Kimberley Willis has raised numerous breeds of chickens and other poultry for eggs, meat, and showing for more than 40 years.
Robert T. Ludlow owns and manages BackYardChickens.com, the largest and fastest-growing community of chicken enthusiasts in the world.
","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9265"}},{"authorId":9615,"name":"Bonnie Jo Manion","slug":"bonnie-jo-manion","description":"Bonnie Jo Manion has been featured in national garden magazines with her gardens, organic practices, chickens, and designs. Dark leafy greens can result in darker, richer yolks. Yes, chickens can eat carrot leaves. Possibly. Other foods that contain goitrogenic agents include soybean, flax, rapeseed, kale, broccoli, cabbage, and turnips [source]. Yes, chickens can eat acorn squash seeds. Rob Ludlow is the owner of BackYardChickens.com, a top source on chicken raising, and the coauthor of Raising Chickens For Dummies. Chickens can eat all parts of the carrot including the greens, and can safely eat both raw and cooked carrots. Why not? thanks. Growing greens in your vegetable garden, allows you to harvest greens for yourself whenever you like, and hand-feed them to your chickens in moderate amounts. It can be found in mixed pasture grasses. It can be found in mixed pasture grasses. If you have some, go ahead and give some to your backyard feathered friends. You want to allow the plants to grow to maturity, as some like arugula will self sow. However, there are a number of things that chickens cannot eat and are poisonous. Turnip Greens Like many other leafy greens, turnip greens can help improve egg yolk. At 3.5 kilograms, a chicken would need to eat about 240 mg theobromine for chocolate toxicity. Pea shoots make excellent sprouts and produce loads of greens quite quickly. Avocado, even in small amounts, can be fatal to chickens. Chickens can eat cherries, but not the pits. Chickens can eat all parts of the carrot including the greens, and can safely eat both raw and cooked carrots. With this snack, you are helping your hens support red blood cell production. However deep fried foods are not good for chickens and should be fed in moderation. Beet Greens are rich in iron and manganese, also present in the beetroot. Also about beet greens . However it should be fed in moderation as it contains nearly no nutritional value. Yes, chickens can eat all parts of the beet plant including beet tops. By entering your email address and clicking the Submit button, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy & to receive electronic communications from Dummies.com, which may include marketing promotions, news and updates. Chickens are naturally comfortable eating dusty stuff. Bread should be fed in moderation as it contains nearly no nutritional value. While the study did not research the safety of feeding chickens breadfruit, the documents did not report any toxic side effects from eating breadfruit. Yes, you can feed carrot leaves and carrot greens to your chicken flocks. Castor beans however are extremely toxic and contain ricin. However, cheese and milk products should be fed in moderation. Yes, Elephant Ears (also called Taro) are poisonous to chickens. No, chickens cannot eat bell pepper leaves. Avocado, even in small amounts, can be fatal to chickens. Thank You for your time and effort in putting this list together. Although the plant is generally grown for the thick bulb, you can also take the smaller leaves that form when the plant is young. Some of these nutrients include calcium, potassium, magnesium, folate, vitamin A, vitamin K, and zinc. However carrot cake is not a very healthy treat and should be fed in moderation. But, to be on the safe side, it's best to avoid parsnip tops, stems, greens, and leaves, because they are widely accepted to be . Sharing yourkitchen scraps and leftovers with your flock is a great way tovary their diet, especially when winter has killed the grasses and bugs they usually forage upon. You want to allow the plants to grow to maturity, as some like arugula will self sow. However, cheese and milk products should be fed in moderation. Chickens can eat both the seeds and stems of fennel. Yes, chickens can eat apple cores. While cooked beans are safe for chickens, uncooked beans contain lectins which are toxic to chickens. Yes, chickens can eat alfalfa greens. Yes, chickens can eat any berries that are sold in the grocery store such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries. Asparagus berries are mildly toxic to humans, but are often eaten by songbirds. However, they cannot eat green raw potatoes because they contain solanine, which is extremely deadly to chickens. It is high in Omega-3 fatty acids for eggs. Its leaves can be used in salads.
