Do’s & Don’ts for Feeding Chickens: A Complete Guide

Feeding chickens is an essential part of keeping a healthy and happy flock. These clever birds are more than just egg producers—they’re natural recyclers, too! Chickens help reduce household waste by enjoying kitchen scraps that would otherwise go to the trash. However, ensuring your chickens are eating the right chicken food is key to maintaining their health and productivity. This guide will walk you through the essential do’s and don’ts for feeding chickens, with a special focus on balancing treats with their nutritional needs.

Do: Offer Kitchen Scraps to Chickens in Moderation

Chickens love variety, and kitchen scraps can be a great way to offer them something different. However, these should be provided in moderation. Healthy scraps include:

✅ Vegetables such as  lettuce, carrots, beets, broccoli, kale, squash, pumpkins and cucumbers

✅ Vegetable Peels (excluding harmful ones like potato skins)

✅ Fruit such as apples or berries (just avoid citrus)

✅ Fresh Herbs like mint, oregano, parsley, cilantro, thyme and basil

✅ Cooked Grains like rice or oats

✅ Cooked Beans but never raw beans

These extras provide enrichment and help diversify their diet. Remember, though, that scraps should never make up more than 10% of your chickens’ overall food intake.

Don’t: Feed Toxic or Harmful Foods to Chickens

While chickens can eat a wide variety of foods, certain items can be harmful or even toxic. Here are some foods you should never feed your chickens:

❌ Alcohol – Chickens should never consume alcohol. Even small amounts can be lethal to birds.

❌ Caffeine – Found in coffee, tea, and soft drinks, caffeine is toxic to chickens and can cause heart problems.

❌ Chocolate –  While it’s hard to imagine wasting chocolate, avoid feeding it to your flock. It contains theobromine, a compound that is toxic to chickens, much like it is to dogs and cats.

❌ Avocados – Avocado skin and pits contain a toxin called persin, which is harmful to birds and can cause heart failure.

❌ Citrus Fruits – Oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits are said to interfere with calcium absorption, potentially leading to weak eggshells or even egg-laying problems.

❌ Dried Beans – Raw or dried beans contain hemagglutinin, a toxin that can be fatal to chickens. However, cooked or sprouted beans are safe and nutritious.

❌ Onions – Onions contain thiosulphate, which can damage red blood cells in chickens, leading to anemia or jaundice.

❌ Potato Skins – Raw potato skins, particularly from green potatoes, contain solanine, a toxin harmful to chickens. Cooking the skins neutralizes the solanine, making them safe to feed.

❌ Rhubarb Leaves – Both chickens and humans should avoid rhubarb leaves, as they contain oxalic acid, which is highly toxic.

Do: Clean Up After Feeding Scraps to Chickens

Feeding chickens scraps is a great way to reduce waste, but uneaten food can quickly spoil or attract pests. Make sure to clean up any leftovers from your chickens’ run or coop at the end of the day. This will keep the area hygienic, prevent unwanted guests like rats or flies, and help maintain the health of your flock.

Don’t: Overfeed Your Chickens with Treats

While it may be tempting to spoil your chickens with treats, too much of a good thing can lead to health issues like obesity, egg-laying problems, or nutrient imbalances. Stick to the rule that treats should only make up about 10% of your chickens’ diet. Focus on maintaining a consistent schedule of feeding chickens their balanced feed, supplemented occasionally with healthy treats. For a comprehensive list of foods that chicken can and cannot eat.

Feeding chickens can be a fun and sustainable way to reduce food waste, but it’s essential to know what’s safe and what’s not. Always prioritize a complete feed to ensure your flock stays healthy, and enjoy treating them to scraps in moderation. By following these simple do’s and don’ts, you’ll keep your chickens happy, healthy, and producing eggs for years to come.

Learn more about poultry health, feeding and care in our Poultry Care Corner.