Healthy Winter Treats For Chickens

Winter can be long and hard for chickens, but you can make it a little bit easier for them to handle. Here are some healthy winter treats you should feed your chickens.

I love winter, but for chickens, it can be hard without all the fresh food available. Over the winter I give them treats that I normally wouldn't give them.

When feeding your chickens over the winter you want to give them food that is high in protein and energy. All of the below treats will help your chickens get through the winter.

Scratch Grains

My number one winter treat for chickens is scratch grains. Scratch grains give chickens lots of energy which helps them stay warm.

I like to give my chickens scratch grains right before nightfall because it helps them stay warm overnight. I also throw the grains in their bedding encouraging them to scratch around.

If you use the deep litter method the grains might even sprout in the bedding giving them something green to eat.

Fermented Feed

Fermenting chicken feed or scratch grains increases the nutrition. Fermented chicken feed is easier to digest and my chickens absolutely love it!

If you ferment scratch grains it can also help you stretch your supply. To ferment feed all you need is feed and water. You can read more about fermenting chicken feed here.

Sunflower Heads

I plant sunflowers in my garden to attract birds and beneficial insects, but I also give them to my chickens. I harvest the whole sunflower heads and dry them.

I then store the dried sunflower heads for winter and occasionally give them to my chickens. They love to pick all the sunflower seeds out and eat them.

Mealworms

Mealworms are full or protein and chickens go crazy for them. You can buy mealworms online right here.

I like to give my hens mealworms but they are pricy. If you have a worm farm like mine you can also give them fresh earthworms which are also filled with protein.

Black soldier fly larvae is also another high protein treat your can offer your chickens, and my chickens love them the same.

Apple Cider Vinegar

ACV is full of probiotics and can boost your chicken's immune system which they need during the winter. I incorporate ACV into my chicken's water.

For chickens, mix two tablespoons of ACV per gallon of water. My chickens love the flavor of ACV water and they always rush out to drink it.

If you want the full health benefits make sure to by ACV that has the mother in it. The mother is where all the beneficial probiotics come from.

You can find ACV with the mother right here.

Garlic

Garlic is another immune boosting treat your can give chickens. I used to stay away from garlic because I thought it would make their eggs taste weird.

I have since learned that chickens have to eat tons of garlic for this to happen. I now just chop up fresh garlic cloves and throw them in my chicken's water dish.

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper may not help your chickens lay eggs, but it will keep them warm. The capsaicin in cayenne peppers improves circulation causing your hens to feel warmer.