Chick treats: what's safe, when to start, what to avoid.

Giving chicks treats is one of the small joys of raising them.

And it's something many people are eager to start.

But one of the most common questions I'm asked is: when is it actually safe to begin?

The good news is that there are plenty of treats chicks can enjoy. The important thing is knowing when to introduce them, what to choose, and how much to give.

Because treats should never replace a chick's main diet. They're simply an extra, to be given carefully and in moderation.

If you'd like more detail about what chicks should eat day to day, you can read my guide to feeding baby chicks here.

When can chicks start having treats?

How much is too much?

Treats should make up no more than about 5% of a chick’s diet.

As a simple guide, that's around a teaspoonful per chick every few days, and often less is better. Think of treats as something special, rather than something given every day.

It doesn't take much to tip the balance. Too many treats can quickly replace the nutrients chicks need from their starter feed, which can affect their growth and overall health.

So while it's tempting to offer a little extra, especially as chicks become more active and curious, it's best to keep treats occasional and in small amounts.

Why grit is so important.

As soon as chicks start eating anything other than their starter feed, they need access to chick grit.

Without it, they won't be able to digest their food properly, and that can quickly lead to serious problems.

Chicks raised by a mother hen will naturally pick up tiny pieces of grit as they scratch around outside. In a brooder, we need to provide that ourselves.

• Offer a good quality chick grit in a separate container. Your chicks will instinctively take what they need.

And just to be clear, this is not the same as oyster shell. Oyster shell is for laying hens and should never be given to chicks.

Lettuce: simple and surprisingly useful.

Lettuce may not sound very exciting, but it's one of my favourite chick treats.

Not only is it safe and hydrating, it can also help keep chicks entertained, especially in the brooder where boredom can quickly become a problem.

Offer a leaf whole or hang it where chicks can peck at it, and you'll often find it keeps them occupied for quite some time.

Eggs: a protein boost when it's most needed.

It may feel a little strange to feed egg to chicks, but it can be a very useful and nutritious treat.

Eggs are rich in protein, which makes them especially helpful for chicks who are weaker, smaller, or need a little extra support.

I also offer a small amount to all my chicks occasionally as they grow.

Always make sure the egg is fully cooked, never raw. You can scramble it or hard boil it, then break or mash it into small, chick-sized pieces.

As with all treats, keep it occasional. Once a week in small amounts is more than enough.

Sweetcorn: a favourite, but best in small amounts.

Sweetcorn is a popular treat with chicks, and most will go straight for it as soon as it's offered.

It contains useful nutrients and antioxidants⁽¹⁾, but it should always be given in moderation.

If you're using canned sweetcorn, check that it has no added salt or sugar. If it does, rinse it well before feeding. Defrosted frozen sweetcorn is a good alternative.

For very young chicks, it's best to chop the kernels into smaller pieces so they're easy to eat. As your chicks grow, they'll manage larger pieces without difficulty.

Sprouted seeds - an inexpensive, homemade chick treat.

Sprouted seeds are a healthy, inexpensive treat that chicks can enjoy at any time of year⁽²⁾.

They're especially useful in colder months, when fresh greens can be harder to come by.

I often use sprouted lentils, keeping them quite short so they're easy for young chicks to eat.

If you'd like to try sprouting your own, I've put together a simple guide showing how to  sprout seeds, step by step.

Sunflower seeds: nutritious, but use sparingly.

Sunflower seeds can be a healthy treat for chicks, as they're rich in nutrients and provide a useful boost as they grow.

However, they're also quite high in fat, so it's important to offer them only in small amounts.

For young chicks, the seeds should always be chopped into small pieces. Whole seeds are too large for them to manage.

If you're buying sunflower seeds, choose good quality brands, free from additives. Black seeds tend to have a higher nutritional value than striped varieties⁽³⁾.

As with all treats, offer them occasionally rather than regularly. A small amount once a week is more than enough.

If you'd like to know more about the benefits of sunflower seeds and how to use them with your flock, I've covered that in more detail here.

Fruit and veg: healthy in moderation.

Chicks can enjoy a variety of fruit and vegetables, and they're often a healthy and enjoyable treat.

Soft, ripe foods like watermelon can be offered in small pieces or left for chicks to peck at, while anything firmer is best chopped, grated, or finely cut so it's easy to eat.

Over time, you’ll discover your chicks' favourites. Mine have always especially enjoyed strawberries, grapes (cut up), apples, cucumbers, and watermelon.

Fruit can be especially useful in warmer weather. Watermelon, for example, is not only nutritious but also helps keep chicks hydrated.

As with all treats, it's important to keep portions small. Although high in vitamins and antioxidants⁽⁴⁾, fruit in particular contains natural sugars, so it's best offered occasionally rather than every day.

If you'd like more detail about feeding fruit safely, including which parts to use, take a look at my guide to feeding watermelon to chickens.

Worms and bugs: a natural favourite.

Chicks raised by a mother hen will quickly learn to eat worms and insects as she introduces them to the world outside.

Insects like mealworms and crickets are a natural source of protein, and one of the foods baby chicks always instinctively enjoy^{(5, 6)}.

If you're raising chicks yourself, offering small worms or insects by hand can be a good way to mimic that natural behaviour, and make your chicks ultra-friendly as they grow.

However, it's important to be careful with quantity.

Foods like mealworms are high in both protein and fat, and too much can unbalance a chick's diet. For that reason, I avoid giving mealworms to very young chicks and only introduce them in small amounts once chicks are a little older.

If you do offer them, as usual keep portions small and occasional. Chopping them into smaller pieces can make them easier for young chicks to manage.

I’ve written more about feeding mealworms safely here.

What not to give chicks as treats.

It's as important to know what not to feed chicks as it is to know what's safe.

Some foods can be difficult for chicks to digest, while others can be harmful or even dangerous.

One of the most common problems is giving too many treats. Even healthy foods can cause issues if they replace the balanced nutrition chicks need from their starter feed.

There are also certain foods that should be avoided altogether. Long grass clippings, for example, can cause problems with digestion, and oyster shell should never be given to chicks.

For a list of five foods that chicks and adult chickens should never eat, read my guide here.

The simplest rule is this: keep treats small, simple, and occasional, and let their regular feed do most of the work.

Quick questions about chick treats.

Learn more about caring for chicks.

Sources.

A lot of "facts" you'll find on the internet are often people's individual views, often based on inaccurate information repeated from poor quality sources.

The information I provide in this article and others is based not just on my own experience, but on evidenced facts from scientific, peer-reviewed research and evidence from highly respected and experienced poultry keepers such as Gail Dammerow.

Some of the sources I have used are these - click the link to read the full document:

1. Dewanto et al: Processed Sweet Corn Has Higher Antioxidant Activity. Pub. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2002.

2. Chandler, B: The nutritional benefits of sprouted lentils. Pub Livestrong, 2016.

3. Jacob, Dr J: Using sunflower seed in organic poultry diets. Pub. University of Kentucky, 2014.

4. Ahmed, H: Nutritional value of watermelon seed meal for chicks. Pub Animal Production Food Research Centre, 2004.

5. Loftin, Professor K: Biology and Management of the Lesser Mealworm in Poultry Operations. Pub. University of Arkansas, Department of Agriculture, 2014.

6. Lundy, ME and Parrella, MP: Crickets Are Not a Free Lunch. Pub. Plos Pathogens, 2015.