Poultry Treats: How to Choose the Right Ones and Feed Them Correctly

Treats can be a fun and rewarding part of caring for your flock, but they should make up no more than 10 to 15% of a chicken’s daily diet. The best poultry treats complement a balanced poultry feed program rather than replace it. In general, treats should be offered only to chickens that are at least 7 weeks old. Choosing nutritious treats and feeding them in moderation can help support flock health, egg production, and overall performance while strengthening the bond between you and your birds.

When your flock greets you like a celebrity every time treats appear, it can be tempting to throw out just a little more. However, when it comes to feeding chickens, the old saying “if a little is good, more is better” does not apply. In fact, overfeeding treats can negatively impact the nutrition your birds receive from their complete chicken feed and may affect egg production, feather quality, and overall health.

Fortunately, treats and balanced nutrition can work together. The key is understanding which treats to offer, how much to feed, and how to ensure your birds continue receiving the nutrients they need from a quality poultry feed.

What Counts as a Treat for Chickens?

A treat is anything you feed your birds that is not their complete poultry feed, grit, or oyster shell.  

Common chicken treats include:

• Mealworms
• Berries and other fruits
• Vegetables
• Insects
• Scratch grains
• Safe kitchen scraps
• Garden leftovers

It is important to note that grit and oyster shell are not treats.

Grit helps break down foods in their digestive tract, while oyster shell provides supplemental calcium for laying hens. If your chickens have access to anything besides pellets or crumbles, including treats, pasture, or scratch grains, grit should always be available free choice to support proper digestion.

While treats can add enrichment and variety to your flock’s day, they should never replace a complete poultry feed formulated to provide balanced nutrition.

Why Is Complete Poultry Feed So Important?

Whether you feed a layer feed, all flock feed, or another complete chicken feed, these products are carefully formulated to provide the right balance of nutrients in every bite.

Quality poultry feed contains:

• Protein to support growth and production
• Vitamins and minerals for overall health
• Amino acids for feather and muscle development
• Energy to support daily activity and egg production
• Calcium and phosphorus for strong bones and eggshells

When chickens fill up on treats, they often eat less of their complete feed. Over time, this can dilute the carefully balanced nutrition they need to thrive.

Think about it this way: treats are like dessert. They can be enjoyable additions to the diet, but they should not replace a nutritious meal.

The foundation of flock health should always be a complete, balanced poultry feed designed for your birds’ life stage and production goals.

What Happens When Chickens Get Too Many Treats?

An occasional extra treat is unlikely to cause problems, but consistently filling up on treats instead of quality poultry feed can lead to nutrient gaps over time. Because chickens tend to eat treats first, they may consume less complete feed and miss key nutrients needed for egg production, feather maintenance, and overall health.

When chickens consume too many treats, flock owners may notice:

• Reduced egg production
• Poor eggshell quality
• Feather pecking
• Egg eating behavior
• Poor feather condition
• Less efficient food utilization
• Reduced overall performance

The good news is that these issues are often preventable. By focusing on a quality poultry feed program and offering treats in moderation, flock owners can enjoy treat time without compromising on nutrition.

Can Treats Provide More Than Just a Reward?

Treats do more than make your chickens happy. They create opportunities for enrichment, help encourage natural pecking and scratching behaviors, and can make routine flock management easier by bringing birds together quickly.

Today’s flock owners are also looking for treats that offer more than simple enjoyment. Instead of choosing treats based solely on what chickens love to eat, many backyard poultry keepers want options that complement their flock’s goals, whether that’s maintaining strong egg production, supporting feather condition, or helping birds navigate periods of stress.

That is where purpose-driven treats can play a role. Rather than serving as empty calories, these products are designed to fit into a balanced poultry feed program while helping flock owners target specific needs within the flock.  

Feed Treats with a Purpose

The Nutrena® NatureWise® TidBits® lineup was created to give flock owners more intentional treat options. While complete poultry feed remains the primary source of nutrition, NatureWise TidBits allow you to reward your birds while supporting areas that matter most to their health and performance.

