🐥 5 Safe & Fun Treats You Can Feed Baby Chicks (That They'll Love!)

Raising baby chicks is such a rewarding experience—watching them grow, explore, and yes, peep excitedly when you walk in with food! 🐣 While starter feed should always be the main part of their diet, it's okay to spoil your little fluffballs with a few treats now and then.

But not all snacks are safe for young chicks—so what can you give them?

Let’s take a look at 5 nutritious, chick-safe treats your babies will love, plus a few tips to keep treat time healthy and fun.

🥬 1. Finely Chopped Greens

Great options: Lettuce, spinach, kale, dandelion greens, silverbeet

Once your chicks are a week or so old, you can introduce small amounts of soft greens. Chop them finely or tear into small pieces they can easily peck at.

✅ Tip: Offer grit (tiny insoluble stones or chick-sized grit) whenever you feed anything other than chick starter. It helps them digest non-feed treats properly.

🍳 2. Scrambled Egg

Yes, it sounds weird—but scrambled egg is a superfood for chicks!

Eggs are high in protein and nutrients that support early growth. Serve it warm and mashed for an irresistible, healthy snack. Bonus: It’s also great for a weak or struggling chick who needs a boost.

✅ Tip: Avoid using butter, oil, salt, or seasoning—plain scrambled egg only!

🍉 3. Watermelon (in Moderation)

On a hot day, chicks love cold watermelon! It hydrates, cools them down, and is just plain fun to peck at. Cut it into small pieces or thin slices for easier eating.

⚠️ Note: Watermelon is sugary and should only be a rare treat. Think of it as a chick dessert—not an everyday snack.

🌾 4. Oats or Rolled Oats

Uncooked plain oats (not instant or flavoured) are a gentle, fibrous treat for chicks. You can mix a small pinch into their feed or sprinkle it around for scratching fun.

✅ Crushed oats or "chick starter with oats" blends are a great way to transition chicks to pecking and foraging.

🪱 5. Dried Mealworms (Chick-Sized Portions)

Mealworms are a high-protein favourite for chickens of all ages. For chicks, start with tiny amounts and make sure they’re small enough to swallow. Crush them a bit if needed.

They’re excellent for encouraging foraging behaviour and hand-feeding bonding time!

🐣 Caution: Too many can be too much protein—think of mealworms as a training treat, not a staple.

🐤 Treat Time Tips for Chicks

• 🐥 Treats should make up no more than 5-10% of their diet

• 🐥 Always provide fresh chick-sized grit if giving anything other than starter feed

• 🐥 Make sure they have access to clean, fresh water at all times

• 🐥 Introduce new treats gradually and watch for any signs of digestive upset

• 🐥 Keep it fun! Scatter treats to encourage natural scratching and pecking instincts

🐓 Final Thoughts

Treat time is a fun and enriching way to bond with your baby chicks while supporting their development. With a little care and the right options, you’ll raise happy, healthy hens that come running when they see you (especially with a handful of scrambled egg!).

Just remember: starter feed first, treats second. 🌱

– The Chook Manor Team 🐥💛