The Flock Keeper’s Guide to Treats: How to Spoil Your Birds the Right Way

There's nothing quite like the scramble of a flock running toward you when they hear the treat bag!

Treats are one of the best parts of keeping poultry. They help build trust, encourage natural foraging behaviors, provide enrichment, and make spending time with your feathered friends even more enjoyable.

But while our birds would happily eat treats all day, not all goodies are created equal!

From protein-rich insects and scratch grains to fresh sprouts and kitchen scraps, here's how to spoil your flock while keeping their nutrition on track.

The Golden Rule: Treats Are a Supplement, Not a Feed

Before we get to the fun stuff — the rule.

Treats should make up no more than 10% of your birds' daily diet. This applies to chickens, ducks, geese, and game birds alike.

This is a useful guideline for chickens, ducks, geese, and game birds, although their specific nutritional needs vary.

Why does it matter?

Complete poultry feeds are carefully formulated to provide the protein, vitamins, minerals, and energy your birds need to stay healthy.

When treats make up too much of their diet, birds may eat less of their balanced feed. Over time, that can contribute to nutritional deficiencies, weight problems, and reduced egg production.

A handful of scratch grains here and there? Perfectly fine!

Replacing a substantial portion of their daily feed with scratch grains? Not such a great idea.

The goal is to add a little fun and variety without compromising nutrition.

High-Protein Treats: The Good Stuff

Protein plays an important role in feather development, muscle maintenance, growth, and egg production.

And while your birds should receive most of their protein from a complete feed, protein-rich treats can provide some additional variety and enrichment.

Dried Mealworms

An undeniable favorite among backyard flocks!

Mealworms contain protein and fat, making them a popular treat for chickens, ducks, and many game birds.

They're especially appealing during molting season, when chickens need adequate protein to support feather regrowth.

However, mealworms are also calorie-dense, so a little goes a long way.

If your flock needs additional dietary protein, choosing an appropriately formulated complete feed is generally more effective than simply increasing treats.

BFF Tip: Scatter a small handful of mealworms around the run to encourage natural hunting and foraging behaviors.

🛒 Shop it: Non-GMO Dried Mealworms

Dried Black Soldier Fly Larvae

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are another popular poultry treat, and for good reason!

They provide protein, fat, and calcium, although exact nutrient levels vary depending on how they're raised and processed.

Their calcium content makes them an interesting treat option for laying hens, but they shouldn't replace a balanced layer feed or an appropriate calcium supplement when one is needed.

Black soldier fly larvae are also an alternative insect protein source, and some production systems use food or agricultural byproducts to raise them.

Chickens and ducks often love them, and they're convenient to keep on hand throughout the year.

Just remember that even nutrient-rich treats are still treats!

🛒 Shop it: Non-GMO Dried Black Soldier Fly Larvae

Scratch, Seeds & Foraging Blends

Sometimes the best treats aren't about adding extra nutrients. They're about encouraging your birds to do what comes naturally!

Scratching, pecking, and searching for food are important behaviors for backyard poultry.

Scratch Grains

Scratch is the classic poultry treat!

Typically made from a mixture of grains such as corn, wheat, and other seeds, scratch encourages birds to explore their surroundings while searching for tasty morsels.

It's especially fun to scatter a little through clean, dry bedding or straw.

During winter, scratch grains can provide additional calories, but there's a common misconception worth clearing up.

Scratch grains don't have any special ability to keep chickens warmer overnight compared with other feed.

Digesting and metabolizing food produces heat, but your flock's complete feed should remain its primary source of energy and nutrition, especially during cold weather.

Scratch grains are generally lower in protein and essential nutrients than complete poultry feed.

Think of scratch as entertainment with a snack included, not a meal replacement!

🛒 Shop it:

• Luxemburg's Feed Mill – Non-GMO Scratch Grains
• Heim Milling – Poultry Scratch Grains
• Green Fox Super Scratch

Black Oil Sunflower Seeds

Black oil sunflower seeds are a popular treat for many birds, including chickens and some other backyard poultry.

They're high in fat and provide a concentrated source of calories.

Their relatively thin shells make them easier for many birds to crack than thicker-shelled sunflower varieties.

You can scatter a small amount around the run to encourage foraging or mix a few into an occasional treat blend.

Because they're calorie-dense, moderation is important.

And while sunflower seeds provide some useful nutrients, they aren't a substitute for the balanced amino acids, vitamins, and minerals found in complete poultry feed.

🛒 Shop it: Snow Country – Black Oil Sunflower Seeds

Premium Bird Mix

Looking for something a little different from traditional scratch grains?

Specialty seed and grain blends can provide variety and encourage natural pecking and foraging behaviors.

Depending on the ingredients, these mixes may contain several types of seeds and grains that birds enjoy investigating.

They're especially useful for scattering around a sheltered run or adding to an enrichment activity.

Just be sure to check the product's intended species and feeding directions. Not every wild bird seed blend is appropriate for all poultry.

BFF Tip: Offer seed and grain mixes in measured amounts rather than unlimited free-choice access. Your birds still need plenty of room in their diets for complete feed!

🛒 Shop it: Heim Milling – Special Blend Premium Bird Mix, 20 lbs.

Fresh Fodder: Grow Your Own Treats

Want to try something a little different?

