Best Treats and Kitchen Scraps to Give Laying Hens

Laying hens don’t need fancy snacks, but the right treats can boost nutrition, keep them busy, and even help with egg production. The key is knowing what actually benefits them—and what’ll just throw off their diet.

Here’s a list of healthy, safe kitchen scraps and treats your hens will love and can actually use.

Cooked Rice and Pasta

Plain, cooked rice or pasta is a solid source of carbs for your hens. It fills them up, helps keep energy levels steady, and is especially helpful in the colder months when they need extra calories.

Skip anything with heavy sauces, butter, or seasoning. You want plain, simple grains that are soft and easy to peck through. A handful here and there is plenty.

Scrambled or Boiled Eggs

It might feel weird feeding eggs to chickens, but it’s one of the most nutrient-packed treats you can give. Eggs are full of protein and amino acids, which support healthy feathers and egg production.

To avoid encouraging egg-eating, cook them first and break them up well. Scrambled or hard-boiled works great—just don’t feed them raw or in-shell.

Leftover Veggies (Except Onions and Potatoes)

Most raw or cooked veggies make great chicken snacks. Think carrots, cucumbers, squash, corn, peas, broccoli, and bell peppers. They’re packed with vitamins and add variety to their diet.

Avoid onions, raw green potatoes, and anything spoiled or moldy. And if something’s heavily seasoned or sauced, skip it. Keep it clean and as close to fresh as possible.

Fruit Scraps in Moderation

Apples (without seeds), berries, watermelon, bananas, and cantaloupe are popular chicken treats. They’re sweet and full of hydration—especially helpful during the summer heat.

Stick to small amounts and rotate what you offer. Too much fruit can mess with their digestion and cut into how much balanced feed they’re eating. Treat fruit like dessert.

Pumpkin and Squash Guts

When you’re cleaning out pumpkins or squash, save the insides for your flock. Seeds and pulp are full of vitamins and healthy fats, and chickens love pecking through them.

You don’t need to cook them—just toss them in the run. Bonus: some believe pumpkin seeds help fight off internal parasites, though the science is still out.

Cooked Oatmeal

Warm oatmeal on a cold morning is a great boost for your birds. It’s gentle on their stomachs, helps keep their weight up in winter, and you can toss in a few seeds or chopped veggies.

Make sure it’s plain—no sugar, milk, or flavoring. You’re feeding hens, not toddlers. A little goes a long way.

Corn (Fresh, Frozen, or Cooked)

Corn is high in energy, which makes it a favorite winter treat. Toss them some corn on the cob, frozen kernels, or even cooked leftovers—no salt or butter needed.

Use corn sparingly during warmer months. It’s a “hot” food that can raise their internal body temperature, which isn’t ideal in the heat.

Leafy Greens

Spinach, kale, lettuce (except iceberg), turnip greens, and beet tops are all packed with nutrients. Hang them up in the coop or toss them in a pile—they’ll go nuts.

Greens help with overall health and provide extra hydration. They’re also a great boredom buster on days your flock is cooped up inside.

Crushed Eggshells (Baked First)

Calcium is critical for strong shells, and feeding back crushed eggshells is an easy, free way to support that. Bake them at 250°F for 10 minutes to kill bacteria, then crush them into tiny pieces.

Mix them with their feed or offer them in a separate bowl. This also helps prevent soft shells and keeps them from pecking at their own eggs.

Mealworms or Grubs

If you want to go beyond scraps, dried mealworms or black soldier fly larvae are a protein-packed treat. They’re especially useful during molting season or cold snaps.

They’re not cheap, so treat them like a supplement, not a staple. A handful tossed into the run will fire up your flock and give them something fun to chase.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.