10 Irresistible Chicken Treat Recipes Your Flock Will Love

A range of healthy ingredients for making delicious healthy DIY chicken treats

Are you looking for a healthy snack for your feathered friends that is more exciting than vegetable scraps? Look no further! We have put together a list of 10 irresistible DIY chicken treat recipes that chickens love. From savoury to sweet, these healthy treats for chickens are sure to satisfy any chicken’s taste buds. Not only are these recipes delicious for your chooks, but they are also packed with nutrients to keep your backyard chicken flock healthy and happy. Whether you’re a seasoned chicken owner or just starting out, these recipes are easy to make and will provide a fun and tasty way to show your chickens how much you care.

So, let’s get cooking and give your hens the treats they deserve!

Mealworm Muffins
Scrambled Egg and Vegetable Medley
Bananas and Yoghurt Delight
Chicken-Friendly Trail Mix
Mealworm and Sunflower Seed Treats
Watermelon and Mint Treats
Fruity Frozen Yoghurt
Blueberry and Mint Salad
Sweet Potato and Carrot Mash
Worms and Mealworms Medley

Why should you give treats to your chickens?

Treats are a great way to show your backyard chickens how much you care. They provide a fun and tasty way to supplement their regular diet and keep them happy and healthy. In addition to providing entertainment for your chickens, treats can also offer nutritional benefits. For example, fruits and vegetables are high in vitamins and minerals that can boost your chicken’s immune system and keep them healthy. Treats can also help keep your chickens hydrated, especially during the hot summer months.

The importance of choosing healthy and safe ingredients for chicken treats

When it comes to chicken treats, it’s important to choose healthy and safe ingredients. Avoid giving your chickens processed or junk food, as these can be harmful to their health. Instead, opt for fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains that are high in nutrients and low in preservatives. It’s also important to avoid giving your chickens anything that may be toxic to them, such as chocolate, avocado, or onions.

Homemade chicken treats vs store-bought treats

While store-bought treats may be convenient, they often contain preservatives and other additives that can be harmful to your chickens. Homemade treats, on the other hand, allow you to control the ingredients and ensure that your chickens are getting a healthy and nutritious treat. They also provide an opportunity to get creative in the kitchen and experiment with different ingredients and flavours.

Feeding chicken treats – how often and how much?

It’s important to feed your chickens treats in moderation. Too many treats can lead to obesity and other health problems. As a general rule, treats should make up no more than 10% of your chicken’s diet, with commercial chicken feed making up the majority of their diet. You can offer treats once or twice a day, but be sure to adjust the amount based on the size of your flock. A good rule of thumb is to offer a small handful of treats per chicken.

Safety precautions when feeding treats to chickens

When feeding treats to your chickens, it’s important to take some safety precautions to ensure that the treats are safe for chickens. Make sure that all treats are chopped up into small pieces to prevent choking. Supervise your chickens while they are eating treats to ensure that they are not fighting over them or consuming too much too quickly. It’s also important to keep your chicken’s treats clean and free from mould or bacteria to help your chickens avoid sickness.

Common mistakes to avoid when giving treats to chickens

While treats can be a great way to show your chickens how much you care, there are some common mistakes to avoid. One mistake is overfeeding your chickens, which can lead to obesity and other health problems. Another mistake is giving your chickens treats that are unhealthy or toxic to chickens, such as chocolate or avocado. It’s also important to avoid giving your chickens too much of a good thing, such as too many mealworms or fruits that are high in sugar.

10 irresistible chicken treat recipes

Choose a recipe below when you’re looking for a healthy DIY treat for chickens.

