A frozen chicken treat to help combat heat stress in your flock.

No, I'm not talking about a chicken salad – I'm talking about a salad treat for chickens!

Chickens' summer frozen treat. Pin for later.

Did you know that chickens don't do well in the heat?

They cope surprisingly well with cold weather. After all, they're wearing a feather duvet!

The problems come when temperatures soar. That's when your flock relies on you to help keep them comfortable and reduce the risk of heat stress..

There are several ways to help, and one of the easiest and most effective is to offer frozen treats.

Summer often brings a glut of fruit and vegetables, so there are plenty of ingredients you can freeze for your hens.

But freezing everything separately can be fiddly, and your chickens will soon lose interest if they always get the same thing.

This simple recipe for a frozen chicken treat is the ultimate answer.

It uses up fruit and veg which you may not want to use for human salads for one reason or another. Perhaps it's overgrown, blemished or just slightly past its best. For example, I often use zucchini which are overgrown and tasteless, or windfall apples with a few worm holes (because, of course, that's a chicken's idea of heaven!).

So it's very inexpensive, yet healthy for your hens.

It takes just a few minutes to prepare, freezes beautifully and gives your flock a healthy, cooling treat that's as enriching as it is refreshing.

🪶 Featherlight Takeaways.

Quick insights from this article: especially helpful if you're looking for an easy way to help keep your chickens cool during hot summer weather.

Frozen treats can help keep chickens cool and encourage them to stay hydrated.

Use overgrown or slightly blemished fruit and vegetables instead of throwing them away.
Mix different ingredients together to make treats more interesting for your flock.
Always provide plenty of fresh, cool drinking water as well as frozen treats.

What you'll need.

You don't need any special equipment.

Any kind of large-ish tin is fine. Don't use small containers like muffin pans – the treats will melt too quickly.

I usually use loaf tins or jelly (Jell-O in the US) moulds, but my all-time favourite is this bundt tin ^(ad). It's incredibly versatile and produces a large frozen treat that keeps my flock busy for much longer.

Bundt pan with vegetables ready to be made into a frozen salad treat for my chickens.

My Bundt pan has lots of uses, including my frozen salad chicken treat.

In winter I use the same tin for my high protein treats, threading a thin rope through the centre so I can hang them up.

I never hang these frozen treats, though. My chickens are already working hard to stay cool. They don't need to work even harder for their treats!

What ingredients are in a frozen chicken treat?

Almost anything your chickens can safely eat.

The idea is to keep your flock both cool and hydrated, so I mostly choose fruit and vegetables with a high water content.

I use fruit and veg I have in my store cupboard or fridge which I don't want to use for our own meals. Soft tomatoes, slightly tired cucumbers and windfall apples all work well.

I then add in any other veggie or fruit treats I have available – often it's frozen peas. On this occasion I added a tin of unsalted sweetcorn because it adds colour as well as variety.

A frozen veggie treat for chickens including some sweetcorn.

To add a bit more variety I sometimes include crushed eggshells from my kitchen container, chopped hard-boiled egg (and no, it won't encourage egg eating!) or a few mealworms.

Don't worry – I keep separate tins for chicken treats and family meals!

What not to use...

I only use fruit and vegetables that are still safe to eat. Anything that's mouldy, rotten or spoiled goes straight into the compost or food waste bin, never into my chickens' treats.

If you're unsure about a particular food, see my guide to foods chickens should never eat before adding it to the mix.

How to make it.

It's not rocket science...

Put your chosen fruit, vegetables and other treats into the tin.
Mix them gently so the different ingredients are spread throughout. (The colourful result is probably more satisfying for me than for my chickens!).
Pour in enough water to almost reach the top of the tin.
Freeze until completely solid.
To remove the frozen treat, hold the outside of the tin under cold running water for a few seconds until it loosens.
Place it somewhere shady, and let your flock enjoy it.

🐥 A note from my flock.

The best part of all this is watching what happens once I take the frozen treat out to the run. My hens don't just peck at the fruit and vegetables, they'll happily stand in the icy water as it melts, which seems to help them cool down on the hottest days.

I always put the treat somewhere shady, usually on a paving slab or patch of grass. It keeps the food cleaner than placing it directly on the ground and gives the melting ice somewhere to collect.

And finally, during really hot weather I'll often give my flock one treat in the late morning and another in the early afternoon.

Some of my flock tucking into one of their frozen salad treats in the heat of an Italian summer.

That's really all there is to it!

I often ring the changes by making an all-fruit version, or using different tins to create different shapes.

A frozen salad treat for chickens on a hot summer's day.

Ring the changes with an oblong frozen treat! This one's made in a bread tin.

To be honest, I don't think my chickens mind what shape it is. As long as there's something tasty frozen inside, they're perfectly happy!

My flock of chickens enjoying a frozen treat.

My chickens line up to get to their welcome frozen treat!

Remember: Frozen treats are a great way to help your chickens during hot weather, but they should always be offered alongside plenty of fresh, cool drinking water and a shady place to escape the sun.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Can chickens eat frozen fruit?

Yes, as long as it's not mouldy. Full of vitamins and low in fat, they're an excellent choice as a healthy treat and freezing them helps make sure chickens are cool and hydrated.

Be sure the fruits are pesticide-free, and don't include apple pips.

Can I freeze vegetables for chickens?

Yes. Like fruit, vegetables are an excellent source of vitamins, and many can boost egg quality and strengthen their immune systems. Freezing them in hot weather helps chickens stay hydrated as well as cool.

But moderation matters. A chicken's main diet should still come from a balanced feed, with vegetables as nutritious extras, not replacements.

How often can I give chickens frozen treats?

In hot weather, when temperatures where I live can reach 44ºC (111ºF) I often give my flock a frozen block twice a day.

Be sure to clear away any leftover fruit or veg before the chickens roost, otherwise the remains may attract rodents.

Do frozen treats help prevent heat stress?

Yes, but they should always be offered alongside plenty of fresh water, shade and good ventilation. Watch your flock for signs of heat stress and take extra steps if temperatures become extreme.