What Can a Chicken Eat? A Guide to Chicken Treats and Foods

Chickens are omnivores that enjoy a wide variety of foods. It’s important to know what to feed your chickens and what not to feed them. Your chickens will be happy and healthy if you give them a balanced diet and treat them sometimes.

The Basics: Chicken Feed and Supplements

The staple of a chicken’s diet should be a complete commercial chicken feed that provides all the protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals they need. Look for feeds formulated specifically for each life stage – starters for chicks, growers for pullets, layers for hens and maintenance for adult roosters and non-laying hens.

You can supplement commercial feed with treats up to 10% of their daily diet Some common supplements include oyster shells for calcium, grit for digestion, treats like cracked corn and flock blocks for boredom relief Sprouted grains and seeds also make excellent supplements.

Bugs and Insects

Insects provide natural protein and are a huge treat for chickens. When free-ranging, chickens will hunt for bugs. You can also buy dried insects or catch your own to feed. Crickets, mealworms, grubs and maggots are favorites. Avoid feeding chickens houseflies due to disease risks.

Weeds, Plants and Flowers

Chickens relish fresh greens. They’ll eat most garden weeds and plants, including dandelion, clover, grasses, marigold, plantain and wild violets. Avoid toxic plants like nightshade. You can offer fresh-picked greens daily. Growing some chicken-friendly plants provides free food.

Healthy Kitchen Scraps

Chickens love kitchen scraps. Almost all leftovers and table scraps like cooked grains, bread, cheese, yogurt, meat, bones, fruit and veggies can go into their feed. Avoid moldy, rotten or processed foods. Cook potatoes, dry beans or hard veggies to soften them first.

Limited Animal Products

If you let your chickens roam free, they will catch mice, small snakes, and even baby birds. Even though animal protein is good for you, be careful when giving it to animals because wild animals can spread disease. Also avoid feeding chickens prey that’s been poisoned.

Fruits and Vegetables

Garden fruits and veggies make great chicken treats. Offer produce raw, cooked or dried. Favorites include leafy greens, berries, melons, corn, peas, beets, herbs and broccoli. Remove pits, seeds and rinds. Chop large pieces to chick-sized bites. Avoid raw potatoes and green tomatoes.

Grains and Legumes

Cooked rice, pasta, oats, barley, quinoa and wheat in moderation are healthy treats. Limit dry beans and peas until cooked to reduce lectins. Offer scratch grains like corn, wheat or oats sparingly – they’re like candy to chickens!

Healthy Fats and Proteins

Eggs, seeds, nuts, fish, and seafood are good sources of fats and proteins when eaten in moderation. To make foods easier to digest, break up eggs or soak seeds. Avoid unhealthy fats from fried foods, grease or junk food.

Fruits and Berries

Chickens enjoy fruits like apple, berries, melon, stone fruits and citrus. Remove pits, seeds and rinds. Offer frozen or fresh. Fruits are high in sugars, so feed as treats, not daily diet staples.

Dairy Products

Small amounts of cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese and other dairy are usually well-tolerated. Avoid milk since poultry are lactose intolerant. Feed only plain, unsweetened dairy.

Avoid Toxic Foods

Some human foods can be toxic to chickens. Avoid chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, raw green potato skins, dried beans, avocado, onions, moldy foods and salt/sugar. Houseplants and ornamental flowers may also be toxic. When in doubt, don’t feed it!

Provide Free-Choice Foods

Keep oyster shells, grit and clean water available at all times so chickens can self-regulate these needs. Chickens won’t overindulge on grit or oyster shell.

Variety is Key

Rotate various treats to provide a diverse, balanced diet. Chickens love novelty, so they’ll welcome new flavors and textures. Offer treats at different times of day to prevent boredom.

Know Your Chicken

Get to know your flock’s tastes. Try small amounts of new foods and see if they like it before offering it to the whole flock. It’s fine if they dislike something – more for you! Just don’t force them to eat anything.

Feed Flock Appropriately

Make sure there is enough space for all the birds to get to the treats. Toss scraps in different areas to engage natural foraging behaviors. Remove uneaten fresh foods within an hour.

Supplement Organic Feed

Buying certified organic feed ensures wholesome ingredients, but tends to be pricey. You can reduce costs by supplementing with organically grown treats from your garden.

Monitor Weight

Treats add calories, so monitor chicken body weight and egg production. Obese chickens are prone to health issues. Restrict treats if needed to keep chickens fit and productive.