Backyard chicken keepers, especially during the winter months, often look for ways to supplement their chickens’ diet to ensure they stay healthy and productive. A homemade flock block is a great way to provide your flock with a delicious treat packed with nutrients.
Our Wisconsin winters are no joke, so when my chickens can’t get out for several months, I love to make them flock block as a way to keep them entertained and also provide them with extra nutrition.
Benefits of Key Ingredients in Flock Blocks for Chickens
Creating flock blocks with a variety of nutritious ingredients can significantly enhance the health and happiness of your backyard chickens. Here’s a breakdown of the benefits of each ingredient commonly used in flock blocks.
Scratch Grains
- Benefits: Scratch grains typically consist of a mix of cracked corn, barley, oats, and other grains that help keep chickens warm in the colder months.
- Nutritional Content: They are high in carbohydrates, providing chickens with a quick source of energy.
Mealworms
- Benefits: Mealworms are an excellent source of protein and fat.
- Protein Content: High in protein, they support muscle development, egg production, and overall growth.
- Healthy Fats: The fats in mealworms provide essential energy and contribute to healthy feather development.
- Treat Factor: Chickens find mealworms extremely tasty, making them a great treat to include in flock blocks.
Sunflower Seeds
- Benefits: Sunflower seeds are rich in fats, proteins, and essential vitamins.
- Nutritional Value: They contain vitamin E, which is important for immune function and reproductive health.
- Feather Health: The oils in sunflower seeds help maintain healthy feathers.
- Digestive Benefits: They are a good source of fiber, which supports digestive health.
Flax Seed
- Benefits: Flaxseed is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can enhance the nutritional profile of eggs. Chickens fed with flaxseed produce eggs higher in omega-3s, which are beneficial for human heart health.
- Antioxidant Properties: Flaxseed contains lignans, which have antioxidant properties. These antioxidants can boost the chicken’s immune system and protect against diseases.
- Digestive Health: Flaxseed is a good source of dietary fiber, which can aid in digestion and promote gut health in chickens.
- Anti-Inflammatory Effects: The omega-3s in flaxseed have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation in chickens, promoting overall health.
- Protein Source: Flaxseed is also a good source of protein, which is essential for the growth, maintenance, and repair of tissues in chickens.
Wheat Germ
- Benefits: Wheat germ is the nutrient-rich core of the wheat kernel.
- Vitamins and Minerals: It is high in vitamin E, folic acid, and essential fatty acids.
- Protein and Fiber: Provides additional protein and fiber to support digestion and overall health.
- Antioxidants: The antioxidants in wheat germ help protect against cell damage and support the immune system.
Ground Cinnamon
- Benefits: Ground cinnamon offers several health benefits due to its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
- Immune Support: Cinnamon can boost the immune system and has anti-inflammatory effects.
- Digestive Aid: It can aid digestion and has been known to help with respiratory issues.
- Palatability: Adds a pleasant flavor that chickens may enjoy.
Cayenne Pepper
- Benefits: Cayenne pepper is known for its ability to boost circulation and overall health.
- Immune Boost: The capsaicin in cayenne pepper has natural antimicrobial properties, which can help keep chickens healthy.
- Deterrent to Pests: Cayenne pepper can deter rodents and other pests from feed.
- Heat Production: It can stimulate circulation and help keep chickens warm, particularly in colder weather.
Red Pepper Flakes
- Natural Wormer: Red pepper flakes have been suggested as a natural dewormer for chickens. Capsaicin, the compound responsible for the heat in peppers, is thought to help expel parasites from the digestive tract.
- Enhanced Immune System: The capsaicin in red pepper flakes can boost the immune system by increasing blood circulation and stimulating the production of antibodies, helping chickens fight off infections.
- Stimulates Appetite: In colder weather, chickens may have a reduced appetite. Red pepper flakes can act as an appetite stimulant, encouraging chickens to eat more, which is especially useful during winter when they need more energy to stay warm.
