If you’ve had chickens for more than five minutes, you’ve probably already realized that these feathered lunatics will eat anything. Dropped your sandwich? Gone. Left your shoelaces untied? Pecked to oblivion. Your earring fell out? Say goodbye.
But just because a chicken will eat something doesn’t mean it should. Some foods are great for your flock, while others range from mildly upsetting (hello, chicken with a tummy ache) to downright deadly. So, let’s break it down: what’s a chicken-approved snack and what’s a clucking disaster?
✅ Snack Attack: Safe & Nutritious Treats
🐔 Fruits & Veggies: Chickens love produce, and most of it is fair game. Safe options include:
✔ Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) – Packed with antioxidants and chicken-approved.
✔ Leafy greens (kale, lettuce, spinach) – Full of vitamins, but don’t overdo spinach (oxalates can interfere with calcium absorption).
✔ Pumpkin & Squash – Bonus points: pumpkin seeds may help with worms.
🐔 Grains & Carbs: Chickens love carbs. Safe options:
✔ Oatmeal – Warm and cozy in winter.
✔ Rice – Cooked or uncooked, but keep it plain (no salty takeout leftovers).
✔ Corn – A favorite, but treat it like chicken junk food—moderation is key.
🐔 Protein-Packed Goodies:
✔ Eggs – Sounds weird, but scrambled eggs are packed with protein. Just don’t let them figure out where eggs come from…
✔ Mealworms & Insects– Pure protein. Disgusting? Yes. Do they love them? Also yes.
🚫 Danger Zone: What NOT to Feed Your Chickens
💀 Toxic & Potentially Deadly Foods:
❌ Avocado (Pit & Skin) – Contains persin, which is toxic to chickens. No guac for them!
❌ Chocolate & Caffeine – Toxic to chickens, just like it is for dogs. No coffee or leftover brownies.
❌ Raw Beans – Contain lectins, which can be instantly deadly. Cooked beans are fine, but don’t risk raw ones.
🤢 Not Deadly, But Not Great:
⚠️ Onions & Garlic – In large amounts, can mess with their red blood cells. Occasional scraps? Probably fine.
⚠️ Citrus Fruits – Some chickens hate it, some don’t, but it might interfere with calcium absorption.
🚨 Weird Things Chickens Will Try to Eat (That They Absolutely Shouldn’t):
🐔 Styrofoam (why?!)
🐔 Rubber bands (they mistake them for worms)
🐔 Paint chips (Lead poisoning is real, folks!)
🐔 Random pieces of metal (Crop impaction, anyone?)
🏆 The 10% Rule: How Much is Too Much?
Yes, chickens love snacks, and yes, it’s fun to spoil them. But treats should only make up 10% of their total diet. The bulk of their nutrition should come from a balanced commercial feed that meets all their protein, vitamin, and mineral needs.
Daily Diet Breakdown for a Healthy Flock
🐔 90% Balanced Feed – A high-quality layer or grower feed should be their main meal.
🐔 10% Healthy Treats – Fruits, veggies, mixed grains, mealworms, or scrambled eggs for a nutrient boost.
Too many treats = overweight, unhealthy chickens with poor egg production. So, next time your flock is giving you the “feed me, human” look, make sure you’re keeping the snacks in check. A little treat is great—just don’t turn them into tiny feathered foodies!
🧐 Common Myths About Feeding Chickens
🐔 Myth #1: Chickens Can Eat Anything, Even Moldy Food
❌ False! Chickens are tough, but moldy food can cause mycotoxin poisoning, which leads to sickness or even death. Always toss out moldy scraps.
🐔 Myth #2: Feeding Chickens Raw Eggs Will Make Them Egg Eaters
⚠ Partially True. While scrambled eggs are a great protein source, giving them raw eggs can encourage egg-pecking behavior. If you feed eggs, make sure they’re fully cooked and unrecognizable.
🐔 Myth #3: If It’s Safe for Humans, It’s Safe for Chickens
❌ Nope! Things like chocolate, onions, and salty junk food are fine for us but can cause serious health problems for chickens.
🚑 Signs of Food Poisoning in Chickens & What to Do
If your chicken eats something toxic, symptoms may include:
🔺 Lethargy & Weakness – A suddenly sluggish bird could be in distress.
🔺 Diarrhea or Vomiting – Uncommon in chickens, but a red flag.
🔺 Loss of Appetite – If they refuse their favorite treats, something’s wrong.
🔺 Seizures or Difficulty Walking – Neurological symptoms = emergency.
What to Do If Your Chicken Eats Something Bad
1️⃣ Separate the Sick Bird – Prevent other chickens from pecking at them.
2️⃣ Provide Fresh Water – Hydration helps flush out toxins.
3️⃣ Give Activated Charcoal – Can help absorb toxins if caught early.
4️⃣ Contact a Poultry Vet – If symptoms worsen, get professional help ASAP.
Final Thoughts: Feed Smart & Keep Your Flock Healthy!
Chickens are not the best at making healthy life choices. (Neither am I, if I’m honest.) But as their human caretakers, we’ve got to keep them safe. Stick to healthy, flock-friendly snacks, and keep the dangerous stuff far, far away.
