What do Chickens Really Want?
Does it seem odd to you that chickens should have treats
? Other animals have their treats, special morsels, chews and bones for dogs and cats, apples, carrots, sugar lumps and mints for horses and donkeys. We like treats ourselves, things like chocolates, cream cakes, candies - fine in moderation. But chickens can be given treats that will help them to live healthier, happy lives. Unlike humans, however, the treats for chickens are very different and are more important for improving their nutrition and are mostly based on vegetables and fruit.
Yogurt, strangely enough is one of the favourite foods of hens. They seem to enjoy it and it is very good for their intestinal health. It is also an excellent source of calcium which can contribute a great deal to the strength of the eggshell.
But by far the most popular treat with all chickens is a worm! They don't mess about when faced with a worm and gobble up every scrap in record time.
Chickens, though not the most intellectual of creatures, still know their own minds about what they like or don't like to eat. The menu items listed here are usually most acceptable to your hens but if for any reason an item is rejected, there are plenty of other items to tempt them. Just try the next one on the list. Happy Snacking!
* Bananas: They are an excellent treat. Bananas have a high potassium content and will help to maintain muscle strength.
* Apples: Chickens can be fed raw apples or even given leftover apple sauce.
* Cabbage: It's a good idea to suspend largish chunks of cabbage just above their head height so that the chickens get a little exercise jumping and stretching for it.
* Broccoli and Cauliflower: Push pieces of broccoli and cauliflower through the wire of the chicken coop and then the chickens can peck away at it.
* Carrots : These too can be fed to the birds. They can be fed either raw or cooked - either way they will enjoy it. You can also let them have the leaves to eat, which they will like, instead of putting them in the compost or waste.
* Crickets: If you are wish to you can buy crickets in a pet or bait store, but chickens normally are pretty good at hunting their own insects, which are a good protein source.
* Cucumbers: If your cucumbers are rather too mature for you to enjoy yourself your chickens will be happy to have them, as when very ripe the flesh and seeds are soft enough for them to eat easily.
* Cooked Eggs: This is another good source of protein but do not feed chickens with uncooked eggs, as this might give them a taste for eating their own raw eggs.
* Fish or Seafood: Give this in very small amounts or otherwise you may find the flavour of the eggs is spoilt..
* Flowers: See if your chickens will eat nasturtiums and marigolds. Be careful, though, and ensure that the plants haven't been sprayed with pesticides of any kind.
* Various kinds of fruit: If you have a glut of pears, cherries or peaches you could see whether these appeal to the chickens. They may enjoy them - no harm in trying.
* Grapes: If possible you should slice grapes as it will make it easier for the hens to pick them up. Whole grapes tend to roll away when a chicken pecks at them.
* Lastly, Leftovers: Leftovers should be literally that. Food left over from a meal and fed to your chickens soon after. Leftovers must always be food that is edible, not mouldy, rotten and spoiled. Be sure not to give them salty foods. You shouldn't clear out food from your fridge because it has perhaps gone bad and then feed it to your hens.
As you can see, it's easy and cheap to spoil your chickens a little, with tasty titbits which provide added nutrition and interest. Why not give them a treat today!
What do Chickens Really Want?
By: Evangeline Auld
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