Practical, beginner-friendly guides to raising backyard chickens — what they can and cannot eat, when hens lay, choosing breeds, and the everyday questions new keepers ask.
Keeping chickens — the essentials
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Can chickens eat…?
Chickens are natural foragers, but not every kitchen scrap is safe. Check a food before you toss it in the run.
Can Chickens Eat Apples?A crunchy, healthy treat — with one part to watchCan Chickens Eat Bananas?A soft, sweet snack that hens love — in moderationCan Chickens Eat Grapes?A flock favourite — halve them first to be safeCan Chickens Eat Strawberries?Tops and all — a sweet, vitamin-rich treatCan Chickens Eat Blueberries?A tiny, antioxidant-packed treat hens adoreCan Chickens Eat Watermelon?The ultimate hot-weather hydrating treatCan Chickens Eat Tomatoes?Ripe red fruit yes — but never the green parts or plantCan Chickens Eat Cucumbers?A cool, hydrating, low-calorie summer favouriteCan Chickens Eat Carrots?Raw or cooked, tops and all — great for yolk colourCan Chickens Eat Lettuce?Yes — but choose darker leaves over watery icebergCan Chickens Eat Cabbage?A brilliant winter boredom-buster in the runCan Chickens Eat Celery?Yes — but chop those stringy stalks smallCan Chickens Eat Pumpkin?An autumn favourite — flesh and seeds includedCan Chickens Eat Avocado?The one popular food you should never share with your flockCan Chickens Eat Onions?Why the onion family is best kept off the treat listCan Chickens Eat Potatoes?Cooked flesh yes, but green and raw parts are a real dangerCan Chickens Eat Bell Peppers?The ripe fruit is great, but the plant itself is notCan Chickens Eat Broccoli?A healthy green treat that doubles as a boredom-busterCan Chickens Eat Spinach?Fine now and then, but not an everyday greenCan Chickens Eat Corn?A firm favourite that is best kept as a treatCan Chickens Eat Bread?Not toxic, but not much use eitherCan Chickens Eat Rice?Cooked rice is a safe treat - and no, it will not make them explodeCan Chickens Eat Oatmeal?Warm porridge is a lovely winter treatCan Chickens Eat Cheese?A little hard cheese now and then does no harmCan Chickens Eat Mealworms?A protein-packed favourite, especially during the moult Ad space (paste your AdSense code here)
Keep other birds? See our pet bird care guides and wild bird guides.