Winter Suet Cakes for Chickens

In freezing weather, a little extra fat helps chickens stay warm. These suet cakes use lard, scratch and mealworms and fit a standard suet cage.

They are a cold-weather treat only.

Why your flock will love this

• Extra energy on freezing days
• Fits standard suet cages
• Keeps hens busy

Ingredient notes

• Lard Caution

  Fatty; for cold-weather treats only.

• Scratch grains Safe

  A treat, not a feed. Keep treats under 10% of the diet.

• Rolled oats Safe

  Rolled oats are a filling winter treat.

• Dried mealworms Safe

  High-protein treat, great during molt.

See every ingredient in the safety guide

How to make Winter Suet Cakes for Chickens

Winter Suet Cakes for Chickens takes about 2 hours 25 minutes from start to finish and makes 4 cakes. It is an easy recipe. You will need a suet cage. Read through every step once before you start, and set out all the ingredients so nothing is missed.

Ingredients and why they are here

You need 4 ingredients. Each one is checked against the ingredient safety guide for chickens.

• 1 cup lard: Fatty; for cold-weather treats only.
• 2 cups scratch grains: A treat, not a feed. Keep treats under 10% of the diet.
• 1 cup rolled oats: Rolled oats are a filling winter treat.
• 1/2 cup dried mealworms: High-protein treat, great during molt.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Melt the lard over low heat. Allow about 10 minutes.
2. Stir in the scratch, oats and mealworms.
3. Press into suet trays or square containers.
4. Chill until firm. Allow about 2 hours.
5. Hang in a suet cage in the run.

Tips for success

• Only feed in freezing weather; fat spoils fast in heat.
• Hang the cage at hen head height.
• Freeze extras in parchment.

How to store it

Let everything cool completely before you pack it away, since trapped steam causes sogginess and mold. Keep it in the fridge for up to 4 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. If anything smells off or shows mold, throw it out.

How much to serve

One cake for 4 to 6 hens, a few times a week in winter.

Swaps and variations

No lard? Use rendered suet. Change one ingredient at a time so you can tell how each swap affects the texture.

Why chickens love it

Extra energy on freezing days. Fits standard suet cages. Keeps hens busy.

Feeding tips for chickens

Treats should make up no more than about 10 percent of what your flock eats, with a complete layer feed as the base. Offer treats in the afternoon so hens fill up on feed first. Provide grit and oyster shell free choice, and always keep clean water available. Remove leftover fresh food before evening to avoid attracting rodents.

Make it ahead

To save time, measure and prep the ingredients the day before and keep them covered in the fridge. Label containers with the recipe name and date so you always know what to use first. Most of the work in this recipe is hands-off, so it fits easily around a busy week.

What to watch for

A drop in egg laying often means too many treats and not enough layer feed. Watch for pasty vents in chicks and soft-shelled eggs in hens, which can point to diet problems. Isolate any hen that looks lethargic or stops eating, and call a vet who treats poultry.

Shopping list

Before you start, check that you have lard, scratch grains, rolled oats and dried mealworms. Most of it is at the grocery store; hay, pellets, feed and supplements are at pet or feed stores. Buy fresh produce close to the day you cook.

Safety notes

Lard: Fatty; for cold-weather treats only. Never add onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol or salt, and check the safety guide before trying a new ingredient with your hen. This recipe is general information, not veterinary advice.

Frequently asked questions

Do chickens need extra fat in winter?

A little extra energy helps on very cold days.

Can chickens eat lard?

Small amounts in cold weather are fine.

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