Offer Chicken Treats

Toss Them in the Run

The simplest method is to scatter treats directly on the ground. Chickens will instinctively scratch and peck to find their favorites, especially useful for free-ranging or confined backyard chickens.

Use Heavy Bowls or Feeders

We use a few heavy dog bowls that chickens can’t flip. These work well for soft kitchen scraps, chopped vegetables, or grains.

Hanging Treat Options

Hanging treats keeps chickens entertained and reduces waste.

Hanging Skewers are great for firm items like cabbage heads or apples.
Feeder Nets are useful for leafy greens, lettuce, and fruit scraps. They are easy to fill but slightly harder to clean.
Ball Feeders offer structure and are easier to clean than nets. Stuff them with chopped vegetables or grains.

Best Practices for Chicken Treats

Use moderation: Treats should make up no more than 10% of the chickens’ diet.
Avoid toxic foods: Never give avocado, chocolate, onions, green potatoes, or anything part of the nightshade family unless cooked.
Watch fat and salt: Avoid salty or fatty kitchen leftovers.
Feed in small amounts: Especially for chicks treats or smaller breeds.
Provide grit and oyster shell: These help with digestion and support strong eggshells.
Maintain a varied diet: This helps ensure your chickens get all essential nutrients.
Practice common sense: If you wouldn't feed it to yourself, think twice before offering it to your flock.

Keep Your Flock Happy and Healthy

Offering wholesome treats is one of the best ways to supplement a complete feed and improve your chickens’ overall health. From nutrient-rich grains to leafy greens and occasional sweet healthy snacks, the right selection of premium poultry snacks can help you support your chickens’ well-being, keep them entertained, and even improve egg production.

A healthy flock starts with a nutritious diet and a little extra attention. Whether you’re feeding pet chickens, laying hens, or raising baby chicks for the first time, incorporating healthy chicken treats is a simple, effective way to care for your feathered friends.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Treats

Should chickens have access to food all the time? At any age, give them unlimited access to food. Birds are not like other animals; they don't eat meals and then are fine.

Can chickens go all night without food? After 8 weeks of age, your chickens don't require 24/7 access to food or water at that point, you want to remove food and water from the coop at night to avoid damp bedding and pests.
Can chickens have cucumbers? Chickens can eat cucumbers. Cucumbers are a good, refreshing treat for chickens, especially during hot weather, as they are high in water and low in calories. Chickens can eat the cucumber skin and the flesh, and they often enjoy the middle flesh more.