Treat Block vs a Hanging Veggie Holder
Boredom in a confined flock causes feather picking. Which occupation is better value, and what a treat block really costs the diet.
The short version
A hanging veggie holder with a cabbage or a bunch of greens in it is cheaper, lasts longer and adds almost nothing to the calorie load, which makes it the better everyday boredom breaker. A treat block or cake is convenient and birds love it, but it is largely grain and binder, and a flock that empties one over two days has just replaced a chunk of its balanced feed with the poultry equivalent of biscuits. Use blocks occasionally. Use greens, scratch thrown into deep litter and space to move as the routine answer to boredom.
Hanging Veggie and Treat Holder for Chickens
About $14
Check price on AmazonAt a glance
| Manna Pro Mealworm Medley Poultry Treat Cake | Hanging Veggie and Treat Holder for Chickens | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per week | Higher | Cost of a cabbage |
| Calories added | Significant | Very low |
| How long it occupies the flock | Days | Days, refillable |
| Displaces balanced feed | Yes if fed freely | Barely |
| Reusable | No | Yes |
| Counts within the treat allowance | Yes | Greens, mostly yes |
Choose the Manna Pro Mealworm Medley Poultry Treat Cake if…
A treat block is useful for a spell of bad weather when birds are shut in, or as an occasional novelty. Hang it rather than leaving it on the floor so it stays clean, and take it away once the flock has had its share for the day rather than leaving it out permanently. Count it inside the roughly ten per cent treat allowance, along with scratch and scraps, because the birds will happily eat it in preference to their feed.
Check Manna Pro Mealworm Medley Poultry Treat Cake on Amazon
Choose the Hanging Veggie and Treat Holder for Chickens if…
A hanging holder loaded with a cabbage, kale, chard or similar greens is the cheapest reliable boredom breaker there is. Hang it at head height so birds have to stretch and jump slightly, which occupies them longer. Greens are low calorie so they barely dent the balanced diet, and confined birds genuinely benefit. Combine it with scratch thrown into deep litter, a dust bathing area and enough space, which is what actually prevents feather picking.
Check Hanging Veggie and Treat Holder for Chickens on Amazon
Related
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these products side by side. Confirm current specifications and prices before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Editor's Pick · Affiliate link
An Automatic Coop Door, the Upgrade Keepers Regret Waiting On
Nearly every predator loss happens because a door was open at dusk or dawn. An automatic opener closes on a light sensor or timer whether or not you are home, which is the single biggest reduction in risk available to a small flock.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes feather picking?
Crowding is the biggest factor, followed by boredom, inadequate protein, bright constant light, external parasites and the sight of blood on another bird. It escalates quickly once it starts and can become habitual in a flock. The fixes are space, occupation, checking protein levels in the feed, treating parasites, and separating any bird that is bleeding before the others learn the behaviour.
Do chickens need a dust bath?
Yes, and it is not optional enrichment. Dust bathing is how birds control external parasites and keep feathers in condition. A dry area of loose soil or a container of dry dirt and sand under cover works. Confined birds without access to dry loose material will be more prone to mites and lice, so make sure there is somewhere that stays dry through wet weather.
How much treat food is too much?
The usual guidance is that treats of all kinds, including scratch, scraps, blocks and mealworms, should stay around ten per cent of daily intake. Beyond that the balanced feed gets diluted and you see it in shell quality and laying. Greens and low calorie vegetables are the most forgiving thing to be generous with, and they are also the ones birds will work at for longest.
Need more help with your flock?
Browse our guides by topic to find practical solutions.
Wellness Planner: $39