Does it surprise you that chickens should have treats? Other animals have their treats, special morsels, chews and bones for dogs and cats, carrots, apples, sugar lumps and mints for horses and donkeys.
We like treats ourselves, things like chocolates, cream cakes, candies - fine in moderation.
But chickens can be given treats that will help them to live healthy, happy lives.
Unlike humans, however, the treats for chickens are different and are more important for improving their nutrition and are mostly based on fruit and vegetables.
Yogurt, strangely enough is quite a favourite food of hens.
They seem to enjoy it and it is very good for their intestinal health.
It is also a good source of calcium which will contribute greatly to the structure and strength of the eggshell.
But by far the most popular treat with all chickens is a worm! They don't mess about when faced with a worm and gobble up every scrap.
Chickens, though not the most intellectual of creatures, still know their own minds about what they like or don't like to eat.
The menu items listed here are usually most acceptable to your hens but if for any reason an item is rejected, there are plenty of other items to tempt them.
Just try the next one on the list.
Happy Snacking! * Bananas: They are an excellent treat.
Bananas have a high potassium content and are good for maintaining muscle strength.
* Apples: You can feed them raw apples or even give the hens leftover apple sauce.
* Cabbage: It's a good idea to suspend largish chunks of cabbage just above head height so that the chickens get a little exercise jumping and stretching for it.
* Broccoli and Cauliflower: Push pieces of broccoli and cauliflower through the wire of the chicken coop so that the chickens can peck away at it.
* Carrots: These too can be fed to the birds either raw or cooked - either way they will enjoy it.
You can also let them have the leaves to eat, which they can enjoy instead of putting them in the compost or waste.
* Crickets: If you are so inclined you can buy crickets in a pet or bait store, but chickens normally are pretty good at hunting their own insects, which are a good protein source.
* Cucumbers: If your cucumbers are rather too mature for you to enjoy yourself your chickens will be happy to have them, as when very ripe the flesh and seeds are soft enough for them to eat easily.
* Cooked Eggs: This is another good source of protein but do not feed uncooked eggs, as this might give them a taste for eating their own raw eggs.
* Fish or Seafood: Give this very moderately or otherwise you may find the flavour of the eggs is impaired.
* Flowers: Try your chickens with nasturtiums and marigolds.
Be careful, though, and ensure that the plants haven't been sprayed with pesticides of any kind.
* Various kinds of fruit: If you have a glut of pears, cherries or peaches you could see whether these are interesting to the chickens.
They may enjoy them - no harm in trying.
* Grapes: If possible you should slice grapes as it will make it easier for the hens to pick them up.
Whole grapes tend to roll away when a chicken pecks at them.
* Lastly, Leftovers: Leftovers should be literally that.
Food left over from a meal and fed to your chickens shortly after.
Leftovers should be food that is edible, not mouldy, rotten and spoiled.
Watch that you don't give them salty foods.
You should not clear out food from your fridge because it has perhaps gone bad and then feed it to your hens.
As you can see, it is easy and inexpensive to spoil your chickens a little, with tasty titbits which provide added nutrition and interest.
Give them a treat today!