Feeding Treats to Chickens in Moderation: What You Need to Know

This article was very helpful. I would however like to understand how free ranging factors into the food equation.

Please can someone tell me why bugs- whether it's live bugs or ones that come in a bag, WHY are they considered a "treat" when it's all they want to eat and the processed synthetic feed is supposed to be their "food"?? Doesn't make sense and I don't agree with it.
And what exactly is considered "treats"?? My chickens won't eat any kind of pellets whatsoever or the crumble, they don't eat some of the grains and seeds in the feed bags I order, and funny thing is, the pieces my chickens won't eat the birds and squirrels won't eat them either

Okay fine. I will change how I treat. Small amount of scratch and mealworms in the afternoon instead of in the morning -- making sure they are full of good nutritious food first. Thanks for the article!

Very true, treats in moderation are best. The funny thing about chickens, you don't actually need something extra special to bond...the second you put some of their nutritious feed in your hand & hold it out for them, it is suddenly viewed as a treat. Yup, the same feed that's been available for pecking at all day, is now "Special" in your palm. Gotta love them.

A well written article on feeding treats to your chickens. The article did really well covering how treats should be fed in moderation and why. Towards the end of the article, it included a small list of healthy treats that you can feed your chickens (feeding chickens chicken kinda creeped me out, though I've heard of it before) and a list of things that should not be fed to your chickens.
(I enjoyed seeing other member's pictures in this article and them credited.)

Great treat ideas! I stick to 1 Tablespoon per bird per day as a cup of feed per day is a bit much. Keep in mind scratch is a treat too.

Now we can refer people to this comprehensive article when they ask about treats.
Another reason for moderation, that I didn’t see here, is that chickens expecting treats may refuse to eat their regular feed.(ask me how I know!) I save any treat for the end of the day after they have eaten most of their feed.

Detailed, and thanks for the info!

Now I’m off to hide the treats. From me AND the chickensQ

Good read with excellent basic advice for treating (pun intended) your flock!

Tie me up with heavy rope or chains!
I’m guilty of feeding my chooks many more treats than they should be eating. It would be my fault if they were to get sick!

Good, quick read! Been worried about giving too many treats lately as they have been able to find more and more since the snow’s finally melting.

succinct general guidelines. good work!

Please define 'treat'.
Please provide some references to recent published academic research (not youtube, not personal opinions online) that supports the advice being given here.
Thanks.

Great helpful article!