Human Food Safe to Feed Chickens: Top Treats & Tips

Allowing chickens to roam freely in your garden is a delightful experience, especially for those who have rescued commercially bred hens. Watching your chickens busy themselves around the yard is both charming and practical, as they help keep lawns trimmed naturally.

However, it’s essential to monitor what your flock eats, particularly during the warmer months when outdoor plants vary and some can be harmful. Similarly, in the colder months, natural food sources dwindle, and supplementing with safe human foods not only nourishes your birds but also prevents boredom.

Like dogs and chocolate, chickens have foods that are unsafe or outright toxic. Common offenders include onions and citrus fruits, which can lead to health issues. While opinions differ on foods such as potato peelings, it’s best to err on the side of caution. Chickens mainly obtain their nutrition from well-balanced poultry feed, but healthy treats can brighten their day.

Safe Human Foods for Chickens: Vegetables

Vegetables are a lovely treat to diversify your chickens’ diet. Always wash and prepare them appropriately, and offer in moderation alongside their usual feed.

• Asparagus
• Beetroot (including green tops)
• Beans (always cooked, never raw)
• Broccoli (flowers and leaves)
• Brussels sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage (whole head is safe)
• Carrots (including green tops)
• Corn
• Cucumber
• Eggplant
• Garlic (a raw clove in drinking water can help boost immunity)
• Peas
• Bell peppers
• Popped popcorn (unsalted, no butter)
• Potatoes (cooked; avoid peels and green parts)
• Pumpkin
• Squash
• Tomatoes (ripe, red parts only; avoid green parts and leaves)
• Turnips (cooked)
• Sprouts

Safe Fruits to Offer Your Chickens

Fruits add vitamins and natural sweetness, but always remove seeds and pits to prevent toxicity.

• Apples (seeds removed)
• Bananas (without peel)
• Berries — strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries
• Cherries (seeds removed)
• Seedless grapes
• Melons — cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew
• Peaches (pits removed)
• Raisins

Breads and Grains Suitable for Poultry

• Cooked rice
• All breads (avoid mouldy bread)
• Oatmeal (raw or cooked)
• Pasta (cooked)
• Unsugared cereals

Dairy Products That Are Safe for Chickens

• All types of cheese, including cottage cheese
• Plain yogurt (unsweetened, no flavour)

Foods to Avoid Feeding Chickens

Some foods can cause serious health problems for poultry and must be avoided completely.

• Avocado (skin, fruit and stone are toxic)
• Rhubarb (poisonous to chickens)
• Citrus fruits (may cause feather pecking and interfere with calcium absorption)
• Onions (cause Heinz anaemia)
• Uncooked beans (contain hemagglutinins that are toxic)
• Raw potato skins (contain solanine, which is harmful)
• Excess sugar and salt
• Chocolate, salty snacks and junk food

Safe Plants That Chickens Love

In addition to kitchen scraps, some garden plants are excellent safe treats that will delight your flock.

• Nasturtiums — Bright flowers your chickens will eagerly peck at if allowed.
• Beet greens — Nutrient-packed, but offer only in small amounts.
• Broccoli greens — Leaves and stems are enjoyed as treats, ensure grit is available.
• Clover — Common in lawns, favoured by poultry and good for bees.
• Dandelions — Leaves and roots make a tasty, natural snack.
• Carrot tops — Great in winter when other greens are scarce.
• Berries — Strawberries, blackberries and currants (offer sparingly).
• Sunflowers — Seeds and flower heads are protein-rich and can be stored for winter.
• Greens — Kale, cabbage, and chard provide vitamins; feed in moderation.

Responsible Feeding Tips for Happy Hens

While treats are a wonderful way to enrich your chickens’ lives, they should always be fed in moderation, constituting no more than 10% of their diet. Overfeeding kitchen scraps can upset digestion and affect overall health.

Introduce new foods gradually, observing your birds for any adverse reactions or preferences. Always ensure they continue eating a balanced commercial feed to meet all nutritional needs. Providing grit and access to clean, fresh water is essential to help digest treats properly.

Conclusion: Balanced Diet Leads to Healthy Chickens

Feeding your chickens safe human foods alongside formulated feeds provides variety, enrichment, and extra nutrients. Avoid toxic foods like avocado and onions, and choose from a range of vegetables, fruits, grains and dairy products carefully prepared and offered responsibly. This approach will keep your flock happy, healthy, and content throughout the year.

If you’re looking to expand your flock or learn more about chicken care, consider consulting local poultry keepers or visiting reputable sources for further advice.