13+ Things Chickens Should Not Eat

Chickens are fun animals that give us eggs and meat. However, they can get sick if they eat the wrong foods. Learn about common foods that chickens should avoid.

To keep your chickens healthy, it’s important to know what not to feed them.

things chickens should NOT eat:

Do NOT Feed any Foods pictured above plus any and all types of raw or dried beans, green potatoes, moldy or spoiled foods!!

AVOID……

1. NO AVOCADOS:

Avocados are a popular fruit, but chickens should not eat them. They contain a toxin called persin, that is harmful to chickens and other animals.
The flesh of the avocado is safe, but the skin and pits can cause serious issues.

If chickens eat the skin or pits, they may have trouble breathing and fluid can build up in their chest. In severe cases, this can lead to death.

Some people think that chickens can eat avocados if you remove the skin and pits. You need to decide if the risk is worth it.

2. NO CHOCOLATE:

Chickens should not eat chocolate for a few reasons. First, chocolate is poison for chickens. The caffeine in chocolate can harm them.

Second, chocolate has too much sugar and fat, which can make chickens gain weight.

And, third, chocolate may have harmful chemicals that can put chickens at risk.

3. NO CAFFIENE:

Chickens should not drink coffee or tea, including coffee grounds and tea bags. Caffeine is bad for their health. It can raise their heart rate and make them dehydrated.

This includes all types of coffee, both regular and decaf, as well as black and green tea. Caffeine is dangerous to chickens.

Don’t feed leftover coffee grounds to your chickens. Instead, use them as garden as fertilizer!

4. NO ALCOHOL:

The moldy grains can produce harmful toxins. Alcohol is created during fermentation and is a toxin that can be deadly to chickens.

Even small amounts of alcohol can cause major health problems in chickens. This includes beer, wine, spritzers, hard cider, and all hard liquors.

Chickens that consume alcohol indirectly through fermented grains may also have difficulty laying eggs.

Be very careful of feeding damp grains to your girls, as eating fermented grains can also lead to digestive problems, such as diarrhea or death.

5. NO ONIONS:

Chickens should not eat onions for a variety of reasons.

• Onions have a compound called allium in them. This entire family of vegetables, like onions, includes garlic, leeks, and shallots. These are all part of the allium family.
• Second, onions can cause gastrointestinal distress in chickens, including diarrhea and vomiting.
• Third, onions can irritate a chicken’s eyes and respiratory system.

The no-onion list includes white, red, and yellow onions along with no green onions.

6. NO GARLIC:

Garlic is one of those foods that hangs in the balance. Some people advocate feeding garlic to chickens, believing it will make them healthier and others do not.

Fed in a small and controlled amounts, garlic appears to be safe and even healthy for chickens. But, large quantities of garlic can actually be quite harmful.

Like onions, garlic belongs to the family of plants that contain allium, which also includes onions and leeks. These plants contain compounds that are toxic to chickens.

While a small amount of garlic may not be harmful to chickens just make sure to monitor the amount. As the rule of thumbs goes, when in doubt leave it out!

Feeding Garlic To Your Flock of Chickens

7. NO RAW BEANS:

Chickens should not eat raw beans of any kind:

• First, raw beans can have toxins that can make chickens sick.
• Second, chickens may find it hard to digest raw beans, leading to digestive issues.
• Third, raw beans may carry bacteria that can infect chickens and cause sickness.

Just play it safe and do not feed any raw beans.

8. NO RAW FISH & MEATS:

1. Do not give chickens raw meat or raw fish.

2. Raw meat and fish spoil quickly at room temperature, so in the chicken coop they will spoil that much quicker. It is advised not to feed raw meats.

2. If chickens do eat raw meat or fish, they should be monitored closely for signs of illness and treated promptly if necessary.

9. NO MOLDY & SPOILED FOODS:

Chickens will eat almost anything they find. They are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and meat. However, not all foods are safe for them.

Some foods can hurt chickens, such as moldy or spoiled food.

Moldy food can have harmful bacteria, especially old bread. Check for mold spots, as the mold can spread deeper than what you see on the surface.

