When it comes to keeping our hens happy and healthy, we usually think about what we should be feeding them. However, we should also highlight foods that aren't advised for chickens to consume.

Let's have a look at the foods that you should not feed your chickens with.

#1 Green Potatoes
This garden potato contains solanine, a harmful chemical that chickens should not ingest. You can, however, offer them various types of potatoes, just be sure to prepare them properly.

#2 Junk Foods
Junk foods, in general, are heavily processed and packed with chemicals that harm the health of any living creature, including chickens, in the long run. It's best not to give them these unhealthy foods as a treat by accident.

#3 Citrus
This is included in this list because giving your chickens such large amounts is not advisable. Yes, chickens can still consume citrus fruits if they want to. However, just a small amount will suffice to ensure they get the needed nutrients. Chickens also are not super interested in citrus fruits so you are better off mixing very small quantities with their regular feed. This issue with citrus fruits is that they may cause issues with calcium absorption, which is essential for egg formation and it is a mineral which preserves the sturdiness of eggshells. Citric acid, present in citrus fruits, can also change the flavor of a hen's egg, in an unfavorable way.

#4 Sweet and Salty Foods
Just like how junk foods are considered to be bad for us humans, too many sweets and salty foods can do harm to your chickens as well. Similarly, chickens can suffer from obesity due to their high sugar and salt intake, which leads to increased health concerns and their greater susceptibility to a host of illnesses. Chocolate is one of the best examples of this, since over time it can cause heart problems for chickens. But junk foods are not the only ones high in sugars. Even too many sweet fruits are not advisable.

#5 Avocado
As a result of a toxin called "persin", chickens cannot consume avocado. Both avocado pits and skins can be hazardous to chickens. Even though avocados have health advantages for humans, for chickens it's preferable to find a substitute which provides similar health benefits. A good source of fats for chickens can be any form of insects, whether live or dried and some of the most popular ones would be black soldier fly larvae and mealworms.

#6 Rotten Foods
Neither us nor our chickens are able to consume (without negative implications) or attracted to rotten food. And there's a good reason for it - rotten foods and the various molds and bacteria that form on it, make us ill. Note that fermenting foods is fine and even beneficial since fermentation is done in a controlled setting with an understanding of the type of (usually beneficial) bacteria produced.

#7 Dried and Raw Beans
Dried Beans are very harmful to chickens and not only are they dangerous, but can prove to be lethal. Dried beans, like avocado peels and pits, carry a toxin known as "phytohemagglutinin". Once ingested, the toxin spreads very rapidly so the bet thing to do is to ensure you keep any kind of dry and raw beans as far away from your chickens as possible.

Conclusion

A good rule of thumb is if anything is damaging to your health it is probably damaging to your chickens' health as well. This however cannot be applied in reverse - not everything that is good for you is good for your chickens. Their bodies work differently than ours, so before you toss your kitchen waste as a treat for your birds think about all the single components that went into it. Spend some time researching not only what you should be feeding your birds with but also what you need to avoid. After you gain some experience, you'll be able to perfectly tailor and optimize your bird's diet to support their growth and of course happiness.

It's definitely molting season again if your backyard appears to be a mess with a smattering of feathers. But don’t fret, it is a normal occurrence although it may halt egg production for a short time due to seasonal changes.

These are some effects you should pay attention to when molting season comes.

Chickens Might Feel Stressed

Chickens may feel agitated and uneasy due to sensitivity in this situation. Avoid holding them unnecessarily to avoid stress. They may not look angry or in pain, but chicken keepers have most likely noticed changes in their behavior during this period.

Decrease in Egg Production

A halt in egg production is a regular occurrence during molting season. It signifies that the molting season will start again. However, always look after the chickens, as a decline in egg-laying might lead to a potential health issue.

They'll Need more Protein

Chickens shed a lot of their old feathers during the molting season which occurs on an annual basis. However, it is better to assist them by speeding up the regrowth process. A high-protein intake helps ensure feather growth. Make sure to select a treat that they will both like consuming and will be helpful in this process. Supreme Grubs Black Soldier Fly Larvae is a high-protein treat that is high in minerals and protein throughout the molting season. Who wouldn't want a special treat during this time of year? Chickens need a nice, excellent treat to be comfortable during a season when they are generally fragile.

Conclusion

Molting season occurs naturally for chickens every year. It's nothing to be worried about, and the most important thing is that you keep observing your chicken's health during this time more closely and ensure that you support them throughout the process. Support during molting encompasses nutritional boosts with protein rich feeds or treats as well as providing an environment where they can enjoy some quiet time without too many disturbances.

Giving treats to our pet birds is one of the ways to bond with them, and it also provides some additional nutrients to ensure their well-being. It's not only about constantly rewarding them; but also about teaching them how to behave well and rewarding them for good behavior. However, we must also consider their health while selecting the appropriate treats for them. Natural and organic narrows down the options in a good way but then again, not everything natural and organic is good for your birds (or maybe it would be but birds just don't like eating it). So we are on the lookout for something naturally nutritious, beneficial to their health, and also something they would consider to be tasty.

Here are a couple of our natural bird treat favorites:

#1 Grains

Whole grains are recommended since they are readily available in any household and are beneficial to chickens. Grains are rich in fiber, carbohydrates, and a spectrum of B vitamins. Since there is a wide variety of grains, from wheat, barley and corn, their nutritional benefits are also different. Switching up the type of grain used ensures that you cover all bases when it comes to any potential nutrient deficiencies. If you are looking to add something new and experiment, you can also try fermenting your grains for an additional kick in beneficial bacteria which helps with the health of your chickens gut flora. 

#2 Fruits

Fruits are among the healthiest sources of nutrition. Strawberries and watermelon are two of the most recommended fruit treats since they are high in vitamins A, C, and B9. Chickens, ducks and any other birds love eating berries as well, and they are packed in nutrients while low in sugar. The ones to be warry of are non-pitted apples, pears, and others because of the small amount of poisonous cyanide. When it comes to citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, they are quite healthy and can be fed in small quantities but chickens tend not to like them too much unless they are mixed with some other treats.

#3 Vegetables

There is also a large variety of vegetables you can use as treats for your birds. Lettuce, broccoli, and kale are all excellent choices for greens. Vegetables, just like fruits, are fed not because they help to ensure sufficient calorie intake. They are quite a poor choice if getting extra calories in is the objective. The main reason why they are a good treat is because they cover many gaps in various micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals and others. Some vegetables to avoid would be avocado skins and pits, green potato as well as tomato and potato leaves, all of which are known to be toxic to chickens.

#4 Grubs

The list would be incomplete without some grubs. Make sure your birds get a healthy amount of proteins, vitamins, and minerals by including grubs in the diet of your birds. The two main insect larvae fed to chickens are mealworms and black soldier fly larvae. Black Soldier Fly Larvae has proven to be slightly superior to mealworms when it comes to poultry due to it being much richer in essential Calcium, as well as immuno-protective pre and post-biotics which boost your birds' immune system. This is the reason why black soldier fly larvae, aka BSF, became a much sought after treat with both those new to poultry keeping as well as experienced poultry keeping veterans. Your birds deserve only the greatest treats, so why not give them something healthy, nutritious, and environmentally friendly.

Conclusion

Treats are treats and as such should not be confused with feed, which your birds diet should mainly consist of. A standard layer feed topped with treats with 5-25% inclusion is enough to ensure your birds get both sufficient energy as well as optimum nutrients to stay active, produce plenty of eggs and maintain their health.