Milly Gaines
Chickens need a balanced diet to support good health. Their diet should be high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Chicken feed is carefully formulated to give your chickens a balanced diet and good health. Commercial chicken feeds are designed to meet the nutritional needs of chickens at different life stages. Chicken treats should be healthy and wholesome and can be given in moderation to complement their diet. Fruits, vegetables, grains, and insects are great treats for chickens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet type | Balanced, complete, and varied |
| Diet contents | Vegetables, fruits, grains, insects, and healthy treats |
| Protein | 16-18% of the total diet |
| Fat | 4-4.5% of the total diet |
| Carbohydrates | Higher amounts during winter |
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What You'll Learn
A balanced diet
Protein is crucial for egg production and overall health. Animal or insect proteins are ideal, as they provide more balanced and easily absorbable amino acids. Free-range chickens, or those that eat scraps, require more protein than those that consume only feed. You can supplement their diet with dried mealworms or healthy treats with higher protein content.
Chickens also enjoy grains, fruits, and vegetables. Healthy treats can include grains like corn or oatmeal, fruits like apples, blueberries, strawberries, and watermelon, and vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, green beans, and lettuce. Dark leafy greens like kale, turnip greens, and chard can result in darker and richer yolks. However, it is important to offer these treats in moderation, as they are high in calories and fat.
It is important to avoid feeding chickens mouldy, rotten, or very salty foods, as these can be toxic and cause health issues. Chocolate, avocado, junk food, tomato plants, and raw potatoes should also be avoided, as they can be harmful to chickens.
Chickens' dietary needs may vary depending on breed, age, and weather conditions. During the winter, carbohydrates are essential for energy, while in the summer, their diet can shift to include more protein.
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Fruits and vegetables
Chickens are omnivores and can eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. Their diet should be primarily made up of high-quality layer feed, but fruits and vegetables can be included as treats or supplements. It is important to ensure that they are fed a nutritionally balanced diet and that they are getting enough protein and calcium.
Fruits that chickens can eat include apples, blueberries, strawberries, melons, kiwis, and cantaloupes. Citrus fruits, however, should be avoided, as well as rhubarb, avocado (skins and pits), and apricot pits and leaves. While the flesh of the avocado is safe for chickens to eat, the seeds and skins are toxic.
Chickens can also eat a variety of vegetables, including dark leafy greens such as lettuce, kale, turnip greens, chard, and cabbage. Other vegetables that are safe for chickens to eat include beets, broccoli, carrots, swiss chard, squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, and bell peppers (but not the stems, leaves, or flowers). Vegetables like garlic and onions should be avoided, as they can impact the flavor of the eggs.
In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, chickens can also be fed cooked vegetables, grains, and kitchen scraps. It is important to ensure that any treats or scraps do not exceed 10% of the chicken's daily feed consumption to avoid creating a nutritional imbalance.
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Treats and snacks
Chickens enjoy a variety of treats, including fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, and even meat or protein. Some healthy treats to feed your chickens are:
- Dark leafy greens such as lettuce, kale, turnip greens, and chard, which can result in darker, richer yolks.
- Watermelon, strawberries, and blueberries are healthy snacks when fed in moderation.
- Vegetables such as beets, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, and pumpkins.
- Herbs like lavender, mint, oregano, and basil.
- Bird seed, but only as a snack, not as a full diet, as it is often high in fat.
- Blackberries, which are nutrient-dense and rich in fibre.
- Almonds, considered one of the healthiest snacks for chickens.
- Raw or cooked carrots, including the tops and peels.
- Cauliflower, a low-calorie snack that provides beneficial nutrients.
- Bread, but only in moderation, and preferably whole wheat or whole grain.
It is important to avoid certain foods that may be harmful to chickens, such as avocado pits and skins, citrus fruits, chocolate, mouldy or rotten foods, and undercooked or dried beans. Additionally, treats high in sugar or salt should be avoided, as they can lead to health issues in chickens.
Chickens can also be given table scraps as treats, but it is important to ensure that these are healthy and not the bulk of their diet. The same nutrition rules apply to treats as they do to formulated feeds, so it is crucial to understand potential problem foods and their impacts on chickens and egg production.
