10 Foods You Should Never Feed Your Chickens (And Safe Alternatives)
- Annie
- May 28, 2020
- 7 min read
Updated: Feb 14
If you're raising chickens, you’ve likely noticed they’re always eager to peck at whatever scraps they can find. While they might seem to know what's good for them, not all foods are safe for chickens. In fact, some common kitchen leftovers can cause serious harm.
To help keep your flock healthy, here’s a list of 10 foods you should never feed your chickens and the reasons why they’re dangerous.
Foods & Plants that are Toxic to Chickens
1. Candy and Chocolate
While we love indulging in chocolate treats, it can be toxic for chickens. Chocolate contains theobromine, a compound that chickens cannot process. Ingesting chocolate can lead to seizures, vomiting and even death.
2. Avocado (Skin & Pit)
Avocado contains persin, a toxin that can cause heart failure, difficulty breathing and weakness in chickens. High doses of persin may result in death within just 12-24 hours, so it's best to keep this "superfood" for humans only.
3. Coffee and Tea
Caffeinated drinks, including coffee and tea, can cause heart arrhythmias and death in chickens. Their bodies aren’t designed to handle caffeine, so don’t share your morning brew with your flock.
4. Apple Seeds
Although apples make healthy treats for chickens, their seeds contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide when digested. Be sure to remove the seeds before offering apples to your flock. The same goes for seeds in fruits like pears, plums, peaches and cherries.
5. Raw or Green Potatoes and Potato Peels
Potatoes in their raw form, especially when green, contain solanine and chaconine, both toxic to chickens. These compounds can lead to digestive upset and illness, so always cook potatoes before sharing them with your flock.
6. Onions and Garlic
Although onions and garlic are beneficial for us, they contain compounds that can cause anemia in chickens, leading to health issues. It’s best to avoid feeding them to your birds.
7. Rhubarb Leaves
Rhubarb leaves are highly toxic, containing oxalic acid, which can impair calcium absorption, resulting in kidney failure and death. Always avoid rhubarb leaves when foraging for treats.
8. Excessively Salty Foods
While chickens need some salt, too much can cause dehydration and kidney damage. Avoid offering overly salty foods like chips, pretzels or salted leftovers.
9. Dried Rice or Beans
Uncooked rice or beans can swell in the chicken’s digestive system, potentially causing blockages that can be life-threatening. Always cook rice and beans before offering them as a treat.
10. Nightshade Vegetable Leaves and Stems
Nightshades include common garden plants like tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes and peppers. While the ripe fruits are generally safe, the leaves and stems contain solanine, a toxin harmful to chickens. Eating nightshade plants can cause digestive upset, weakness and death in severe cases. Also avoid plants like foxglove and yew. These can also cause serious health issues or death if consumed by chickens.
Overall, if you stay away from these foods and plants, your flock will pretty much go wild over anything else. A couple of favorite treats in our coop are watermelon, cabbage, lettuce, flaxseed, leftover spaghetti and Golden Graze and Happy Tract!
Foods & Plants to Limit or Avoid for Chickens
To keep your flock healthy, it’s essential to limit or avoid certain foods. Here’s a concise guide to what should stay off your chickens' menu:
1. Rotten or Spoiled Vegetables
Never feed chickens spoiled or rotten veggies. They can cause food poisoning and botulism, leading to paralysis or death. Only offer fresh, safe produce.
2. Dairy Products
Chickens can eat small amounts of dairy, such as yogurt, but they have difficulty digesting lactose. Too much dairy can lead to digestive issues like diarrhea. If you choose to give your chickens dairy-based treats, keep it to a minimum.
3. Bread
Bread might seem harmless, but it offers little nutritional value for chickens. It’s low in protein and can quickly fill up your chickens, preventing them from eating their more nutrient-dense feed. Over time, feeding too much bread can lead to malnutrition or obesity. Stick to whole grains in small amounts as an occasional treat.
4. Raw Peanuts
Raw peanuts contain harmful enzymes and, if moldy, can produce aflatoxins that damage the liver. Stick to small amounts of roasted, unsalted peanuts, if at all.