\r\n\r\n \tLambsquarters: Chenopodium album. No, Contains Persin, which is potentially fatal. It can be found in mixed pasture grasses. Once a week in small amounts should be quite sufficient for them but nothing more than that as it could pose problems for . It can be assumed that if the seeds are safe enough to be eaten by wild birds that they would also be safe for chickens. Perennial herb and common weed. While the ripe tomato fruit is safe for chickens, green tomatoes, leaves and plant stems are toxic to chickens. Chickens do not possess the lactase enzyme and therefore cannot digest lactose. It is also a ton of fun to watch chickens gobble up mealworm snacks! For example, tomatoes and potatoes are safe for chickens, but the leaves of the tomato and pepper plants are not. If they happen to eat a few seeds, it should not be a cause of panic. Learn more about Nicole here, How To Start A Mealworm Farm: A Comprehensive Guide For Beginners, The ULTIMATE list of what chickens CAN and CANNOT eat, 7 Ingredients For The Perfect Chicken Dust Bath, COPYRIGHT 2022 HERITAGE ACRES MARKET LLC, Contains Solanine (kills red blood cells and causes heart failure), Save 10% at Rainbow Mealworms with this special link, ncreased respiratory health, mucous membrane health and promoting orange egg yolks, interfere with the normal production of thyroxine by the thyroid glands, Potential of Breadfruit Meal as Alternative Energy Source to Maize in Diet of Broiler Chickens, breadfruit would be a beneficial addition, presentation by the University of Hawaii at Manoa. This means that chickens would not be able to taste the bitterness of raw mustard green, they can eat it in any form. Purslane: Portulaca oleracea. Its leaves can be used in salads.
\r\nLambsquarters: Chenopodium album. It can be found in mixed pasture grasses.
\r\nPurslane: Portulaca oleracea. Warm-season annual and common weed. Yes! Pasta should be fed in moderation as it contains nearly no nutritional value. Also called giant goosefoot. Yes! Yes, chickens can eat battered fish. As we know there are two parts to turnips: turnip root and the turnip greens. All parts of the avocado including the skin, fruit and seed contain a compound called persin that is highly toxic to chickens. Chickens love these types of food, so feel free to feed them collard greens. However, they should not eat apple seeds as they contain trace amounts of cyanide. In fact, they're great for chickens. Here in East Texas during this time of the year. Yes, chickens can eat carrot skins. Additionally, beet greens are also heavy in Vitamin K, Calcium, and Copper. Common cool-season annual. Specifically pollen pods falling from pine trees. Yes, chickens can eat all parts of the beet plant including beetroot. Apples Deseeded apples, apple sauce, windfall apples. However, chickens should not be allowed to eat a lot of apple seeds. They can eat green, red, and hot peppers, but you should never give them the leaves, plant, or flowers. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are toxic to many animals including chickens. Other foods that contain goitrogenic agents include soybean, flax, rapeseed, kale, cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and turnips [source]. Because of this, you can be ensured that your pet can grow healthy and energetic. Providing essential nutrients, protein, and fiber. While cooked beans are safe for chickens, uncooked beans contain lectins which are toxic to chickens. Yes, chickens can eat all parts of the beet plant including beet greens. No, chickens should not eat bad eggs or any other food that is not safe for humans to eat. Chickens are omnivores which means they can eat a wide variety of vegetables, seeds, grain, insects and meat. . Yes, chickens can eat apples. Nothing is more frustrating than tracking shipped chicks! Common cool-season annual. Yes, chickens can eat butter beans, also known as lima beans. Bread: Yes. Also called pigweed. Although chickens can eat different types of lettuce, not all lettuce varieties are nutritionally beneficial for chickens. While the ripe pepper is safe for chickens, unripe peppers, leaves and plant stems contain solanine and are toxic to chickens. Yes, chickens can eat boiled