Everyone loves to spoil their beloved pets with good food and treats and ex-commercial hen owners are no different. We love to pamper our hens with chicken treats, and they especially love it when they have access to fresh fruit and veg from the garden. The list of things you could give your hens is endless – but it shouldn’t be. As with us humans, sometimes too much can be a bad thing – it’s all about moderation.
The main thing to keep in mind is that chicken feed is specially formulated with a hen’s nutrition in mind. As soon as you give them treats or snacks, you are replacing that nutrition. The best way to treat your hens is to keep treats as healthy as possible but even excessive healthy treats can cause issues. These include obesity, reduced egg production, vent prolapse, feather-picking and increased risk of heart problems.
A simple guide to chicken treats
This simple guide will explain the best treats for your hens, and what to steer clear of. First things thing, it is important to remember that chicken treats should make up only a tiny part of your hens’ diet – no more than 5%. Obesity in hens can lead to some severe health problems which are not only stressful for her, but also for you.
It’s good to get some healthy greens in your hens’ diet and they can be put up with fun feeders like boredom busters to make it exciting for your flock! Just be aware that, even if you live in a vegan household, it is illegal to feed your hens food which has passed through your kitchen due to the risk of cross-contamination and disease.
One way of getting around this is to buy food specifically for your hens, such as cabbage, and take it straight into the garden when you get home, therefore bypassing the kitchen area. Of course, if you are green fingered and have lots of fruit and veg growing in your back, it’s fine to pick these and give them straight to your hens. For more information on this, visit the APHA website.
There are good quality treats designed specifically for hens which can be beneficial if fed correctly. Visit our online shop for a full range of chicken treats your girls will love.
Chicken treats available from our shop
Our partner Natures Grub have created a range of products to support your hens’ health, from popcorn and cookies to herbal tonics and probiotics.
Their Biotic Boost supplement is made from high quality seed meals including linseed, hemp, pumpkin and sunflower which are naturally rich in Omega 3, 6 and 9. They are made up of healthy fatty acids critical for the proper growth and development of hens and play essential roles in supporting the nervous system, brain and eyes. Furthermore, these oils promote healthy skin and feathers and support the immune system which in turn keeps the heart healthy and supports egg production.
A huge thank you goes to Natures Grub not only for their ongoing support of the British Hen Welfare Trust for several years, but also for providing yummy chicken treats for our volunteers’ One Millionth Hen parties happening around the country in 2024. Our feathered party members enjoyed the Fruit & Berry Treat Mix, Fruit & Berry Popcorn Treat and the Garlic, Herb & Seaweed Popcorn Treat.
Foods to avoid
There are many treats to avoid feeding to your hens due to their toxicity which could cause your hens to get ill or in some cases prove fatal. These treats include:
- Avocado pits and skins which are toxic to hens as they contain persin
- Undercooked or dried beans can be harmful as they contain hemagglutinin, which can inhibit the digestion of everything your hens eat
- Rhubarb contains anthraquinones, which can have a laxative effect in hens. Rhubarb damaged by the severe frost can also contain a high concentration of oxalic acid, which can be fatal to hens
- Mouldy, rotten and very salty foods can also result in excessively wet faeces and may be toxic