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Protein and vitamins
Protein is one of the most important factors for egg production in chickens. Studies on commercial breeds like ISA Browns suggest that a diet of 16-18% protein is optimal for laying hens. Animal or insect proteins are best as the amino acids are more balanced and easier to absorb. Extra protein is beneficial for most backyard flocks. Free-range chickens and chickens that eat scraps need more protein than chickens that only eat feed.
Chickens that are allowed to free-range will eat some insects and forage, but they will not meet their dietary needs through foraging alone. They need the same diet as a laying hen, perhaps with a little extra protein.
Chickens need a balanced diet to support good health. Their diets will tend to shift with the seasons, focusing on protein during the summertime and carbohydrates in the winter. In the winter, carbohydrates are a great source of energy for chickens. Chickens should eat food that is primarily made up of carbohydrates, or they won't get the proper nutrients to stay healthy. In the summertime, when feed is more readily available, you can feed your chicken layer feed with higher protein levels (18% or greater).
Healthy chicken treats can be a great source of protein, but they should be fed in moderation because they are high in calories and fat. These include grains with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, such as Purina® Farm to Flock™ Treats, which come in both 13% protein and 20% protein options. The high-protein option provides an extra nutritional boost to keep birds strong during times like moulting.
Chickens tend to go for high-energy foods, just like humans, because these are rare in the natural environment. Simple carbohydrates like pasta, bread, and corn, sugar in fruit, and fat in sunflower seeds are examples of foods that chickens will naturally be drawn to. In moderation, these foods are okay for chickens, but they lack protein and can cause health issues when eaten in large amounts.
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Carbohydrates and energy
Carbohydrates are a crucial component of a chicken's diet, especially during the winter months. They provide a great source of energy and help chickens stay warm and active during the colder season. While simple carbohydrates like pasta, bread, and corn are attractive to chickens, they should be given in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Chickens tend to favour high-energy foods, which are typically rare in their natural environment. In addition to corn, they enjoy eating sunflower seeds. However, it is important to remember that these foods lack sufficient protein, and if consumed in large amounts at the expense of a more nutritious layer feed, they can lead to health issues.
To ensure a balanced diet, it is recommended to provide chickens with a complete feed that includes a variety of nutrients. This can be supplemented with healthy treats, which should ideally make up no more than 20% of their feed intake. Overfeeding treats can lead to overweight chickens, which may develop health problems.
When it comes to treats, chickens can be offered grains, fruits, and vegetables. Whole grains such as corn and oatmeal are relished by chickens and can be given as special snacks. Fruits like apples, blueberries, strawberries, and watermelon are also suitable, but in moderation. Vegetables, including carrots, cucumbers, green beans, and dark leafy greens such as lettuce, kale, and Swiss chard, are nutritious options. These treats not only provide variety but also contribute to a well-rounded diet.
In addition to carbohydrates and treats, it is important to ensure that chickens receive adequate protein. Animal or insect proteins are particularly beneficial due to their balanced amino acid profile and ease of absorption. Free-range chickens and those consuming scraps tend to require more protein than those solely on feed.
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Frequently asked questions
Healthy treats for chickens include fruits like apples, blueberries, strawberries, and watermelon, and vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, green beans, and lettuce. Dark leafy greens like kale, turnip greens, and chard can result in darker, richer yolks.
Foods that are high in sugar, salt, or fat, such as chocolate, avocado, and junk food, should be avoided. Tomato plants and raw potatoes can be toxic to chickens. Moldy or rotten foods can result in excessively wet feces and may also be toxic.
Chickens should eat a well-balanced diet of feed that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Their diet should include all the necessary vitamins and nutrients. Commercial chicken feeds are designed to meet the nutritional needs of chickens at different life stages. Chicken owners should provide their chickens with a complete feed, not a grain mix where they can pick out their favorite things.
On average, each chicken should eat about half a cup of feed per day. Overfeeding your chickens can lead to health problems and unnecessary costs. Chickens will also need access to an adequate supply of fresh, clean water. A good rule of thumb is to provide one quart of water for every four chickens.