Black Strap Molasses
- Rich in Nutrients: Blackstrap molasses is packed with essential minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These nutrients support various aspects of chicken health, including bone strength, blood health, and overall vitality.
- Natural Energy Boost: Due to its high sugar content, blackstrap molasses provides a quick source of energy. It can be particularly useful during times of stress, illness, or molting when chickens may require additional energy.
- Detoxification: Blackstrap molasses can act as a natural detoxifier. When mixed with water, it helps flush out toxins from a chicken’s system, making it a good remedy during or after a deworming treatment or illness.
Coconut Oil
- Boosts Immune System: Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, a fatty acid with strong antimicrobial properties. This can help protect chickens from infections and boost their overall immune system.
- Antimicrobial Properties: The antimicrobial nature of coconut oil can help balance gut flora, reducing harmful bacteria and promoting a healthy digestive tract.
- Energy Source: Coconut oil is a good source of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which are easily digestible and provide a quick energy boost. This can be especially beneficial during cold weather or when chickens are under stress.
- Nutrient-Rich Eggs: The healthy fats in coconut oil can contribute to better egg quality, including richer yolks and stronger shells, due to improved overall nutrition.
Herbs
- Benefits: Fresh herbs such as oregano, thyme, basil, and parsley offer a range of health benefits.
- Antimicrobial Properties: Many herbs have natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which can boost the immune system.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Herbs are rich in various vitamins and minerals that support overall health.
- Aromatic Benefits: The strong scents of some herbs can deter pests and provide a pleasant environment in the coop.
By combining these ingredients in flock blocks, you can create a nutritionally balanced, enjoyable, and health-promoting treat for your chickens. Each ingredient brings its own set of benefits, ensuring that your chickens receive a diverse range of nutrients, stay entertained, and maintain their overall health.
You can also customize your flock block to address any specific dietary gaps in your chickens’ regular feed, ensuring they receive a well-rounded diet.
Other Benefits of Flock Block
Mental Stimulation and Entertainment
Chickens are naturally curious creatures with a penchant for pecking and foraging. A flock block can serve as a fantastic source of entertainment, reducing boredom and promoting mental stimulation. Engaging with a flock block mimics natural foraging behaviors, which are crucial for their mental well-being. It provides a productive way to keep them occupied, especially during times when they cannot roam freely, such as during inclement weather or when confined for other reasons.
Behavioral Benefits
Flock blocks can also help mitigate unwanted behaviors within the flock. When chickens are bored, they may resort to feather pecking or other aggressive behaviors. Providing a flock block gives them a constructive outlet for their pecking instincts, reducing the likelihood of such issues. Additionally, pecking at a flock block can promote social interaction and harmony among your birds as they share in the activity.
Seasonal Benefits
During the colder months, when natural foraging is limited, flock blocks become even more valuable. They provide an essential source of nutrition and activity, helping to keep your chickens healthy and entertained when the ground is covered in snow or the temperature drops.
DIY Flock Block for Chickens
Creating your own flock blocks allows you to tailor the ingredients to meet the specific needs and preferences of your flock. Here’s a simple recipe to get you started.
Homemade Flock Block for Chickens
Homemade flock block is a great way to provide your backyard flock with a delicious treat packed with nutrients!
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Baking Pan
- Butter Knife
- Rope of twine
- Suit feeder
- 1 cup Layer Feed
- 1 cup Mealworms ( or other insect treats)
- 1 cup Scratch Grains (cracked corn or wild bird seed will also do)
- 1/2 cup Sunflower Seeds (shelled or unshelled)
- 1/2 cup Coconut Oil (melted)
- 1/4 cup Wheat Germ (or quick oats)
- 1/4 cup Ground Flax Seed
- 1/4 cup Blackstrap Molasses
- 1 tbsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1 tbsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1 tbsp Red Pepper Flakes
- 2 Whole Eggs ( including shells, crushed)
Optional
- 1 cup Oyster Shells (for added calcium)
- 1/2 cup Fresh or Dried Herbs (for added health benefits)
Preheat Oven to 375 Degrees.
