The Complete Guide on How and What to Feed Chickens
This complete guide covers everything you need to know about feeding chickens, including the best feed types, natural food options, feeding schedules, and what to avoid for a healthy flock.
What Can Chickens Eat? Your Ultimate Guide to Feeding Your Chickens
If you’ve got backyard chickens, you’ve probably found yourself wondering, “Can my chickens eat this?” more times than you can count (I have!). Chickens are natural foragers and love a variety of foods, but not everything is safe for them. Feeding your flock the right foods can boost egg production, improve overall health, and keep your feathered friends happy. Let’s go over some of the most common foods and whether they’re a good idea for your flock!
Foods Adult Chickens Can Eat
Chickens love a mix of kitchen scraps, nutritious vegetables, and flock treats. Here’s a list of good things you can safely feed them:
- Bell peppers – The flesh is fine, but avoid the leaves and stems since they belong to the nightshade family.
- Berries – Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are rich in antioxidants and a favorite treat.
- Cabbage – A great source of vitamins and a fun hanging treat for chickens to peck at.
- Cooked pasta and rice – Provides carbohydrates but should be fed in moderation.
- Corn (cooked or cracked) – A great energy source, especially in winter.
- Cucumbers – Hydrating and nutritious, great for hot summer days.
- Celery – Safe but should be chopped into smaller pieces to prevent choking.
- Dark leafy greens (beet greens, turnip greens, swiss chard) – Full of essential nutrients and a great source of protein.
- Eggshells and oyster shells – Provide calcium for stronger eggshells.
- Fresh fruits and vegetables – Apples (without seeds), carrots, pumpkins, and zucchini are all great choices.
- Grapes – A sweet treat, but should be cut into halves or quarters to prevent choking.
- Green beans – Safe when fresh or cooked, but never feed raw beans.
- Mealworms and insects – A high-protein treat that supports feather growth and egg production.
- Nutritious options like chick starter or complete layer feed – These are the best way to meet their nutritional needs.
- Peas – Packed with nutrients and a favorite among many chickens.
- Scratch grains – A tasty treat but should be fed in small amounts to avoid nutrient dilution.
- Sunflower seeds – A great way to give them a healthy treat with higher protein. Our chickens love the leaves, too!
- Table scraps – As long as they’re not moldy or full of unhealthy additives (packaged foods).
- Watermelon – Hydrating and full of vitamins, a refreshing summer snack.
- White rice – Safe in small amounts, but doesn’t have much nutritional value.
Foods Adult Chickens Should NOT Eat
While chickens love variety, some foods can be dangerous or even toxic. Avoid feeding them:
- Apple seeds – Contain cyanide and are harmful.
- Avocado pits and flesh of the avocado – Can cause kidney failure.
- Candy and sugary foods – Lead to obesity and digestive issues.
- Citrus fruits – Can interfere with calcium absorption, potentially affecting egg production.
- Dairy products – Chickens have a hard time digesting lactose.
- Dark chocolate – Toxic to chickens (and many other animals!).
- Moldy or spoiled food – Can cause serious illness in chickens.
- Nightshade family plants (tomato leaves, potato leaves, etc.) – Contain harmful alkaloids.
- Onions and garlic in large amounts – Can affect egg flavor and cause digestive issues.
- Raw eggs – Can encourage them to eat their own eggs. You do NOT want that!
- Raw potatoes and green potatoes – Contain solanine, which is toxic to chickens.
- Salt and salty foods – Can lead to dehydration and kidney issues.
- Stale bread in large amounts – Has little nutritional value and can cause digestive issues.
- Toxic plants and compost pile scraps – Some plants in a vegetable garden, like rhubarb leaves, contain oxalic acid, which is harmful to chickens.
- Uncooked beans or dried beans – Contain toxins that are fatal to chickens.
What to Feed Baby Chicks and What to Avoid
Baby chicks need different food than full-grown chickens to help them grow strong and healthy. Here’s what to feed them—and what to avoid—to give them the best start:
Best Foods for Chicks
- Chick starter feed – A complete starter-grower feed provides the essential nutrients young chicks need for proper growth and immune system support.
- Hard-boiled eggs (mashed) – A great source of protein and amino acids for young chicks.
- Finely chopped greens – Small pieces of dark leafy greens can provide additional nutrients.
- Oatmeal – Cooked and plain oatmeal is a gentle treat for young chicks.
- Small amounts of mealworms – A protein boost, but should be given sparingly to avoid nutrient imbalance.
Foods to Avoid for Chicks
- Dried or raw beans – Contain toxins that can be fatal for chicks.
- Uncooked rice – Can be difficult for chicks to digest.
