Can Chickens Eat That? The Master List of Safe & Unsafe Foods for Chickens

Chickens are delightful creatures with a fascinatingly diverse diet. As omnivores, they consume a wide range of food items, from grains and vegetables to fruits and insects. However, not all human foods are safe for chickens to consume. Certain foods can be toxic or even fatal to these feathered friends, making it crucial for poultry keepers to know what to feed and what not to feed their chickens.

Choosing the Right Food for Chickens

First and foremost, a balanced, commercial chicken feed should form the basis of your chicken’s diet. These feeds are specially formulated with the correct ratio of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals that chickens need for optimal health and egg production.

However, chickens also love variety in their diet. Offering kitchen scraps and garden produce can not only reduce your food waste but also provide your chickens with an enjoyable dietary supplement.

Garden Goodness

Many items from your garden are excellent for chickens. They love to peck at leafy greens, peck at fruits, and scratch around for insects. However, not everything growing in your garden is safe for chicken consumption.

What to Avoid from the Garden

Some garden produce can be harmful to chickens. For instance, leaves from the nightshade family (which includes plants like potatoes and tomatoes) are toxic to chickens. Green-skinned potatoes and uncooked beans are also potentially lethal to your feathered friends.

While you might be tempted to let your chickens feast on all garden scraps, it’s best to avoid the following:

• Green Potatoes and green potato skins
• Tomato Leaves and tomato plants
• Onions
• Potato Leaves
• Rhubarb and Rhubarb Leaves

Safe Garden Treats for Chickens

There are plenty of garden goodies that are safe and healthy for chickens. Most fruits and vegetables, for instance, are excellent treats. Chickens particularly enjoy:

• Ripe tomatoes
• Squash and pumpkin, along with their seeds
• Cucumbers
• Sweet corn and corn on the cob
• Apples (avoid the seeds, though, as they contain cyanide)

Kitchen Scraps for Chickens

The kitchen is another great source of chicken treats. However, just like with garden produce, some kitchen scraps are not suitable for chickens.

What to Avoid from the Kitchen

Some foods from your kitchen can be harmful or even deadly to chickens. Foods high in salt or sugar, heavily processed foods, caffeine or alcohol-containing items, and anything moldy or rotten should never be given to chickens.

Specific items to avoid include:

• Anything Containing Caffeine or Alcohol
• Any Salty foods
• Anything Sugary
• Apple seeds and apple cores
• Avocado (especially the skin and pit)
• Butter
• Candy and Chocolate
• Citrus fruits and citrus peels
• Fried Foods
• Junk food such as chips and pretzels
• Ice Cream, Sherbet, Frozen Yogurt
• Pastries and Sweet Baked Goods
• Rotten or Moldy Food
• Seeds and Pits from fruit
• Soda & Juice
• Uncooked raw beans
• Uncooked Pasta and uncooked rice

Safe Kitchen Scraps for Chickens

Many kitchen scraps are perfectly safe and healthy for chickens. These can include:

• Cooked or leftover vegetables and fruits (be careful with seeds and pits)
• Cooked pasta or rice
• Cooked meats (avoid processed meats like sausages or hot dogs)
• Bread or grains (in moderation)
• Dairy products like cheese and yogurt (in moderation)

Yard Treats for Chickens

If you allow your chickens to free-range in your yard, they’ll have a field day foraging for bugs, grass, and other plant matter. However, some common yard items can be harmful to chickens.

What to Avoid from the Yard

Chickens should not be allowed to ingest certain yard items. These include:

• Azalea
• Ferns
• Foxglove
• Holly
• Large amounts of lawn clippings (can lead to crop issues)
• Lobelia
• Lupine
• Mushrooms
• Nightshades
• Rhododendron
• Oak Leaves and Acorns
• Toads

Safe Yard Treats for Chickens

While you need to be cautious about what your chickens forage in your yard, many items are perfectly safe. Chickens love to peck at grass, clover, bugs, and even weeds.

The Forbidden Five

While the lists above provide a good general guide on what to feed and not feed your chickens, there are five foods that are particularly deadly and should be avoided at all costs. These are:

1. Dried or raw beans: Beans contain a toxin called phytohaemagglutinin, which can be fatal to chickens.
2. Anything moldy: Certain molds can produce toxins that can harm or even kill your chickens.
3. Avocado: All parts of the avocado, especially the skin and pit, contain a toxin called persin, which can cause heart problems and even death in chickens.
4. Green potatoes or green tomatoes: These contain a toxin called solanine that can harm chickens.
5. Chocolate: Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which can be fatal to birds.

The Bottom Line

While this guide provides a comprehensive overview of what you can and can’t feed your chickens, it’s always a good idea to do your own research if you’re unsure about a certain food item. Remember, when it comes to feeding your chickens, a good rule of thumb is: when in doubt, leave it out.

By being mindful of your chicken’s diet, you can ensure they stay happy, healthy, and productive. After all, a well-fed chicken is a happy chicken!