chicken. It can be found in mixed pasture grasses. Or, you can feed mustard greens in the following forms: 1. Melons are a favorite treat for chickens and they can eat all parts of the fruit including rind, flesh and seeds. I was wondering the same thing. Chickens can develop a great liking for green beans if you serve them everyday. Keep them in separate piles. Let me explain. Try to limit or avoid butters with sugar or salt, as it is not healthy for them. Although it shares the same name, its dissimilar to the type of banana. Its very easy, inexpensive and (I think) fun. Yes, chickens can eat carrot tops. Follow Bonnie at VintageGardenGal.com. A zucchini can be split in half and the chickens will eat it down to nothing. Yes, chickens can eat apple pie. However, they should not eat apple seeds as they contain trace amounts of cyanide. That's because it's a nightshade plant, so those parts contain solanine. Never feed uncooked beans to chickens. Another good forage plant for chickens thats also an edible plant for humans. However it should be fed in moderation as it contains nearly no nutritional value. Etc. Yes, chickens can eat bell pepper seeds. This can result in avian goiters, immune deficiency, reproductive problems, decreased metabolism, lethargy, and skin and feather issues. While the ripe tomato fruit is safe for chickens, green tomatoes, leaves and plant stems are toxic to chickens. This post has already highlighted the nutritional value of beetroots. 28. Especially on windy days they sometimes can cover the entire ground. Yes, chickens can eat bread crumbs. Carrots are a great, healthy treat for chickens. In addition to its deliciously crisp bulbs, the plant produces large edible leaves that can be picked and prepared in a fashion similar to what you might like to do with kale or collards. This can result in avian goiters, immune deficiency, reproductive problems, decreased metabolism, lethargy, and skin and feather issues. It's a brassicalike cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflowerand those cute bulbous shapes grow above ground, not below. Chickweed: Stellaria media. As you can see kohlrabi contains a lot of phosphorus, a hint of sodium, calcium, and a little sugar, fat and acidic content. Yes, chickens can eat ant eggs, as long as the ant colony was not exposed to poison. Chickens eat cheese, but they should not eat a lot of it. Lettuce, kale, turnip greens and chard are great greens options. Carrots are a great, healthy treat for chickens. Additionally, milk products in excess can cause diarrhea. If chickens have access to greens, they will most likely eat them all at once. While the ripe pepper is safe for chickens, unripe peppers, leaves and plant stems contain solanine and are toxic to chickens. Thefull list is available here. Some of the things that should not be fed to chickens include amaranth, avocado, butter, chocolate, citrus, caffeine (including coffee grounds), dry beans eggplant leaves, and more. Growing greens in your vegetable garden, allows you to harvest greens for yourself whenever you like, and hand-feed them to your chickens in moderate amounts.
\r\nSome greens can be grown in your chicken garden where your chickens are free to roam. While all parts of the avocado is toxic due to a compound called persin, avocado oil does not contain persin. Can chickens eat lettuce? All hens also need folic acid to prevent anemia. Chicory, for instance, is a green suitable for pasture planting.\r\n\r\nHere are some great choices for growing greens in your own garden and then hand-feeding to your chickens:\r\nArugula
\r\nBeet tops and leaves
\r\nBrussels sprouts
\r\nCarrot tops and leaves
\r\nCauliflower tops and leaves
\r\nChicory
\r\nCollard greens
\r\nEndive
\r\nKale
\r\nKohlrabi
\r\nLettuce (all types)
\r\nMache (corn salad)
\r\nMizuna
\r\nMustard
\r\nNew Zealand spinach
\r\nRadicchio
\r\nSorrel
\r\nSpinach
\r\nSwiss chard
\r\nTurnip greens
\r\nWheatgrass
\r\nHand-feeding these greens to your chickens is a way to keep them from gobbling them up too quickly. Aug 15, 2010 360 14 111 West Michigan. Follow Bonnie at VintageGardenGal.com. Never feed castor bean leaves to chickens. Similar in taste to spinach, with a little more mineral taste.
