Absolutely! Chickens love this healthy snack. Packed with vitamins, fiber and antioxidants, tomatoes make a great chicken treat. Just don't let them eat the leaves or flowers.
While tomatoes are safe for your chicken's consumption while red and juicy, their unripe state contains the compound solanine which is harmful. It's also important to be mindful that both the leaves and stems of tomatoes are part of the nightshade family and contain the same poisonous substance.
Hens should never be fed food scraps that contain anything high in fat or salt, and do not feed them food that is rancid or spoiled. Specific types of food that hens should not be fed include raw potato, avocado, chocolate, onion, garlic, citrus fruits, uncooked rice or uncooked beans [2].
Chickens will readily eat the parts of fruits and vegetables that we traditionally do not, such as carrot tops and melon rinds. Backyard chickens enjoy lettuce, Swiss chard, kale, cabbage, tomatoes, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cooked beans, pumpkin, squash, cucumbers and peppers, to name a few.
We need to remember that chickens are omnivores. This means that they have the ability to eat greens, fruits, and many meats. Because they are omnivores, the majority of foods in those categories are safe for chickens to eat. So yes, chickens can eat bananas peels.
Absolutely! They are nutritional snacks that help keep your chickens healthy. When Brussels sprouts are used as chicken feed, they offer antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, and it is good to know that you can feed them to your chickens.
Sometimes. Lettuce is generally good for your birds, but beware of the iceberg variety. Iceberg lettuce has little nutritional value and can lead to diarrhea. Stick with dark, leafy greens.
Yep – your chickens can definitely eat bananas!
Bananas are a lovely treat for your flock and a great way to make use of the overripe ones. However, they are high in sugar, so moderation is key.
Oats are an excellent source of vitamins, protein and antioxidants - and chickens love them. Raw oats can help treat pasty butt in baby chicks and warm oatmeal is a nutritious warming treat for your flock in the winter.
Not Using A Feeder
These days we have better ideas about feeding our birds since we want them to be healthy and productive. It is not recommended to just scatter feed on the floor – the floor is a dirty place to eat from.
Foods that are Safe to Feed Your Chickens
Bread – Bread, in moderation, can be fed to your chickens, but avoid moldy bread. Cooked meats – Meats should be cut into small pieces.
Yes. They love eating cheese! However, you want to do so in moderation. As a general rule of thumb, cheese (or dairy) should not make up more than 10% of your chickens diet.
The answer to the question “Can chickens eat grapes” is YES!
Grapes are a delicious, nutritious treat for your chickens to enjoy, on occasion! Your chickens will absolutely love them and it's a lot of fun to watch them chase after each grape that you toss their way.
Chickens love a little variety in their diets and adding some leftover strawberries to their meal will make them a happy flock of chickens. Strawberries are perfectly safe for your chickens, in moderation, of course.
Watermelon, strawberries, and blueberries make healthy snacks for chickens when fed in moderation. A few flock favorites include: Vegetables: Lettuce, beets, broccoli, carrots, kale, swiss chard, squash, pumpkins and cucumbers. Herbs: Lavender, mint, oregano, parsley, cilantro, thyme and basil.
Chickens hate the smell of citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit. The smell of these fruits is so strong and overpowering. Chickens tend to be more reluctant to go close to areas that smell like citrus.
Can chickens eat apples? Yes. Your girls can eat apples and apple sauce too. It's best to chop them to aid digestion although you may notice that they will peck at windfalls.
Yes. If you're considering feeding broccoli to chickens, it's best to do so in moderation and with proper preparation to ensure their safety. Verify that the broccoli is fresh, and ensure it is diced into smaller pieces to make it more manageable for your feathered friends.
Cabbage Is Healthy For Chickens Too!
Cabbage is an excellent example, it's a great source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and contains lots of vitamin K to ensure your hens are laying viable, healthy eggs. What is this? The outer leaves are edible, and although tough in texture to us, the chickens adore them.
Chickens can eat raw carrots! But before giving raw carrots to your chickens, you should wash them well. They are often covered in dirt and chemicals when you get them, and you don't want your chickens to eat harmful chemicals when trying to give them a healthy treat.
In summary, chickens can eat onions but in moderation. Both hens and chicks can have a little bit of onion, but their consumption must not exceed 0.5% of their weight. Too much sulfur from raw onions can lead to digestive issues and onion toxicosis.
Parsnips are a nutritious food source for your flock. They are related to carrots and parsley and can be fed raw or cooked. But again, raw parsnips are more easily consumed if they are grated or chopped.