Every now and again, the chickens who live at The Root Farm get to indulge in an extra special, nutrient-packed treat.
These “chicken treats”, sometimes prepared by participants with Upstate Caring Partners’ Community Habilitation Program, provide the chickens with a delicious snack that are loaded with health benefits.
Here are just a few ingredients and their health benefits that promote overall wellness:
-Scratch grains & grit: mix of all different items the chickens may naturally scratch for outdoors (hence the name!) and could include corn, barley, oats, wheat and different kinds of seeds.
Grit is it’s own item that you can buy in a bag; grit aids in digestion by breaking down food in the crop and gizzard, allowing the chicken’s body to more readily digest foods and absorb the nutrients they need for survival.
-Sunflower seeds: a good source of vitamins and minerals. Chickens at The Root Farm get black oil sunflower seeds every morning as part of their breakfast!
-Oyster shell: calcium-rich pieces that help build strong bones and healthy eggshells
-Cinnamon: benefits to the GI tract as well as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
-Cayenne pepper: aids in circulation, fighting bacterial infections, and some information states it can even help prevent frostbite in the winter!
Like most treats, these are best enjoyed by our feathered friends in moderation.
There are a variety of other snacks being made at The Root Farm to keep our chickens happy and healthy. This includes vegetable and fruit popsicles in the summer months, “molting fuel” in the winter to give them extra nutrients as energy is devoted to feather growth instead of egg production, and dried mealworms as a reward at night when the chickens are put back in the coop.
Stop by The Root Farm today to pay our chickens a visit!