Mealworm muffins freshly baked for chicken treats

CHICKEN TREAT RECIPE #1

Mealworm Muffins

These Mealworm Muffins are a fantastic way to surprise your chickens with a delicious and high-protein tasty treat they won’t be able to resist. Packed with wholesome ingredients, these muffins are a perfect combination of flavours that will make your chickens cluck with joy.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup mealworms
  • 1 cup oatmeal
  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Mix together all dry ingredients in a large bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
  5. Grease a muffin tin and fill each muffin cup with the batter.
  6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
  7.  Let cool and serve to your chickens.
A frypan with chopped up vegetables and scrambled eggs

CHICKEN TREAT RECIPE #2

Scrambled Egg and Vegetable Medley

This yolk-filled treat is a great treat that will leave your chickens clucking for more! This delightful dish combines fluffy scrambled eggs with a colourful medley of chopped vegetables, creating a nutritious and delicious snack that your feathered friends will adore.

Ingredients:

  • 4 eggs
  • 1/2 cup chopped vegetables (carrots, peas, broccoli)
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
  2. Add chopped vegetables and sauté for 5 minutes.
  3. Beat eggs in a separate bowl and add to the pan.
  4. Scramble eggs and vegetables until fully cooked.
  5. Add chopped parsley and stir.
  6. Let cool and serve to your chickens.
Two bowls of yoghurt and mashed banana on a kitchen bench with a whole banana

CHICKEN TREAT RECIPE #3

Bananas and Yoghurt Delight

Bananas and Yoghurt Delight is a healthy treat that will have your chickens clucking with delight! This simple recipe combines mashed bananas, plain yoghurt, and a touch of honey to create a refreshing and nutritious snack for your feathered friends. With a quick freeze and a little bit of patience, you can serve up this delightful treat that is sure to be a favorite among your chickens.

Ingredients:

  • 2 bananas, mashed
  • 1 cup plain yoghurt
  • 1/4 cup honey

Instructions:

  1. Mix together mashed bananas, plain yoghurt, and honey in a bowl.
  2. Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze for 2 hours.
  3. Once frozen, remove from the freezer and let thaw for 5 minutes.
  4. Scoop out and serve to your chickens.
A bowl filled with different seeds and dried fruit

CHICKEN TREAT RECIPE #4

Chicken-Friendly Trail Mix

This Chicken-Friendly Trail Mix is a delightful snack that chickens will love! This easy-to-make treat combines wholesome ingredients like rolled oats, sunflower seeds, raisins, pumpkin seeds, and chopped dried fruits, creating a delicious and nutritious trail mix for your feathered friends. Simply mix the ingredients, store them in an airtight container, and serve small handfuls to your chickens for a tasty and satisfying treat they’ll enjoy.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
  • 1/4 cup chopped dried fruits

Instructions:

  1. Mix together all ingredients in a large bowl.
  2. Store in an airtight container.
  3. Serve small handfuls to your chickens as a treat.
Small snack balls filled with mealworms and sunflower seeds in a bowl

CHICKEN TREAT RECIPE #5

Mealworm and Sunflower Seed Treats

Our Mealworm and Sunflower Seed Treats are a great source of protein to give to your chickens! This simple yet nutritious recipe combines mealworms, sunflower seeds, flour, molasses, water, and vegetable oil to create delectable treats that are packed with protein. By rolling the mixture into small balls and baking them to golden perfection, you can provide your chickens with a tasty and protein-rich snack that will keep them happy and healthy.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup mealworms
  • 1 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Mix together all ingredients in a large bowl.
  3. Roll the mixture into small balls and place on a greased baking sheet.
  4. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
  5. Let cool and serve to your chickens.
A bowl with chopped up watermelon and mint

CHICKEN TREAT RECIPE #6

Watermelon and Mint Treats

A refreshing and flavorful treat for your chickens that will please your flock’s taste buds! This simple recipe combines diced watermelon and chopped fresh mint to create a delightful snack that is perfect for hot summer days. Serve these treats to your chickens, and watch as they enjoy the juicy sweetness of watermelon paired with the refreshing aroma of mint, providing them with a delightful and cooling experience.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup diced watermelon
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

