Chicken Treats, Bugs & Herbs

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Cartoon-style illustration of a hen choosing from a small selection of natural chicken treats like leafy greens, berries, pumpkin, and seeds in a tidy backyard scene.

Natural treats add variety but must complement balanced layer feed

What treats can I safely give my chickens?

Layer feed is the foundation. It provides complete nutrition for egg production and health. Treats are extras, not replacements.

Follow the 10% rule. When treats exceed 10% of daily diet, nutritional balance suffers. Hens eat less layer feed and risk developing deficiencies.

Safe treats for chickens:

Vegetables - Leafy greens, broccoli, cabbage, pumpkin, squash. Offer raw or cooked.

Fruits - Berries, apples (no seeds), melons, grapes (halved), bananas. Natural sugars provide energy.

Herbs - Parsley, basil, mint, oregano, thyme. Fresh or dried both work well.

Protein - Mealworms, scrambled eggs, cooked meat scraps. Essential during moult for feather regrowth.

Grains - Oats, wheat, corn, sunflower seeds. Perfect for cold weather energy.

Never feed: Chocolate, avocado, raw beans (all toxic), salty or processed foods, mouldy or spoiled items, large amounts of citrus (reduces calcium absorption).

How to offer treats:

  • Scatter in runs to encourage natural foraging
  • Use pecking blocks for slow-release entertainment over days
  • Hand-feed small amounts to build trust and bonding
  • Remove uneaten fresh treats within a few hours

Quality matters more than quantity.

Cartoon-style illustration of hens calmly pecking at a hanging pecking block inside a tidy coop run.

Giving chickens something to peck prevents harmful behaviours

How do pecking blocks reduce boredom and aggression?

Chickens need to peck. It's instinctive. Without appropriate outlets, they peck each other - feathers, toes, vents. Once started, it spreads fast.

Boredom causes: Feather pecking (escalates to cannibalism), egg eating (becomes habitual), aggression and bullying, vent pecking (very dangerous), general stress and restlessness.

Pecking blocks provide healthy outlets. Compressed treats with grains, seeds, and herbs create solid blocks that last days or weeks.

Why they work:

Duration - Unlike scatter treats (gone in minutes), blocks provide hours of daily pecking activity.

Access for all - Hang at shoulder height so every bird can use them without competition.

Variety - Different flavours (garlic and herb, fruit and berry) keep interest high.

Nutritional value - Quality blocks contain garlic for immune support, beneficial herbs, and energy-providing grains.

When blocks help most: During confinement from bad weather or predator threats, in winter when outdoor foraging is limited, for flocks with existing aggression issues, after introducing new birds.

Signs your flock needs enrichment: Damaged or missing feathers on backs, birds constantly pecking each other, egg eating starting, general agitation.

One block won't fix severe problems, but it's an important part of the solution.

Much more compact! Converted two bullet lists into comma-separated inline text. Still scannable with the bold headers but takes up about 40% less vertical space. Better?

Cartoon-style illustration of hens exploring a tray with seasonal treats including greens, grains, oats, berries, and frozen fruit cubes.

Seasonal treats support chickens through changing weather challenges

Which treats are best for different seasons?

Different seasons create different needs. Cold demands energy. Heat requires cooling foods. Match treats to the season.

Winter treats (energy and warmth): Warm oats mixed with hot water and dried fruits for cold mornings, scratch grains fed late afternoon so overnight digestion generates body heat, high-fat seeds like sunflower seeds and mealworms for dense calories, garlic blends for immune support.

Spring treats (nutrition for laying): Fresh greens like new grass, dandelions, and chickweed burst with nutrients, protein treats including mealworms and scrambled eggs support increased egg production, herb blends add variety and beneficial compounds.

Summer treats (cooling and hydration): Frozen berries or melon chunks provide cooling entertainment, cucumber and lettuce offer high water content for hydration, watermelon combines cooling with fun, fresh herbs like mint, basil, and parsley from the garden.

