The pits and skins of avocado contain Persin which is poisonous for chickens. Chickens can eat orange and other citrus flesh but they are unlikely to eat the skins due to their bitter flavour and strong scent. If you don’t buy organic you would ideally wash the item before giving it to the chickens. They don’t contain solanine, so it’s safe to eat for your flocks. From bringing your chicks home for the first time to putting eggs on the table, we’ve got it all covered. But as we have already explained, sugary and citrus fruits are not good for a daily diet. They are nutritious for both humans and chooks. Yes, chickens can eat Kale. So, give them as little as possible. … Select fruits, vegetables and grains will keep chickens happy and ensure they are receiving a nutritionally balanced diet. Yes, chickens can eat grass, but it depends on their surroundings. WHAT NOT TO FEED YOUR CHICKENS. The basics are the sa… Giving them nuts occasionally as a treat is good. You can make sprouts from cereals, oats, beans, etc. But always give fresh bread, they should not be moldy because it may harm your chook’s health. So, if you crush dried shrimps, they will eat them all but remember not to give salted shrimps. The following plants are appropriate and worry-free for the areas chickens roam. Print This Page. There are some food scraps that chickens should not eat, so we have made a list of what not to feed chickens. So, if you have an egg business, avoid giving them to your flocks. Chickens need a lot of protein and calcium to lay eggs, and the food we supply ensures they get all that they require. What Exactly Is a Broody Hen and How to Stop It? Best Answer. Obviously it’s a great nutritious chicken treat for your chickens but only when they like to eat. A good quality commercial poultry feed should be the main component of your hens’ diet to make sure they get all the nutrients they need. How To Store Your Chickens’ Freshly Laid Eggs. What A Chicken CAN Eat. When allowed to roam free your birds will eat grasses and weeds, lizards, mice, bugs, worms and toads, berries and seeds, and vegetation of all kinds. Yes, chickens can eat raspberries. Yes, your chickens can eat chia seeds. When ranging in the yards, chickens will find a cornucopia of protein- and vitamin-rich food on their own, including insects and grubs, vegetation and seeds. Rich in minerals and vitamins, this type of berries contain antioxidants. It helps in digestion by killing intestinal bacteria. Yes, you can treat Spaghetti Squash to your chickens. Yes, sunflower seeds are great chicken treats for your flocks. You don’t need to chop them; they will chem by pecking them. No, you should not give butter to your chickens. You can also give leftover half-eaten strawberries to them but give it occasionally because of its sweetness otherwise they are safe. Raw meat — Feeding chickens raw meat can lead to cannibalism. Spinach contains lots of vitamins, minerals. 13 Tips. Yes, chickens can have pecans but in cooked form. Most of the time chickens will avoid things that aren't good for them, but if food is scarce, or it is included in with other things they normally eat, they can't always be trusted to steer clear. Layer hens are omnivores so can eat a wide variety of different foods. But when giving them a variety of treats, you should be careful enough not to provide them with toxic foods. Almonds contain salicylates which may be toxic if given in extensive amounts. We have a large variety of citrus, avocados and all kinds of tropical fruit. The exception to the 10% rule is "green treats" such as kale, dandelion greens, parsley, swiss chard, berries and bugs (aka anything they would find in a free-range environment), which they can have an unlimited amount of! A few years back, we set up a second one on the kitchen counter for scraps that would please the chickens. So, above is the chicken treats list of what can chickens eat and what not? It contains solanine toxic for them. Yes, you can give them citrus fruits in moderation. 10. Chickens can eat only the flesh part of an avocado. