Feeding your chickens healthy kitchen scraps is a great way to supplement your regular nutritionally complete layer feed in order to provide your chickens with optimum nutrition so they can be happy, healthy, and productive. On our micro homestead I have always used a combination approach of both processed feed and kitchen scraps. I have never fed only one kind of food or the other but instead have always used both to ensure my chickens are eating the highest quality diet possible. How do you know what kitchen scraps are safe for your chickens? Below are some tips to help you get started supplementing your regular complete layer feed with kitchen scraps. *Please note* kitchen scraps are meant to be fed as treats and as a supplement to your regular layer feed, they are not a substitute or replacement for layer feed. Improper nutrition can result in reduced productivity and health issues among your chickens. I only feed kitchen scraps 3 times per week to avoid causing a nutritional imbalance within my flock.
Scratch grain which makes an excellent treat for your chickens is the equivalent of chicken junk food. It contains only 12% protein and insufficient calcium or none at all which is needed for healthy egg production. Layer feed contains 16% protein. All flock feed intended for larger birds like turkeys contains 20% protein. Scratch grain while a nice occasional treat is not a substitute for complete layer feed.
Scraps that are safe for your chickens are:
Vegetables. Almost all cooked and raw vegetables are safe for your chickens. Some great veggies to try are broccoli, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, celery ends, peppers, carrots, and peas.
Greens. Greens are a great way to introduce additional nutrition into your chicken’s diet especially if they aren’t able to free range. Some examples are: lettuce, chard, spinach, kale, and carrot greens. I also feed our flock dandelion greens.
Grains. COOKED rice, wheat, oatmeal, and other grains are safe for your chickens. Never feed these treats raw. Never feed your chickens anything raw that would expand in their stomach. These are safe but ONLY WHEN COOKED.
Fruits. The majority of fruits are safe for your chickens. I avoid more exotic or acidic fruits as a personal choice. Some safe fruits include: apples, cucumbers, berries, watermelon, pumpkin, and tomatoes (the fruit, not the greens).
Cooked meats. Lean cooked meats in small portions and cut into manageable pieces are safe for your chickens. I choose not to feed my chickens chicken meat, you can make your own call on that. My chickens enjoy occasional diced ham as a treat. You can also feed your chickens the occasional can of tuna.
Bread and noodles. Chickens can eat small portions of bread and noodles, cooked and without mold. Don’t feed your chickens moldy bread because this can make them sick and cause other health issues.
Scraps that are NOT SAFE for your chickens include:
Avocado. Avocado and avocado skins contain persin which is toxic to your chickens. Don’t feed your chickens avocado or avocado products.
Nightshade leaves. While the fruits of nightshade plants like peppers and tomatoes are safe for your chickens, the leaves are not. Do not feed your chickens the greens from tomatoes, potatoes, or peppers.
Chocolate. The theobromine in chocolate is harmful to your chickens.
Caffeine. Caffeine can impact the heartrate of your chickens and cause other health issues.
Alcohol. Alcohol is harmful to your chickens.
Highly processed extra salty, sweet, or artificially sweetened food. Highly processed snack foods and foods with diet sweeteners in them can be toxic to your chickens.
Raw meat. Raw meat can contain bacteria that is harmful to your chickens.
Spoiled, rancid, putrid, or moldy food. Don’t feed your chickens any scraps that are visibly moldy, rancid, or that smell bad. The bacteria in rotten food can harm your chickens and cause health issues.
Raw potato or potatoes. Raw potatoes have solanine in them which is toxic to your chickens. Potatoes are one of the contested foods among the backyard chicken community. Raw or cooked I choose not to feed it to my flock.
I use the rule of thumb if in doubt, throw it out, and that applies to me and my chickens. If you are questioning whether or not a kitchen scrap is safe for your chickens, I highly recommend erring on the side of caution and instead relying on your safe complete chicken layer feed.
I hope this was helpful to you! Check out Chuck’s other social media below for more backyard chicken and homesteading content.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6CjdDVs4qN1xxxJXAH6sOg?sub_confirmation=1
Chuck and the Chicks 