If you already feed wild birds in your yard, you may have asked: can chickens eat bird seed? The short answer is yes—most commercial wild bird seed mixes are safe for chickens. However, bird seed should be considered a treat, not a staple. While chickens enjoy the variety of seeds (like sunflower, millet, and cracked … Read more
If you’re feeding scraps from your kitchen or garden, you may wonder: can chickens eat bell peppers? The answer is yes—chickens can safely eat the flesh of bell peppers, whether red, yellow, or green. Bell peppers are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and hydration, making them a healthy treat. However, avoid feeding the leaves, stems, … Read more
If you raise chickens, you’ve probably asked: can chickens eat beets? The answer is yes! Chickens can safely eat beets, including the beetroot, beet greens, and stems. Beets are packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals that support your flock’s overall health. They’re especially rich in folate, manganese, and potassium. That said, beets are best served … Read more
If you’re raising backyard chickens, you may ask: can chickens eat beans? The answer depends on how the beans are prepared. Raw or undercooked beans are extremely dangerous to chickens because they contain a toxin called phytohaemagglutinin, which can be fatal even in small amounts. However, fully cooked beans (boiled until soft) are perfectly safe … Read more
Chickens love fruit, and many owners already know they enjoy bananas. But can chickens eat banana peels? The short answer is yes, but most chickens don’t really like them. Banana peels aren’t toxic, but they are tough, fibrous, and harder to digest. If offered, peels should be cut into small pieces, boiled, or softened to … Read more
If you’re raising chickens, you’ve likely wondered: can chickens eat avocado? The answer is mostly no. While the flesh of an avocado in very small amounts may not always cause harm, the skin, pit, and especially the leaves contain persin—a natural toxin that can be deadly to chickens. Even a little can cause heart problems, … Read more
If you’re new to backyard chickens, you may wonder: can chickens eat at night? The answer is generally no. Chickens don’t eat after dark because they can’t see well at night. Once the sun sets, they naturally return to the roost and sleep. Chickens follow the rhythm of daylight, so feeding typically happens in the … Read more
If you’re growing asparagus in your garden or have extra spears in the fridge, you might ask: can chickens eat asparagus? The answer is yes—chickens can safely eat asparagus, both raw and cooked. It’s packed with vitamins A, C, E, and K, plus fiber and antioxidants. However, some owners notice that asparagus can slightly affect … Read more
If you’ve ever tossed fruit scraps into the run, you’ve probably wondered: can chickens eat apples? The answer is yes—apples are safe, tasty, and full of vitamins for chickens. But there’s an important detail: never feed the seeds. Apple seeds contain small amounts of cyanide, which can be harmful if chickens consume too many. The … Read more
Backyard keepers ask this more than you might think: can chickens eat a chicken? The truthful, slightly awkward answer is yes. Chickens are omnivores and can eat meat, including cooked chicken. In small amounts, plain, fully cooked chicken can be a protein boost—especially during molting. What you want to avoid is raw chicken (food safety … Read more