Treats: It's More Than Just Food!

Feeding treats to chickens isn't only about supplementing their diet. It's also about engagement, enrichment, and creating a thriving environment for them. Treats can help in taming your chickens, fostering a strong bond, and even encouraging them to lay in specific areas!

Bug Buffet: Serving Up Insects

Insects are the crème de la crème of chicken treats. Packed with protein, they’re a big hit in the chicken run. From mealworms to super worms, crickets to grubs, they all get the seal of approval from our feathered friends. Serving insects also stimulates chickens' natural behavior of pecking and scratching. You can offer them straight up, or mix live insects into their bedding for a fun game of hide and seek!

Grain Gain: Nutritious and Delicious

Grains are another chicken favorite. Corn, oats, barley, wheat, you name it, they’ll gobble it! Providing a mix of grains is a great way to ensure they get a range of nutrients. These treats are perfect for scattering around the chicken run, encouraging natural foraging behavior. They're quite high in carbohydrates and can lead to overweight chickens if overfed. We want our hens healthy, not hefty! So, moderation is key!

Combo Deal: Mixing Insects and Grains

Can't choose between insects and grains? There's no need to! Combining the two gives you a protein-carb packed treat that chickens simply adore. Plus, it provides a balance of quick energy (from the grains) and long-lasting fuel (from the protein-rich insects). So, it's a win-win situation!

How To and How Often To Treat Your Chickens

Remember, chicken treats are just that - treats. They're not meant to replace a balanced diet but rather complement it. Overdoing it could result in overweight and unhealthy chickens, and we certainly don't want that!

So, as a general rule, treats should make up no more than 10% of your chickens' daily diet. Give them their regular, balanced feed first, then offer treats later in the day. This ensures your feathered friends don't fill up on treats and skip their essential meals.

And when it comes to how to feed chicken treats, variety is again key. Chickens love a challenge, so why not make mealtime fun? Try scattering treats around the coop or yard for them to find, or hide some treats inside a toyor feeder that encourages them to peck and scratch. It's great for their mental stimulation, and it's also a hoot to watch!

Treat Your Chickens, Treat Yourself!

Feeding treats to your chickens isn't just good for them, it's also loads of fun for you. There's nothing quite like the clucking of contentment as they discover a tasty bug or peck at a grain of corn. Plus, watching their delight as they forage around is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.

So, let's treat our chickens, and in doing so, treat ourselves to the joy and satisfaction that comes from raising happy, healthy hens. Cheers to that!