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Broccoli is safe to feed to your chickens. Chicken eat almost every type of meat like pork meat, goat meat, sheep meat, etc. Yes, chicken loves to eat strawberries. Also, leftover foods should be given in moderation, which is not moldy. Your email address will not be published. You can also give cooked oatmeal, but that may be a little messy and sticky. Sometimes. They are green and give nutritions like broccoli. Moldy food. Every chicken farmer loves their chickens. The cornerstone of a strong flock is nutrition. What NOT to feed chickens So next time you’re asking yourself what do chickens eat, and working out what food to put in the compost heap or the chicken’s scrap tin, use this chicken treat chart to put your mind at ease. My chickens love to eat lettuce. Yogurt. Yes, you can give almonds to chickens but in crushed, powdered form. So, they don’t cause any harm to your chooks. https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/how-to-keep-your-hens-happy-during-winter/, https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/chicken-treats/, Backyard Chickens: A Practical Handbook to Raising Chickens. You can give them occasionally. Yes, chickens can eat yellow, green, red bell pepper. Yes, chickens love to eat pomegranate. Just about all processed foods are high in salt and/or sugar and low in nutritional value. Typically, backyard and small farm chickens also eat food scraps from the farm household. They have no side effects. Yes, chickens can eat mangoes. Chia seeds contain a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids, protein. Other plants in this family (allium) include shallots, scallions, and chives. Yes, honey is a great chicken treat for your flocks, mainly when they are facing any bacterial or viral infection. Some molds are highly toxic and can kill poultry easily. Some chickens like them, some not. It also contains 14-15% sugar, but that amount is OK if given in moderation. Chickens are lucky because they can eat almost anything they come across. Just cut the upper part of the pumpkin or cut them in pieces. Feeding your hens (or chickens), a complete and balanced diet is essential to making sure they stay happy and healthy. Their Own Egg Shells. Yes, chicken can eat broccoli. Moldy bread or food may cause serious illness to your flocks. Yes, nectarines are safe for chickens but remember to throw away the inner pit. But most of the chickens don’t like to eat them. Wild bird foods are totally different from chicken feed because chicken lays many times in a year but wild birds lay eggs very less time in a year. Yes, chickens can eat carrots. Green potatoes, though, are another matter entirely. Yes, chickens can eat pinto beans, but like other beans, they must be well cooked. Safe Foods For Chickens: Almonds Apples Artichokes Peeled Bananas Asparagus Herbs, such as basil, nettles, chives, comfrey, chickweed, and cilantro (basil, in particular, boosts the immune system) Cooked Beans (though I read this can make the eggs taste funny.) List of Top 121 Chicken Treats: What Can Chickens Eat? Yes, They are a great source of protein and help them in winter. Things Chickens Can Eat Standard Chicken Feeds. They are nutritious for flocks. Yes, chickens can eat walnuts. 3. Yes, snap peas can be a treat for chickens. I keep it in my hand and give them treats. You can give them raw and cooked ones. Chickens can eat cabbage in moderation and have no problems. Here are a few that you’ll see at most farm stores. Chickens can’t digest everything that humans can, so leave these scraps for the rubbish bin or compost heap. Lots of chicken farmers give walnuts to their chicken and they love them to eat. They don’t have any side effects. Raw potatoes can be poisonous to chickens. When it comes to foraging, there is a lengthy list of plants that chickens love as treats. If you have left cooked rice in your kitchen, give it to your flocks. Honey is the first choice of most of the veterinarians because it has antibacterial properties and it helps relieve form respiratory tract infections. No, avoid giving chocolate cake to your chicken. If you cut them into minor pieces they will eat it completely. They contain protein, fish, meat like supplements which are also good for chicken health. You can give them raw or cooked broccoli. Yes, you can feed cabbage to your chicken. Yes, chicken love to eat parsley and coriander. Yes, it’s a great chicken treat. Yes, you can give bread to your chickens. Yes, raw potatoes can be eaten by chicken as a treat. So, you must sprout them before giving as a treats to your flocks. Squash is a healthy chicken treat for them. It is total sugar, so it is not good for your chickens’ health. Chickens will happily eat the flesh of other chickens, and it’s not necessarily bad for them. Disclosure: Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links, meaning I may get a small commission if you make a purchase. Yes, your chickens can eat cantaloupe seeds. How to choose the perfect breed of chicken for you- including our top 5 beginner picks. There are many different types of chicken feeds available. Yes, pineapple is a pleasant chicken treat if given in moderation. A few years back, we set up a second one on the kitchen counter for scraps that would please the chickens. Candy. Some coffee ground mixture with tea and chocolate contains methylxanthines bad for chicken flocks. Don’t give preserved, salted