{"id":95144,"date":"2022-02-08T13:00:16","date_gmt":"2022-02-08T18:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hobbyfarms.com\/?p=95144"},"modified":"2022-04-21T09:14:43","modified_gmt":"2022-04-21T13:14:43","slug":"5-treats-to-keep-your-backyard-chickens-happy-healthy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hobbyfarms.com\/5-treats-to-keep-your-backyard-chickens-happy-healthy\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Treats To Keep Your Backyard Chickens Happy & Healthy"},"content":{"rendered":"

M<\/span>y family and I wanted chickens for years, but it never seemed like the right time. Once the spring of 2020 rolled around and all travel plans were canceled, we decided to get our own flock established. We were all home more than ever before and finally had the time to invest in such a project\u2014including making and serving tasty treats for a new flock of chickens.<\/span><\/p>\n

We live just outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and our home is in a residential area, which limits the number of chickens we can have. The city ordinance only allows three hens and no roosters (unless your neighbors don\u2019t complain, which they did).<\/p>\n

So, we have three hens\u2014an Easter Egger, a Gold Star (a hybrid between a Light Sussex and Rhode Island Red) and a California White.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

All breeds were decided upon by what their adult weight would be (our space is limited) and by their cold hardiness (we often get negative winter temperatures). Between the three hens, we get nearly 800 eggs per year, which is more than enough for our small family. <\/span><\/p>\n

With 800 eggs, we always have enough extra to share with family, neighbors and friends.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Personality Plus<\/h2>\n

Before owning our small flock, I had no idea that chickens had such personalities. Even from the first day they hatched, they had distinct personality traits.<\/p>\n

Phyllis was the sweet, most lovable chick. Smarty Pants was much smarter than the others (she was born one day earlier, and it showed). And Little B. was\u2014well, you get the point. They\u2019ve become a part of our family.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I enjoy their \u201chelp\u201d in the gardens and their silly chicken antics. Smarty Pants loves to sneak into my landscaped mulched areas when I\u2019m not looking and scratch around, even though she knows it\u2019s off limits to her. Little B. loves to hop up the ladder of my daughter\u2019s swing set and take in the view from the highest points, and Phyllis loves to walk into my gardens and take a quick bite here and there of my kale, chard, broccoli and cauliflower. <\/span><\/p>\n

Phyllis thinks she\u2019s being sneaky, but the truth is that I don\u2019t mind one bit and am happy to share.<\/span><\/p>\n

I especially enjoy early mornings in the summer with them, before the sun rises and heats up everything. I let them out of their poultry pen, and they tour the gardens with me, while I enjoy a mug of coffee. Those mornings are my favorite.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Five of my favorite treats follow that we occasionally make for our adult chickens. Please note that treats are to be given in moderation, and hens shouldn\u2019t have more than a couple tablespoons of treats per day.<\/p>\n

\n

Read more: Here are some more tasty treats that also encourage engagement in the coop.<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Treat 1: <\/b><\/span>Leftovers<\/b><\/h2>\n

Whenever we cook up a batch of organic rice, I always reserve a little for the hens. Then I mix in whatever chicken-friendly scraps I have and add whichever produce I need to use up, such as grated zucchini, chopped kale, chard or other leafy greens.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I continue adding in whatever I have on hand\u2014unsalted nuts or seeds, chopped apples, mashed bananas or other fruit\u2014and then I mix in some herbs. My hens especially enjoy oregano.<\/p>\n

I stir it all together and top it off with some dried mealworms or dried fly larvae and some oyster shells. There is no measuring required for this recipe, just a little of this and little of that, and our chickens adore the yummy treats. Plus, it\u2019s a great way to get rid of some kitchen scraps.<\/p>\n

Treat 2: <\/b><\/span>Fruit & Veggie Garland<\/b><\/h2>\n

Celebrate the holidays with your hens or celebrate \u201cjust because.\u201d Start with good strong string or wire. Then find a tool to push through the fruit and vegetables. I made a large needle out of wire, but a screwdriver or large sewing needle would work as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tie a knot in the string with at least a 6-inch tail and begin threading a variety of chicken-safe fruits and vegetables onto the garland. Cut larger produce into 2- to 3-inch chunks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep the garland 18 inches or shorter so that it doesn\u2019t get too heavy, then tie another knot, leaving at least a 6-inch tail. Attach the garland to the chicken wire\/fencing, and watch the hens enjoy their special treat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Be sure to keep an eye on the hens while they eat, and remove the string\/wire once they are finished snacking. String is unsafe for chickens to consume.<\/p>\n

Garland ingredients your chickens will love include treats such as Brussels sprouts, grapes, apples, zucchini, cucumber, lettuce, squash, strawberries or watermelon.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Treat 3: <\/b><\/span>Suet Treat<\/b><\/h2>\n

For this homemade treat, use the following.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ingredients<\/b><\/h5>\n