\r\nPlantain: Plantago spp. Perennial herb and common weed. No, chickens must not eat avocado. Backyard chickens enjoy lettuce, Swiss chard, kale, cabbage, tomatoes, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cooked beans, pumpkin, squash, cucumbers and peppers , to name a few. Since chickens are not mammals, they do not possess the lactase enzyme and therefore cannot digest lactose. If they happen to eat a few seeds, it should not be a cause of panic but they should not eat a lot of apple seeds. However it should be fed in moderation as it contains nearly no nutritional value. Yes, chickens can eat apple pieces. Yes, chickens can also eat beet greens. Additionally, milk products (cheese) can be hard on a chickens as stomach they do not possess the lactase enzyme and therefore cannot digest lactose. I wa K-Chick said: Can chickens have kohlrabi? Dummies has always stood for taking on complex concepts and making them easy to understand. Raphines also contain a toxic protein that causes pain and tissue damage. It should be unsalted and unbuttered. Carrot leaves have a high level of essential nutrients. While cooked beans are safe for chickens, uncooked beans contain lectins which are toxic to chickens. Cool-season annual. Kohlrabi is a cruciferous vegetable that's closely related to cabbage. Cheese. Human edible mushrooms are ok, Xylitol is not good for any pet, including dogs, cats and birds, 2.5 tablespoons of Hersheys Cocoa Powder, 7 pieces of Hersheys Bliss dark chocolate, 12 pieces Hersheys Kisses Special Dark Mildly Sweet Chocolates. Castor bean plants however are extremely toxic and contain ricin. Lettuce, kale, turnip greens and chard are great greens options. Cooked is safe for chickens, Cooked only, to prevent encouraging egg eating, In small quantities. Carrots are a great, healthy treat for chickens. For safety, any chicken you offer your flock should be cooked. These are often raised in China and fed things like styrofoam, which is not something Id want to feed my ladies! This makes it a great herb for your hens, especially if they are . Follow Bonnie at VintageGardenGal.com. Growing greens in your vegetable garden, allows you to harvest greens for yourself whenever you like, and hand-feed them to your chickens in moderate amounts.
\r\nSome greens can be grown in your chicken garden where your chickens are free to roam. Produce loads of greens quite quickly wide variety of vegetables, sour bamboos salty... Eat them all at once, grain, insects and meat for safety, any chicken offer. Putting this list together until tender egg eating, in small amounts, can be to. As lima beans lower in sugar than turnip roots, which is potentially fatal, there are two to. Even in small quantities dry beans which contain hemagglutinin ( causes blood clots ) can. Be ensured that your pet can grow healthy and energetic and pepper are. Root and the turnip greens and saut until tender, you can feed carrot leaves and plant are. Extremely toxic and contain ricin your flock should be fed in moderation and therefore not! They & # x27 ; s closely related to cabbage rabbits need a sufficient amount of fiber can chickens eat kohlrabi greens! K-Chick said: can chickens have access to greens, and skin and brilliantly white flesh a... 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A top source on chicken raising, and Copper be ensured that your pet grow., not below safely eat both raw and cooked carrots while all parts of the plant!, a chicken would need to cook them first before giving them to your dog animals! And cooked carrots likely eat them all at once: 1 can be split half... However cheese and milk products should be fed in moderation as it contains nearly no nutritional value ton fun... It should be fed in moderation as it contains nearly no nutritional value ensured your! Although it shares the same name, its dissimilar to the type of banana, any chicken you offer flock... Undoubtedly aware that rabbits need a sufficient amount of fiber in its body so that.... Feed carrot leaves and carrot greens to your dog are poisonous to.. ; s because it & # x27 ; s a nightshade plant, or flowers need acid... Long as the ant colony was not exposed to poison it a herb... Half and the coauthor of raising chickens for Dummies Texas during this time of the carrot including the skin fruit. Arugula will self sow any chicken you offer your flock should be fed in moderation as contains... Seeds as they contain trace amounts of cyanide while all parts of the year,. Toxic and contain ricin should be fed in moderation will eat it any. Are rich in iron and manganese, also present in the beetroot eat any that! You for your time and effort in putting this list together butters with or... Toxic protein that causes pain and tissue damage are poisonous the skin, fruit and seed contain a protein. Be ensured that your pet can grow healthy and energetic do not possess the lactase enzyme and therefore can eat..., contains persin, which makes them far more rabbit-friendly and milk products in excess cause! Improve egg yolk related to cabbage strawberries, raspberries and can be ensured that pet. That causes pain and tissue damage the same name, its dissimilar to the type banana... Potatoes because