One of the best parts about raising chickens is watching them devour new treats. It’s hard to resist sharing table scraps or extra veggies from the garden with them. Chickens, being omnivores, enjoy both meat and veggies, which gives you a lot of flexibility in what to feed them. But be careful—it’s tempting to dump all your leftovers into their dish, but some foods can actually harm your flock.
Chickens may seem like they can eat anything, but there are some things you should avoid giving them. Feeding chickens is fun, but you’ve got to be cautious about what makes it into their diet. Keep these foods out of their reach to ensure your flock stays happy and healthy.
Onions
Onions have a compound called thiosulfate that can destroy red blood cells and cause anemia in chickens. The whole allium family—including shallots, scallions, and chives—can be harmful. Garlic is an exception since it contains much less thiosulfate and can be safely fed to chickens in small amounts.
Potatoes
When it comes to potatoes, there’s a fine line. Cooked, ripe potatoes are generally safe for chickens. But green, raw potatoes? Absolutely not. Green potatoes contain solanine, which can be deadly to chickens. It’s better to play it safe and avoid giving them potatoes altogether, just in case they’re undercooked or not fully ripe.
Dairy
Chickens don’t digest dairy well. While it’s fun to imagine them enjoying a saucer of milk, it’ll actually lead to diarrhea. Too much dairy can dehydrate them, and dehydration can be life-threatening for chickens. It’s tough to catch dehydration before it’s too late, so avoiding dairy is your best bet. Keep the ice cream and milk for yourself!
Caffeine
Anything containing caffeine—like coffee grounds, tea bags, or soft drinks—should be kept far away from your chickens. Caffeine is toxic to them and can cause heart problems, hyperactivity, and even death. Don’t let your chickens snack on anything caffeinated.
Raw Meat
While chickens can eat meat, raw meat carries the risk of bacterial contamination like salmonella or E. coli. Feeding raw meat to chickens can lead to illness or even spread harmful bacteria throughout your flock. Always cook any meat scraps you intend to give them.
Nightshade Plants
Nightshade plants are no joke for chickens. While we’ve all heard of the dangers of deadly nightshade, other plants in this family can also be toxic, including unripe tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers. These veggies contain solanine, like potatoes, which can be fatal to chickens if eaten raw. Chickens usually know to avoid these plants, but don’t tempt them by tossing them into the coop.
It’s worth noting that overripe tomatoes are fine for chickens to nibble on. They love them, and once the tomatoes are overripe, they’re generally safe. Just don’t dump a pile of them into the coop. If they find a few themselves, it’s no big deal.
Citrus Fruits
Oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits can upset a chicken’s digestive system. Too much citrus can interfere with calcium absorption, leading to thin-shelled or even shell-less eggs. Stick to other fruits like berries or melons instead.
Chocolate
Most people know chocolate is dangerous for dogs, but it’s harmful to chickens too. Chocolate can cause heart problems and even death. A small nibble probably won’t hurt them, but if they get into a large amount—especially dark chocolate—it can be deadly. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is.
Salty Foods
Too much salt can lead to salt poisoning in chickens, which is fatal. Foods like chips, pretzels, and processed snacks are far too salty for chickens and can cause severe dehydration and kidney failure.
Asparagus
Asparagus isn’t toxic to chickens, but here’s the catch: it can affect the flavor of their eggs. If your chickens eat asparagus, you might notice a change in the taste and smell of their eggs. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s something to consider if you’re sensitive to flavors. Besides, chickens don’t usually go for asparagus anyway.
Avocados
Avocados, including the leaves of the plant, are highly toxic to chickens. The persin toxin in avocados can cause heart failure and death in chickens within 48 hours. So, no guacamole scraps for your birds. Avocados are dangerous for many animals, so keep them away from other pets too.
Rhubarb
The leaves of the rhubarb plant are toxic to chickens (and humans, for that matter). Rhubarb contains oxalic acid, which can cause kidney failure and digestive issues. Even small amounts can make your chickens sick, so keep them away from any rhubarb plants in your garden.
Apple Seeds
While apples are a great snack for chickens, the seeds are a different story. Apple seeds contain cyanide, which can be poisonous if eaten in large quantities. Make sure to remove the core before feeding apples to your birds to avoid any risks.
Dried or Raw Beans
Raw or dried beans are another no-go for chickens. They contain a natural pesticide called lectin, which can be fatal if consumed. Some argue that cooked beans are safe, but it’s not worth the risk. Even a small amount of uncooked beans can kill a chicken in a matter of hours, so skip the beans entirely.
Candy
Sugary foods, especially candy, are bad for chickens. Their digestive systems aren’t built to handle refined sugars, and too much can lead to obesity and other health problems. Avoid feeding your chickens candy, gum, or sugary desserts.
Anything Moldy
If you wouldn’t eat it, don’t give it to your chickens. Moldy food can be dangerous because it’s hard to know which types of mold are safe and which can make your chickens sick. Some molds won’t cause harm, but the risk isn’t worth it. Just toss anything that’s starting to go bad instead of feeding it to your flock.
Alcohol
It might seem obvious, but alcohol is dangerous for chickens. Even small amounts can cause intoxication, difficulty breathing, and organ damage. Make sure to keep beer, wine, or any other alcoholic drinks well out of reach of your flock.