- Avocado (flesh, skin, and pit) – Toxic to chicks just as it is to adult chickens.
- Chocolate and sugary treats – Dangerous and should never be given to any poultry.
- Citrus fruits – Can cause digestive upset and interfere with nutrient absorption.
- Large chunks of food – Chicks need smaller, easy-to-eat pieces to prevent choking.
- Table scraps and moldy food – Too risky and can cause digestive issues.
Around 8 weeks old, chicks can start switching to grower feed, and then once they hit maturity, you can move them to a complete layer feed. Just make the transition gradual so their little systems adjust smoothly.
Starter Feed vs. Grower Feed: What’s the Difference?
Starter Feed
Baby chicks need a specially formulated feed that supports their growth from hatching until they’re around 8 weeks old. It contains a higher protein content (typically 18-22%) to support rapid growth, feather development, and a strong immune system. Chick starter feed is often medicated to help prevent common illnesses like coccidiosis.
Grower or Laying Hen Feed
Grower feed is perfect for young pullets (about 8-18 weeks old) because it has just the right amount of protein—enough to support steady growth without making them gain too much weight too fast. It also keeps their nutrition balanced without too much calcium, which is important since too much before they start laying can actually be harmful.
Why the Difference Matters
Giving your chickens the right feed at each stage helps them grow strong and healthy. Starter feed gives chicks the nutrients they need early on, while grower feed keeps them growing at a steady pace without overloading them with calcium too soon. If you switch to layer feed too early, it can actually cause kidney problems and other issues, so it’s best to transition them at the right time!
How Much Do Chickens Eat Per Day?
On average, an adult laying hen eats about ¼ to ⅓ pound (4-6 ounces) of feed per day. Still, this amount can vary depending on factors such as age, breed, activity level, and whether they are free-range or confined. Also, free-range chickens often eat less commercial feed because they supplement their diet with foraged insects, plants, and seeds.
For chicks, their feed intake starts smaller and gradually increases as they grow. Young chicks typically eat 1 to 2 ounces of starter feed per day. As they mature, their dietary needs shift, and they require more feed to support growth and egg production.
Providing fresh water at all times is just as important as feed. Chickens drink about 1-2 cups of water per day, and their intake can increase on hot summer days. So, ensuring access to clean, cold water helps maintain egg production and overall health.
Best Veggies and Herbs to Grow for Chickens
Planting a garden just for your chickens is a great way to give them fresh, healthy treats while cutting down on feed costs. Here are some of the best veggies and herbs to grow for your flock:
Best Vegetables for Chickens:
- Dark Leafy Greens (Kale, Swiss chard, Beet greens, Turnip greens) – Rich in vitamins and minerals.
- Pumpkins & Squash – High in nutrients and the seeds may help with parasite control.
- Carrots – Provide beta-carotene for vibrant egg yolks.
- Zucchini & Cucumbers – Hydrating and easy for chickens to eat.
- Peas & Green Beans – High in protein and a favorite among chickens.
Best Herbs for Chickens:
- Oregano – Supports the immune system and helps prevent illness.
- Basil – Anti-inflammatory and good for respiratory health.
- Mint – Helps repel insects and cools chickens in the summer.
- Parsley – High in vitamins and promotes egg production.
- Thyme – Has antibacterial properties and supports respiratory health.
- Lavender – Calming and can help reduce stress in the flock.
Planting these vegetables and herbs in your garden ensures a steady supply of fresh, healthy treats for your chickens while also benefiting your health and grocery bill! Plus, natural foragers will love pecking at the plants and exploring the garden (if you let them!).
Final Thoughts
Giving your chickens a mix of foods is a fun way to keep them happy and healthy! Just stick to nutritious options, avoid anything toxic, and make sure their main feed meets all their needs. Whether you’re tossing them some kitchen scraps, treating them to sunflower seeds, or making sure they have fresh, cool water on hot days, keeping their health a priority is what matters most.
Got any favorite chicken treats that your flock loves? Share them in the comments!
Ready to try raising meat birds? Read about our first experience with raising meat birds, here!
About Rachel
Mom. Wife. Homesteader.
Hello and welcome! I’m Rachel, the heart and hands behind Grace Nourish Grow. My journey into homemaking and self-sufficiency has been one of transformation—trading convenience for intention, busyness for a slower, more meaningful way of living. Here, I share my love for cooking from scratch, gardening, homeschooling my boys, and embracing the beauty of a handmade, homegrown life. Whether it’s baking fresh bread, tending to our chickens, or finding rest in the everyday moments of motherhood, this space is where I document the joys and lessons of nurturing both my family and our little homestead. I’m so glad you’re here!