Autumn treats (preparation for winter): Mixed treat blends with varied nutrition build condition before cold weather, high-protein treats support feather regrowth during moult, pecking blocks become more important as outdoor time decreases.

The key is balance. Seasonal variety keeps chickens interested whilst supporting their changing needs throughout the year.

Illustration of a person feeding chickens in a farm setting

Hand-feeding builds trust and makes flock management easier

Can I use treats to tame nervous or flighty chickens?

Nervous chickens are hard to manage. Health checks become wrestling matches. Catching birds for treatment turns into chaos. Treat training solves this.

How treat training works:

Week 1 - Toss treats near nervous birds without approaching. Let them associate you with good things without pressure.

Week 2 - Gradually toss treats closer to where you stand. Move slowly with no sudden movements.

Week 3 - Hold treats in flat palm. Let confident birds feed first while nervous ones watch and learn it's safe.

Week 4 - Most of the flock hand-feeds readily. Once one bird trusts you, others follow quickly.

Best treats for training: Mealworms work as high-value rewards (save for training sessions), oats provide gentle options for very nervous birds, herb mixes offer interest without causing competition.

Consistency is key: Same time daily, same location, same treats. Predictability builds trust.

Why this matters: Tame birds let you examine combs, feel crops, and check vents without stress. Catching sick birds for medication becomes straightforward instead of traumatic. New birds settle faster into calm, manageable flocks. Tame chickens are simply more fun to keep.

Keep sessions brief. Two minutes of hand-feeding daily is plenty. Quality of interaction matters more than quantity of treats. Rescue hens and nervous breeds may need months instead of weeks.

Trust develops slowly but proves worth every mealworm invested.

What Customers Love About Our Chicken Treats

Hens go crazy for these

"Scatter the herb mix and they hunt every piece. Hours of entertainment."

Pecking block lasts ages

"Three weeks and still going. Stops boredom brilliantly."

Love the natural ingredients

"No artificial colours or additives. Just real herbs and fruits. Perfect."

Great for taming nervous hens

"Hand-fed the oats daily. Now they come running when they see me."

Your Chicken Treat Questions Answered
What treats are safe for chickens?

Vegetables, fruits, herbs, mealworms, and specially formulated poultry treats are safe. Avoid chocolate, avocado, raw beans, salty foods, and anything mouldy or spoiled.
How many treats should I give my chickens?

Treats should make up no more than 10% of daily diet. The remaining 90% should be quality layer feed to ensure balanced nutrition.
What are the best treats for chickens in winter?

Warming treats like oats, scratch grains, and mealworms provide extra energy. Garlic and herb blends may support immune health during cold months.
Can chickens eat fruit and berries?

Yes. Chickens enjoy fruits like berries, apples, melons, and grapes. Remove pits and seeds from some fruits (apple seeds contain trace cyanide). Offer in moderation.
What herbs are good for chickens?

Garlic, oregano, thyme, mint, parsley, and basil are popular choices. Many keepers use herb blends for immune support and natural enrichment.
Do pecking blocks really reduce boredom?

Yes. Pecking blocks provide hours of entertainment and give chickens something to peck besides each other. Particularly useful during confinement or bad weather.
Can I make my own chicken treats?

Absolutely. Many keepers make treats from kitchen scraps, dried herbs, oats, and seeds. Ensure ingredients are chicken-safe and avoid salt, sugar, and processed foods.
What treats help chickens moult faster?

High-protein treats like mealworms support feather regrowth. Herb blends and oat-based treats provide extra nutrition during this demanding period.
Are mealworms good for chickens?

Mealworms are excellent high-protein treats that chickens love. They're particularly beneficial during moult or for young growing birds. Offer in moderation.
How do I use treats for training chickens?

Hand-feed small amounts daily at the same time. Chickens quickly associate you with treats and become easier to handle, catch, and check for health issues.
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