5. High-Fat or Sugary Foods
Foods like pastries, cakes, and other sugary treats can lead to obesity and reduced egg production. Keep these indulgences to a minimum.
6. Corn and Sunflower Seeds
High in starch and fat, these treats can upset digestion and cause weight gain if given too frequently. Limit them to a couple of times a week.
7. Raw Eggs
Feeding raw eggs to chickens can encourage egg-eating habits, which are tough to break once established. It’s best to avoid feeding them raw eggs altogether.
8. Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons, contain citric acid, which can irritate chickens' digestive systems. Some suggest that high citrus intake may lead to reduced egg production, so it’s best to limit their consumption.
Foods Chickens Should & Shouldn't Eat Graphic
Here’s your quick cheat sheet to keep your chickens safe! Save this graphic or download our PDF for easy reference to protect your flock from harmful foods.
FAQ: Foods Chickens Shouldn’t Eat
1. What happens if my chicken accidentally eats something from the "do not eat" list?
In small quantities, some of these foods may not cause immediate harm, but it’s crucial to monitor your chickens closely for any signs of illness such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or unusual behavior. If you notice symptoms like these, it’s best to separate the affected chicken from the flock and consult a veterinarian. Some toxic foods, like avocado and chocolate and rhubarb, can have serious consequences even in small amounts, so quick action is key.
2. Can chickens develop a tolerance to certain harmful foods over time?
3. Why are raw potatoes and green potatoes harmful to chickens?
4. Can chickens eat cooked potatoes or beans?
Yes, chickens can eat cooked potatoes and beans, as cooking neutralizes the harmful compounds found in raw versions of these foods. Cooked potatoes (without seasoning) are a great source of carbohydrates, while beans provide protein. Always make sure the food is cool enough for your chickens to eat before offering it to them.
5. Are all types of citrus fruits bad for chickens?
6. Is there a difference between dried and cooked rice for chickens?
Yes, there is a significant difference. Dried rice expands when it comes into contact with moisture, which can cause digestive blockages or even crop impaction in chickens. However, cooked rice is safe and makes for a filling, nutritious snack that chickens will enjoy. Be sure to avoid adding seasoning, oils, or salt when preparing rice for your flock.
7. Can chickens eat kitchen scraps?
Chickens love kitchen scraps, but it’s important to be selective. Safe scraps include fruits (except citrus), vegetables and grains. Always avoid offering foods high in salt, sugar, or fat and steer clear of anything moldy. Leftovers like cooked rice, pasta and vegetables can be nutritious treats, but they should only be offered in moderation and should never replace their balanced chicken feed.
8. Can chickens eat leftover meat?
9. Are there any other foods that chickens should avoid, even though they aren't on the list?
Natural Chicken Treats for a Healthier Flock
If you want to feel good about the treats your chickens are snacking on, and not worry if they're safe or not, try Golden Graze and Happy Tract. These natural treats are not just delicious for your chickens but also help improve egg quality and boost immunity and digestive health.
Overall, our chickens are like family to us, so we really want to take care of them and ensure their diet is healthy. Remember, treats or scraps from the kitchen should never replace their balanced diet of chicken feed. They should be what they’re called...a treat. Making sure your flock has a healthy diet will ensure they lay amazing eggs and live a long, healthy life!
Until next time,
-The Wing Lady
Golden Graze - For Quality Eggs & Golden Yolks Golden Graze is a daily chicken snack that promotes quality eggs with golden yolks and Omega-3 fatty acids. It contains oregano essential oils, multi-grains, cracked corn, oyster shells, marigold petals and flaxseed. Treat your hens to this healthy snack and enjoy eggsellent eggs.
Happy Tract - For Digestive Healthy & Immunity
Happy Tract is a daily chicken snack that promotes digestive health in your flock. It contains oregano, cinnamon and thyme essential oils, prebiotics, multi-grains, cracked corn and sunflower seed. Treat your feathered friends to this healthy snack.