Instructions:

  1. Mix together diced watermelon and chopped fresh mint in a bowl.
  2. Serve to your chickens as a refreshing summer treat.
A freezer tray with a variety of berries and yoghurt

CHICKEN TREAT RECIPE #7

Fruity Frozen Yogurt

Delectable treats for your flock! This delightful recipe combines creamy plain yogurt, a medley of chopped fruits including strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, and a touch of honey to create a refreshing and nutritious snack for your feathered friends. With a simple freeze and a quick thaw, you can serve these fruity frozen yogurt treats to your chickens, providing them with a tasty and enjoyable experience that will keep them clucking with delight.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1/2 cup chopped fruit (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
  • 1/4 cup honey

Instructions:

  1. Mix together plain yogurt, chopped fruit, and honey in a bowl.
  2. Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze for 2 hours.
  3. Once frozen, remove from the freezer and let thaw for 5 minutes.
  4. Scoop out and serve to your chickens.
A small bowl of blueberries and mint with some almonds scattered around

CHICKEN TREAT RECIPE #8

Blueberry and Mint Salad

A healthy and refreshing treat for chickens to eat! This delightful recipe combines chopped blueberries, fresh mint, and crunchy almonds to create a flavorful salad that will captivate your feathered friends’ taste buds. Serve this vibrant and nutritious salad to your chickens, and watch as they relish the delicious combination of sweet blueberries, aromatic mint, and satisfying crunch, making it a delightful and wholesome treat for them to enjoy.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup chopped blueberries
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
  • 1/4 cup chopped almonds

Instructions:

  1. Mix together chopped blueberries, chopped fresh mint, and chopped almonds in a bowl.
  2. Serve to your chickens as a healthy and refreshing treat.
A bowl filled with sweet potato and carrot mash with some parsley on top

CHICKEN TREAT RECIPE #9

Sweet Potato and Carrot Mash

A delicious and nutritious treat for chickens to eat! This recipe combines the natural sweetness of diced sweet potatoes and carrots, roasted to perfection, with the freshness of chopped parsley to create a flavorful and wholesome mash. Once cooled and mashed, this delightful mixture becomes a scrumptious treat that you can serve to your chickens, adding variety and nutrition to their coop diet.

Ingredients:

  • 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • 1/4 cup olive oil

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Toss diced sweet potatoes and carrots in olive oil and spread out on a baking sheet.
  3. Roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until tender.
  4. Let cool and mash with a fork.
  5. Mix in chopped parsley and serve to your chickens.
A bowl of carrots and mealworms

CHICKEN TREAT RECIPE #10

Worms and Mealworms Medley

A high-protein delight for your poultry to peck! This recipe combines worms and mealworms, whether fresh or dried, with nutritious chopped carrots and flavorful parsley, creating a medley that is sure to please your chickens. Serve this protein-packed treat to your feathered friends, allowing them to enjoy the natural goodness and satisfying peck-worthy texture of this wholesome medley.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup worms and mealworms (fresh or dried)
  • 1/2 cup chopped carrots
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley

Instructions:

  1. Mix together worms and mealworms, chopped carrots, and chopped parsley in a bowl.
  2. Serve to your chickens as a high-protein treat.

Other ways to reward your chickens

In addition to treats, there are other ways to reward your chickens for their hard work. For example, you can provide them with a dust bath area where they can roll around and clean themselves. You can also offer them toys and perches to keep them entertained. And of course, spending time with your chickens and giving them attention is always appreciated.

Conclusion

Treats are a great way to show your backyard chickens how much you care. By choosing healthy and safe ingredients, feeding treats in moderation, and taking safety precautions, you can provide your chickens with a fun and nutritious way to supplement their regular diet. With these 10 irresistible chicken treat recipes, you can get creative in the kitchen and give your chickens the treats they deserve. So go ahead and spoil your feathered friends – they’ll thank you for it!

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