and brine dipped olives. Some of these treats can be given to younger ducklings, as early as the first week of life, depending on the treat. But if you break them into 2 or 3 pieces, it’s better for them to eat. Yes, chickens can eat both radish and radish green leaves. Plants marked with an asterisk (*) have medicinal properties for chickens. Yes, you can give them lemons as well. Dried lentils or beans. Yes, brussels sprouts are a great treat for chicken flocks. Chickens can eat apples, however the seeds should be avoided as they contain cyanide (which … Some chickens don’t like its smell, so it may make an unpleasant smell in your coops. Yes, chicken eats many hot chilies and peppers. Some of the foods on this list may not outright kill your chickens, but have been known to cause internal issues and are best avoided all together. They love to peck them. Basils are safe for chickens and also they keep the intestine and respiratory system of your flocks healthy. Chicken love to peck them. Very greasy foods — These can be difficult for your chickens to digest. But it’s a healthy diet for your chicken coops. Chickens are natural foragers, so trying new foods is inevitable. The original compost container still gets things that the chickens won’t or shouldn’t eat, such as coffee grounds, paper towels, citrus peels, avocado skins (which are toxic to chickens) and anything moldy or spoiled. Don’t give high amounts of flax seeds to your hens because it changes the flavor of eggs. An emphasis should be placed on “almost anything”. Most of the chickens who live inside a shed and not allowed to roam outside eat almost everything to fill their nutritional values. Most people are surprised to see how chickens can eat almost all of the kitchen scraps that we collect for them – and how much they seem to love them! Keep away your chickens from rhubarb plants. Your email address will not be published. They contain sulphuric content which will help their bodies repel pests like lice, mites, and worms. Yes, you can give Zucchini as chicken treat to your flocks. Some of the foods on this list may not outright kill your chickens, but have been known to cause internal issues and are best avoided all together. But remind to make them unsalted and popped. Chickens love bread, but it has low nutritional content. Also, feeding them Spaghetti Squash provides you with good taste eggs. Chickens can eat grapes. Yes, chickens can eat soybean. Chickens will only eat what they need, and will not overeat if given a choice. What Can Chickens Eat – Safe, Healthy Food List: Commercial feed: Commercial feed will contain a balanced diet that will have all the required nutrients chickens need in order to grow healthy and produce a healthy amount of eggs.There are organic feeds available too! Iceburg lettuce can be particularly problematic, causing diarrhea in some birds. Give it often because it has high salt content, which is not good for chicken. Lettuce is fine in small quantities, but when fed in large amounts to your chickens, it can cause diarrhea, since it has so much water. Some annuals can be over-wintered as perennials in warmer climates. A good quality commercial poultry feed should be the main component of your hens’ diet to make sure they get all the nutrients they need. If yes, keep reading and you will get the whole 121 chicken treats list in this article. The Definitive List of Chicken Treats: What Can Chickens Eat? In other ways, pickles contain salt and oil, which is not good, but they can be eaten if given occasionally. Always remind one thing these are chicken treats, not their daily feed. Can Chickens Eat Blueberries, Blackberries, Raspberries? They are delicious for flocks. Feed this treat sparingly. Yes, you can give your flock’s popcorns as a treat. Top 11 Best Dual Purpose Chicken Breeds (with Images), Top 10 Best Incubators for Hatching Chicken, Duck, Quail Eggs, Top 11 Best Chicken Feeders for Your Poultry Flocks, Top 7 Best Chicken Vitamin Supplements to Keep Flocks Strong, Best 21 Portable Chicken Coops and Tractors (Free Plans & Designs), How to Keep Your Chickens Warm in Winter? Yes, chickens can eat cilantro plants. Just cut them in two pieces. No, chickens can’t eat chocolate. Yes, you can give them occasionally as a treat but not like a daily diet for backyard chicken. These are like watermelons, they act as a rehydration treat in summer. But research has found that it may change the taste of chicken eggs. Chickens tend to avoid foods that are bad or harmful for them, but some are healthier than others. They are good for their health because they have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-diabetic properties. Required fields are marked *. 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