In a large bowl combine all dry ingredients and stir well.
Add wet ingredients and mix until combined and sticky*.
Grease your pans and add the mixture to your chosen baking pans pressing down so your mixture is compact. It's important to compact it so it stays together.
If you plan to hang your flock back, create a hole towards the top of the block.
Bake for 30-40 minutes, depending upon the size of your baking pan.
You want the Flock Block to be hard, not spongy.
Once baked, remove from the oven to cool completely.
Use a butter knife to loosen the edges if needed.
Store the cooled flock blocks in a dry place until ready to use.
Feed your happy flock!
Place the flock block in your chicken coop or run. You can also hang it using a twine rope. These blocks provide a nutritious supplement to your chickens' regular food, especially during cold months and when they're molting.
Tips for Success
- *Bundt Cake Pan: Use a bundt cake pan to make the flock block into a fun Christmas wreath! See the below picture.
- * Stickiness: To obtain the desired stickiness, you can add more molasses or coconut oil as needed.
- Adjust for Flock Size: Depending on the size of your flock, you may need to make larger or smaller blocks. Adjust the recipe quantities accordingly.
- Favorite Treats: Feel free to add your chickens’ favorite treats to the mix, such as mealworms, dried fruits, or whole grains.
- Spicy Foods: The cayenne pepper in this recipe can help boost your chickens’ immune systems.
- Add Fresh or Dried Herbs: Fresh herbs like oregano and thyme contain powerful antioxidants and antibacterial properties. Herbs like dill and marigold can enhance the nutritional content of eggs, making them richer in vitamins and minerals.
Christmas Wreath Flock Block
Bake the ingredients in a bundt cake pan for 45-50 minutes to make the flock block into a wreath. Once it has cooled completely, use holiday ribbon to make a bow and hang it for your flock!
Making your own flock blocks is a fun and rewarding way to ensure your backyard chickens receive a variety of nutrients, especially during the colder months when their needs may increase. This new way of providing a delicious treat will be popular among your backyard flock, keeping them happy and healthy all winter long.
What questions do you have? Let me know in the comments!!
Related Post:
17 Herbs for Happy Healthy Chickens
What Not to Feed Chickens
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A Complete Guide to Feeding Your Flock
How Long Can Chickens Go Without Food?
What to Feed Chickens When Out of Feed?
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Love the recipe and adding ‘jump to recipes’ button makes it easy to go back to. My chickens are going to love this in the winter!!
🤗
Thanks for this! I definitely want to try this for my chickens this winter!
Yay! Let me know how it goes!
My ladies will be excited for this awesome treat! Great easy recipe!😁
Mine sure do love it! Let me know how your like it! 🤗
What a fun idea. Our daughter is “the chicken lady.” I’ll have to show this to her.
I’m known as the Bird Lady in my house! 😂😂
Is there an alternative if I don’t have molasses or coconut oil?
Hi Allyson! I’ve never made the recipe with any alternatives, but you could try dark corn syrup or applesauce. You could even try to make your own molasses if you’re feeling adventurous! If you try any substitutions, let me know how it goes! Good luck 🍀 ☺️
hello, I’m just reaching out because my flock blocks are coming out very spongy and I’m not sure why
Hi Selena,
My oven tends to run hot, so you just may need to cook for longer. When I make my flock block in a big Bundt pan, I sometimes have to cook for a full hour.
You don’t want it spongy, but it will have a little give until it fully cools.
Keep me posted on how it turns out!!!
thank you so much. I will keep you posted.
One more comment before I forget, how do you know when they are fully cooked?
would you recommend vacuum sealing them? will it keep them good and hard?
I have never vacuum sealed any of my flock block as it never lasts very long. 🙂 I usually make a flock block that I hang for my chickens and I allow them to peck at it until it’s gone. I have a flock of 19 birds, and it usually lasts a few days. If you plan to store some, I would suggest an airtight container in a cool place.