NatureWise® TidBits® Healthy Eggs

Egg production places significant nutritional demands on laying hens. NatureWise TidBits Healthy Eggs are designed for birds in production and help support both egg production and feather regrowth. They offer flock owners a way to reward laying hens while staying aligned with their production goals.

NatureWise® TidBits® Immunity Support

Backyard flocks regularly encounter stressors ranging from seasonal weather changes to introducing new birds. NatureWise TidBits Immunity Support help support healthy immune function and can be a valuable option during periods when birds may experience additional environmental challenges.

NatureWise® TidBits® Feather Vibrancy

Feathers help protect birds from the elements and are essential for comfort and appearance. During molting or periods of feather loss, NatureWise Feather Vibrancy helps support feather regrowth and maintain full vibrant plumage.

Why Choose Purpose-Driven Treats for Your Flock?

Many chicken owners appreciate having treats that align with their goals they have for their flock. Instead of choosing between rewarding birds and supporting flock wellness, purpose-driven treats allow both.

Whether you’re caring for productive laying hens, helping birds recover from a molt, or simply looking for an engaging reward your flock will come running for, NatureWise TidBits provide a convenient way to make treat time more meaningful.

As with all treats, remember that moderation matters. For the best results, treats should complement a complete poultry feed program, not replace it.

Three Great Treat Options for Chickens

Treat time does not have to be complicated. Some of the best treats are simple, nutritious, and easy to offer.

Mealworms

Mealworms are consistently one of the most popular treats among backyard flocks.

Chickens love chasing them down, making mealworms a great way to encourage activity and engagement. They are also a favorite reward when spending time training or handling birds.

As with any treat, moderation is key.

Berries and Other Fruits

Fresh fruit can provide a fun change of pace for your flock.

Popular options include:

• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Blackberries
• Watermelon
• Grapes

Fruit can be especially freshening during warmer months and offers chickens an opportunity to peck, forage, and explore.

Scratch Grains

Scratch grains have long been a favorite poultry treat.

Many flock owners enjoy scattering scratch grains in the run or bedding to encourage natural scratching and foraging behaviors. This can provide both environmental enrichment and entertainment for your birds.

Just remember that scratch grains are considered a treat, not a complete chicken feed. They should be fed as an occasional supplement alongside a balanced poultry feed program.

Seasonal Treat Ideas for Your Flock

Offering seasonal treats can help add variety throughout the year.

Spring

• Fresh leafy greens
• Lettuce
• Herbs from the garden

Summer

• Watermelon
• Cucumber
• Berries

Fall

• Pumpkin
• Squash
• Pumpkin seeds

Winter

• Small amounts of scratch grains
• Mealworms
• Chopped vegetables

Regardless of the season, treats should still remain a small portion of the overall diet. Your birds’ nutritional needs remain the same year-round, which makes a quality poultry feed the most important part of every feeding program.

How Much Should You Feed?

A simple guideline is to keep treats to no more than 10 to 15% of your flock’s daily intake.

One of the easiest ways to manage treats is by following the 15-minute rule.

The 15-Minute Rule

1. Choose a treat your flock enjoys
2. Offer only what the birds can clean up within 15 minutes
3. Feed treats once per day at most
4. Ensure a complete poultry feed remains their primary source of nutrition

This method helps flock owners enjoy treat time while maintaining appropriate nutrition levels for their birds.

You can still be the hero who brings the goodies. The difference is that you are doing it in a way that supports long-term health and performance.

Treats can be an important part of flock ownership when used thoughtfully. They encourage natural behaviors, help build trust with your birds, and add variety to the day. The key is choosing treats that fit into a balanced feeding program and offering them in appropriate amounts.

By combining a quality feed with nutritious, purpose-driven treats such as NatureWise TidBits, you can reward your flock while supporting their health, productivity, overall well-being.