What can chickens eat safely?

September 17, 2026

Chickens will eat just about anything, but not everything is okay for them to eat. While most foods are safe for them in moderation (food aside from layer feed should make up less than 10% of their diet), there are a few things you should not feed them. Here are some foods that are toxic or dangerous to chickens, as well as some safe and nutritious alternative treats they are sure to love!

Foods you should NOT give your chickens:

Avocados (all parts). Avocados contain persin, a toxin that is not harmful to humans, but deadly to birds-even in small amounts.
Uncooked/green nightshade fruit and leaves (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant). Contain a toxic compound called solanine. Ripe and fully cooked fruit from these plants are generally safe when fed in moderation.
Moldy/rotten food. If you don't feel safe eating it, don’t give it to your flock. Chickens can get mold or food poisoning the same way we can.
Rhubarb. Contains high amounts of oxalic acid which impairs calcium absorption. This can lead to kidney failure or death.
Excessively sugary foods. Lots of sugar will make your chickens overweight and unable to produce eggs regularly.
Onions. Especially when given in large amounts, onions cause anemia in birds which can lead to dangerous health complications.
Chocolate. Contains theobromine and caffeine which are both harmful to chickens.
Alcohol and caffeine. Chickens are not built to be able to consume any form of alcohol or caffeine safely and these should be strictly avoided.
Excessively salty foods. Too much salt can cause dehydration or heart failure.
Apple seeds. These contain cyanide, so remove them before giving apples to your flock.

While these are some of the most dangerous foods for your flock, this is not a comprehensive list. Always play it safe, if you are unsure if a certain food is okay for your chickens to eat, look it up first!

Some safe and nutritious treats for your flock:

Watermelon. This is a flock favorite! Cool and refreshing on hot summer days.
Grapes. High in vitamins and antioxidants. Cut in halves or quarters to avoid choking.
Scrambled eggs. A great source of protein (don’t feed raw eggs, as this can encourage egg eating among your flock).
Peppers. Support feather and immune health. Chickens can even eat hot peppers because they don’t have capsaicin (spice) receptors.
Unsweetened oatmeal. This is a great treat to warm them from the inside on cold days. Mix in mealworms or layer feed for extra flavor.
Crickets and grasshoppers. Chickens greatly enjoy chasing and catching these insects, so this is a protein-filled snack that’s quite entertaining to watch!
Cabbage and lettuce. Hang these leafy greens in the coop as a boredom buster.
Papaya. Helps with digestion and is rich in vitamins.
Beets and beet greens. Full of nutrients and great served cooked or raw!
Sunflower seeds. Rich in protein and easy to scatter around the coop for foraging.