Understanding how mold invades and grows on bread is a must! Moldy bread is something no one should eat, including your chickens!

So, all moldy bread should surely go into the compost pile, as this bacteria can make chickens sick and even kill them.

Fresh and clean food is important. Your eggs will taste better when your chickens eat good, clean food.

If you suspect your chicken has eaten bad food, watch for signs of illness. Common symptoms include tiredness, diarrhea, vomiting, and possibly death.

10. NO GREEN POTATOES:

Potatoes belong to the nightshade family and contain a toxic compound called solanine.

Solanine is present in all parts of the potato plant, especially in the leaves and stem. When chickens eat green potatoes, they ingest solanine.

Green potato peels have high levels of solanine, which is a poison. Signs of solanine poisoning in chickens include stomach upset, dizziness, weakness, and paralysis. In severe cases, it can lead to death.

If you think your chicken has eaten green potato peels, contact your veterinarian right away.

To be safe, avoid feeding your chickens any green potatoes or green potato peels.

11. NO Tomato Plants: No stems, No leaves, No green tomatoes

Be Careful with Green Parts of Nightshade Plants for Chickens

Tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplants belong to the nightshade family. These plants have a harmful chemical that can hurt chickens.

While nightshades are safe for people, they can be dangerous for chickens.

The harmful chemical, solanine, is found in the leaves and stems of these plants. Always remove these parts before feeding tomatoes to your chickens.

The bottom line is: do not feed any green parts from tomato plants: no green tomatoes, no

If you’re not sure if your chickens can eat green tomatoes or nightshade plants, ask a veterinarian or poultry expert.

Do not feed your chickens any green parts of tomato plants. This includes no green tomatoes, no green tomato plants, and no green tomato leaves.

12. NO DONUTS, PASTRIES & JUNK FOODS:

Chickens should not eat donuts, pastries, or junk food. These foods are unhealthy for them, even if they seem to enjoy them.

Chickens will eat almost anything, so don’t give them too much of one type of food. For instance, while chickens love corn, too much can make them overweight, which is not good for their health.

Overweight chickens do not lay eggs well, and we usually keep chickens for their eggs and meat.

Sugary junk foods can also attract pests like ants, mice, and rats.

To keep your chickens healthy, feed them balanced chicken feed, fresh fruits and vegetables, and provide plenty of water.

13. NO CITRUS PEELS

Chickens shouldn’t eat citrus peels because they can have harmful toxins. Citrus fruits contain a chemical called limonene, which can be toxic to chickens.

Eating limonene can harm a chicken’s liver and breathing. In severe cases, it can even lead to death.

EXTRA TIPS to KEEP YOUR CHICKENS HEALTHY

Feeding produce and free foods isn’t always the best way to raise a healthy flock. Avoid giving them the following:

• Do not feed your flock rhubarb leaves because they have oxalates.
• Can Chickens Eat Dogfood? Just remember dogfood is made for dogs not chickens. Do not feed your flock dogfood!
• Do not feed your flock tobacco leaves because they contain nicotine.
• Limit the amount of spinach leaves you give your flock since they also have oxalates.

Here is an excellent article that explains the toxins and dangers in common food sources or items in your barnyard that are dangerous for your chickens.

More Helpful Posts for Your Barnyard or Backyard Flock

• QUICK CHECKLIST for RAISING BABY CHICKS {Free Printable!}
• TIPS for RAISING BABY CHICKS | Raising Chicks for Beginners
• Best Egg Laying Chickens & What They Have to Offer
• TIPS for CLEANING YOUR CHICKEN COOP
• When Do Chickens Lay Eggs & How to Tell
• How to Wash & Store Fresh Eggs | You Will Be Surprised!

In Conclusion of 13 Things to Never Feed to Your Chickens

Keep your chickens healthy by avoiding toxic foods. Safe foods help them lay more eggs and get sick less, so it’s important to know what they can eat.

Healthy chickens are productive. Take care of your flock and avoid toxic foods.

Pin It for Safe Keeping!