Chicken treats can add enrichment and encourage natural pecking and foraging, but they should stay exactly that: treats. A nutritionally complete poultry feed should remain the main part of the diet.
The British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) advises that treats should make up only a small part of what hens eat because too many extras can displace balanced nutrition.
Complete feed comes first
Commercial poultry feed is formulated to provide the energy, protein, vitamins and minerals chickens need for their life stage. If hens fill up on snacks first, they may eat less of the balanced ration.
Browse Chicken Feed & Treats for the feed, grit and enrichment products currently available through Wellbeing Pets.
Use treats for enrichment
Treats are most useful when they encourage normal behaviour. Pecking blocks, seed-based products and suitable insect treats can keep birds occupied and give them something to investigate.
Rather than tipping treats into a pile every day, consider using small amounts as part of a foraging activity. This can extend the time birds spend pecking and exploring.
Dried insects and calciworms
Dried insect-based treats are popular with many hens. They can be energy dense, so portion size still matters. They should not replace complete feed and should be offered according to the product directions.
Seeds and mixed treats
Seeds can be highly palatable but are easy to overfeed. Use them as a small extra rather than free-choice food. If hens consistently leave their normal pellets or mash but rush for treats, reduce the extras.
Greens and garden produce
Fresh garden-grown greens can provide interest for hens. However, UK rules around feeding kitchen and catering waste are strict. GOV.UK states that household kitchen waste and catering waste must not be fed to farm animals, including poultry.
This applies even when chickens are kept as pets. Do not assume that a vegetable is acceptable simply because it looks harmless if it has passed through the household kitchen.
Foods to avoid
The BHWT highlights foods that can be unsuitable or harmful, including avocado skin and stones, dried or undercooked beans, rhubarb, mouldy food and very salty food. If you are unsure about a food, leave it out and check a reliable poultry source.
Watch body condition and egg production
Too many calorie-dense treats can contribute to weight gain and nutritional imbalance. Keep an eye on body condition, feather quality, droppings, activity and laying patterns.
A change in egg production has many possible causes and should not automatically be blamed on diet, but the overall ration is always worth reviewing.
Supplements are different from treats
Complementary products such as tonics, cider-vinegar products or nutritional supplements have specific feeding directions. They should be used according to the label rather than offered casually like a snack.
See our Chicken Supplements & Tonics range for complementary poultry products.
Keep treats clean and dry
Store feed and treats somewhere dry and protected from rodents. Discard mouldy or damp products. Clean up leftovers from the run so they do not attract pests.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often can I give chickens treats?
Keep treats to a small proportion of the diet and prioritise complete poultry feed. Frequency matters less than the total amount being fed.
Can chickens eat kitchen scraps?
In the UK, household kitchen waste and catering waste must not be fed to farm animals, including chickens kept as pets.
Are mealworms or calciworms good treats?
They can be used as occasional treats or enrichment, but they should not replace a balanced complete feed.
Can I give chickens fruit and vegetables?
Suitable produce grown in the garden may be offered, but UK rules prohibit household kitchen and catering waste. Check current government guidance if you are unsure.
Further reading
Read the British Hen Welfare Trust guide to chicken treats and GOV.UK guidance on supplying and using animal by-products as farm animal feed.
This article is general poultry nutrition information and does not replace veterinary or specialist feeding advice.