What Treats Do Roosters Like Best?

Roosters have an important role in the hen house as this bird watches over the flock and keeps an eye out for danger. Reward your rooster for all its hard work and keep it happy by giving him treats. Many of these favorite foods will not only be a tasty snack, but they will also provide nutrition and mental stimulation.

  1. Live Insects

    • Roosters love to play with their food, so a live insect is a favorite treat among the birds. Visit the pet store or hunt around your own yard to collect meal worms and crickets. These bite-size critters are loaded with protein, which is nutritious for the rooster. Let them loose in the coop and watch your rooster go wild. He will enjoy the tasty meal and the mental stimulation of the chase.

    Table Scraps

    • Whether they provide nutrition or not, table scraps are a favorite treat for many roosters. Almost any of this "people food" will be gobbled up by the bird, including pasta, cereal, beans, salad and bread. Just make sure the rooster isn't fed large amounts of salt, raw potato peels or chocolate, all of which may be hazardous to its health. Finally, avoid giving the bird scraps of chicken meat.

    Fruits and Vegetables

    • They may be healthy, but fruits and vegetables are also beloved treats by many roosters. Mushy bananas or crunchy carrots provide interesting textures the bird doesn't find in his normal feed. Additionally, these foods provide nutrition. For example, bananas are high in potassium, which helps the bird's muscle activity. Give your rooster some mental stimulation along with the treats by attaching the food to the side of the coop and allowing him to tug off pieces.

    Yogurt

    • While it may seem unlikely, yogurt is a favorite treat for roosters. Serve him yogurt in a bowl or make him work for the food by poking holes in a lid that the rooster must peck through to get his treat. Find a flavor with fruit chunks that he can pick out and enjoy. Additionally, many pet stores sell solid yogurt snacks you can give your rooster. Yogurt provide nutritional benefits, too. For example, calcium supports strong bones.