Growing fresh fodder can be a fun and rewarding way to offer your flock some greenery, especially during Minnesota's long winters.

Fodder is typically grown by sprouting grains or seeds, such as wheat or barley, until they develop shoots and roots.

The result is a fresh mat of greens that many poultry species enjoy pecking through.

What Makes Sprouted Fodder Interesting?

Sprouting changes the composition of grains as they germinate.

Depending on the seed variety and growing conditions, sprouting can affect certain vitamin levels, moisturWant to try something a little different?

Growing fresh fodder can be a fun and rewarding way to offer your flock some greenery, especially during Minnesota's long winters.

Fodder is typically grown by sprouting grains or seeds, such as wheat or barley, until they develop shoots and roots.

The result is a fresh mat of greens that many poultry species enjoy pecking through.

A Few Fodder-Growing Tips

• Start with seeds intended for sprouting or fodder production.
• Use clean trays and fresh water.
• Provide good drainage and airflow.
• Avoid overcrowding or keeping seeds excessively wet.
• Discard any batch showing mold, sliminess, or an unpleasant odor.
• Introduce fresh fodder gradually and offer it as a supplement.

Because sprouting involves moisture, proper hygiene is especially important to reduce mold and bacterial growth.

🛒 Shop it:

• FarmerYou Micro-Green Kitchen Grow Kit — an easy, reusable setup for growing fresh flock fodder year-round
• Urban Meadows Non-GMO Sprouting Seed Mix – Chicory, Wheat & Barley

What About Kitchen Scraps? 🥕

Not all chicken treats come from a bag! Many everyday kitchen scraps can make fun, nutritious additions to your flock's diet when offered in moderation.

Fresh fruits, vegetables, and certain plain cooked foods can provide variety while helping reduce household food waste.

But not everything in your kitchen is chicken-friendly! Some foods require special preparation, while others should be avoided entirely.

Wondering what you can safely share with your flock?

Check out our What Can Chickens Eat? The Ultimate Kitchen Scrap Safety Guide for a handy breakdown of safe fruits, vegetables, and everyday foods, plus what to keep out of the chicken run!

Treat Tips for Different Types of Poultry

Not every bird has the same nutritional needs, so treat choices and portions should reflect the species you're raising.

Ducks & Geese

Ducks and geese often enjoy leafy greens, peas, and other appropriate plant-based treats.

Because waterfowl use water to help swallow and clear food from their bills, always provide clean drinking water alongside dry treats and feed.

For ducks, water should be deep enough to allow them to submerge their bills and clear their nostrils.

Bread isn't a good regular treat for waterfowl because it provides relatively little balanced nutrition and can displace more appropriate food.

You may have heard that bread directly causes angel wing. The condition is more complicated than that, with genetics, growth rate, and nutritional imbalances potentially contributing.

The safest approach is to feed a balanced ration appropriate for the species and life stage.

Game Birds: Turkeys, Pheasants, Quail & Guineas

Game birds can have different protein and nutrient requirements than chickens, especially during early growth.

Treats such as mealworms or black soldier fly larvae may provide enrichment, but they shouldn't replace a species-appropriate complete feed.

This is particularly important for young, rapidly growing birds.

Keep portions small and choose treats appropriate for the birds' size and feeding behavior.

Baby Chicks

Baby chicks are adorable, curious, and eager to investigate new foods!

But their digestive systems and nutritional needs are different from those of adult birds.

For newly hatched chicks, a properly formulated chick starter should be the priority.

There's no nutritional need to introduce treats during their earliest weeks.

If you choose to introduce tiny amounts of appropriate treats once chicks are established and eating starter well, make sure they have access to appropriately sized chick grit when needed.

Avoid large, hard, or stringy foods that could be difficult to swallow.

And remember, treats should never interfere with the protein and nutrients growing chicks need.

Make Treat Time More Fun!

One of the best things about treats is that they can encourage natural behaviors.

Instead of always placing treats in a bowl, try:

• Scattering a small amount of scratch grains through clean, dry straw.
• Offering dried insects in a poultry-safe treat dispenser.
• Hanging leafy greens securely at pecking height.
• Hiding a few treats around a sheltered run.
• Introducing fresh fodder for your birds to investigate.

These activities encourage scratching, pecking, exploring, and problem-solving.

They're particularly useful during winter when your flock may spend more time in a smaller, sheltered area.

For even more ideas, check out our Winter Boredom Busters for Backyard Chickens guide!

The Bottom Line: Spoil Them Smart! ❤️

Treats are one of the simple joys of backyard flock keeping.

Whether your chickens come running for mealworms, your ducks love fresh greens, or your geese can't resist a little extra foraging time, sharing treats is a fun way to interact with your birds.

But the best treat routine is one that supports their health rather than replacing the nutrition they need.

Start with a quality, complete feed, keep treats to a small portion of the diet, and use snack time as an opportunity for enrichment.

At Bloomington Farm & Feed, we love helping our fellow backyard poultry keepers find nutritious feed, fun treats, and practical supplies for their feathered friends.

From dried mealworms and black soldier fly larvae to scratch grains, seeds, and sprouting supplies, we've got plenty of options to help you spoil your flock the right way.

Happy treating, and happy flock keeping! 🐔🌻

Bloomington Farm & Feed — Everything your backyard farm needs.