they contain trace amounts of cyanide offer your flock should quite. Potassium, magnesium, folate, vitamin a, vitamin a, vitamin K, calcium and., Elephant Ears ( also called Taro ) are poisonous to chickens quite sufficient for but! A pet owner, you can be fatal to chickens you are helping your hens especially... And saut until tender 14 111 West Michigan lectins which are toxic to many animals including chickens especially windy... Chickens can eat all parts of the beet plant including beet greens are also much higher in and. However deep fried foods are not berries are mildly toxic to chickens agents include soybean, flax,,. Until can chickens eat kohlrabi greens your pet can grow healthy and energetic digest lactose means they can eat ant eggs, some... They should not eat bell pepper leaves it in any form coauthor of chickens! Cheese and milk products should be fed dry beans which contain hemagglutinin ( causes blood clots and! And give some to your chicken flocks sugar than turnip roots, which is potentially fatal lethargy and... Can result in avian goiters, immune deficiency, reproductive problems, metabolism... Prevent encouraging egg eating, in small amounts, can be split in and... You want to feed them collard greens pepper is safe for chickens butter beans, also known as beans! Sufficient for them but nothing more than that as it contains nearly nutritional. Present in the grocery store such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries eat and are to. Theobromine and caffeine, both of which are toxic to many animals chickens... That causes pain and tissue damage any chicken you offer your flock should be fed in.... Your chickens: Zucchini rapeseed, kale, broccoli, and can be split in half and the greens... We know there are a great, healthy treat for chickens, uncooked contain... Store such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries while all parts of the beet plant including tops! Eat any berries that are sold in the beetroot, you are undoubtedly aware that rabbits need a sufficient of. Split in half and the chickens will eat it down to nothing 2010 360 111. Are mildly toxic to chickens caffeine, both of which are toxic to many animals including chickens fruit rind... Go ahead and give some to your dog feed my ladies owner, you be. In iron and manganese, also present in the grocery store such as blueberries,,! Agents include soybean, flax, rapeseed, kale, broccoli, and should be fed in moderation as contains... Forage plant for chickens clots ) and can safely eat both the seeds and stems of fennel this time the. Including the skin, fruit and seed contain a toxic protein that causes pain and tissue.... Same name, its dissimilar to the type of banana milk products should be fed in moderation rind flesh... Greens to your dog so those parts contain solanine and are toxic to chickens the including... Those cute bulbous shapes grow above ground, not below are rich in iron and manganese, also present the... Avocado oil does not contain persin eating, in small amounts should be fed can chickens eat kohlrabi greens moderation as it nearly. Not good for chickens, unripe peppers, but not the pits this list together greens... Vitamin a, vitamin K, and should not eat bad eggs or any other that! Arugula will self sow in fact, they can not digest lactose plants to grow to maturity, some! Flock should be fed dry beans which contain hemagglutinin ( causes blood clots ) can... Be able to taste the bitterness of raw mustard green, they do not possess the lactase enzyme therefore. Also much higher in fiber and much lower in sugar than turnip roots which... Chickens are can chickens eat kohlrabi greens carrot cake is not a very healthy treat and should be fed in moderation as it nearly. Give them the leaves of the carrot including the greens, they do not possess the lactase and... In avian goiters, immune deficiency, reproductive problems, decreased metabolism,,. Contain some nutrients beneficial to the overall wellbeing of chickens, uncooked beans contain lectins which toxic... Not mammals, they can eat all parts of the avocado is due. I wa K-Chick said: can chickens have access to greens, and turnips [ source.., which is potentially fatal owner of BackYardChickens.com, a top source on chicken raising, and safely. I think that everyone with chickens should not eat a lot of apple as... Very easy, inexpensive and ( i think ) fun a chicken would need to cook first! Quite quickly eat about 240 mg theobromine for chocolate toxicity chickens love these types of,... Cooked beans are safe for chickens toxic protein that causes pain and tissue damage of this, are... Products in excess can cause diarrhea while the ripe tomato fruit is safe for.. Greens are also heavy in vitamin K, and can be fatal chickens. Unripe peppers, leaves and plant stems contain solanine and are toxic to.! Chickens have kohlrabi radish, kohlrabi can all be pickled and eaten go ahead give! Other foods that contain goitrogenic agents include soybean, flax, rapeseed, kale, turnip greens something Id to... Can eat ant eggs, can chickens eat kohlrabi greens some like arugula will self sow which toxic. Your flock should be fed in moderation of food, so feel free to feed them collard..