Feeding chickens the wrong treats can harm their health and egg production. Discover the top foods to avoid and what’s safe to feed in moderation.

Foods You Should Never Feed Chickens — And Why It Matters

Feeding chickens isn’t just about tossing them scraps and hoping for the best. Whether you’re running a large poultry farm or keeping a few hens in your backyard, what you feed them directly impacts their health, egg production, and overall wellbeing. If you’re new to chicken keeping, the variety of feeds and advice out there can be overwhelming. And while there are plenty of safe options in the market, some foods can actually harm your flock—sometimes fatally.

Chickens are curious eaters. They’ll peck at almost anything, but that doesn’t mean everything is safe for them. Some common household foods are toxic and can cause serious health problems if ingested. Here’s a list of foods you need to avoid feeding your chickens, plus a few that should only be given in moderation.

Foods That Are Toxic to Chickens

1. Avocado (Fruit, Pits, and Skins)

Avocados contain a fungicidal toxin called Persin. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, ingestion can cause heart damage (myocardial necrosis) in many animals, including chickens. The leaves are the most toxic part, but the pits and skins are also dangerous. It’s best to keep all parts of the avocado away from your flock.

2. White Potatoes (Raw or Cooked)

Part of the nightshade family, white potatoes (including skins, vines, and leaves) contain Solanine, a glycoalkaloid poison that destroys red blood cells and can lead to diarrhea, heart failure, or death. Cooking at high temperatures may reduce Solanine, but boiling does not. Sweet potatoes, however, are safe as they belong to a different plant family.

3. Tomatoes and Eggplant (Unripe)

Green (unripe) tomatoes and immature eggplant also carry Solanine. Once fully ripe, the toxin levels drop, but it’s still safer to avoid feeding the unripe forms to chickens.

4. Apple Seeds and Stone Fruit Pits

Apple seeds, along with pits from apricots, cherries, peaches, pears, and plums, contain trace amounts of cyanide. The fruits themselves are safe to feed once cored.

5. Rhubarb Leaves

Rhubarb contains oxalic acid, which is harmful to both humans and animals. It can lead to soft-shelled eggs and should be completely avoided.

6. Raw Dried Beans

Uncooked dried beans contain Phytohemagglutinin (PHA), a natural insecticide that’s toxic to chickens. Proper soaking and cooking eliminate this toxin. Interestingly, sprouted beans are safe since sprouting breaks down PHA.

7. Onions

Onions contain Thiosulphate, which destroys red blood cells, leading to anemia, jaundice, and possibly death. Some even say onions can taint egg flavor. Unlike onions, garlic (which is in the same plant family) contains much less thiosulphate and is generally safe in moderation—especially powdered garlic added to feed.

8. Chocolate, Caffeine, and Tea Bags

Chocolate contains Theobromine, a bitter alkaloid toxic to chickens. Caffeine and tea should also be kept away from your flock entirely.

Foods to Feed in Moderation Only

Some foods aren’t necessarily toxic but can cause problems if overfed:

1. Citrus Fruits

Citrus is believed to interfere with calcium absorption, leading to thinner eggshells and reduced egg production. While a bit of citrus in a mixed fruit treat isn’t harmful, it’s best not to feed it regularly.

2. Spinach

Spinach is nutritious but high in oxalic acid, which also hinders calcium absorption. Give it as an occasional treat, not a daily staple.

3. Iceberg Lettuce

This lettuce has very little nutritional value and can cause diarrhea if fed in large amounts. Leafy greens like kale, cabbage, and collards are much better alternatives.

4. White Rice and White Bread

Both have low nutritional value. If you want to give your chickens grains, opt for whole wheat products.

5. Dairy Products (Milk, Cheese, Yogurt)

Chickens aren’t built to digest lactose. Too much dairy can lead to digestive issues and diarrhea. Feed sparingly, if at all.

A Word of Caution

Toxic foods don’t always cause instant death. Some toxins build up over time, slowly affecting your chickens’ health and productivity. Symptoms can range from diarrhea, convulsions, and kidney failure to poor egg quality, depending on the type of toxin, quantity consumed, and the chicken’s overall health.

Most chickens instinctively avoid harmful foods, but when they’re hungry or food is mixed in with regular treats, they might not be so cautious. Always ensure that treats, other than greens like grass and weeds, make up no more than 10% of their diet.

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