Chickens love to peck and eat all kinds of food. But not everything is good for them!
In fact, there are some toxic foods for chickens, which can be very dangerous.
If your chickens eat them, they can become very sick…or worse.
As a chicken owner, it’s your job to keep your flock safe.
That means knowing which foods to feed and which ones to avoid.
In this article, you will learn about:
- The foods that are toxic to chickens
- What makes them poisonous
- What you can do when they accidentally ingest them
Toxic Foods for Chickens: But First, What Does “Toxic” Mean?
“Toxic” means poisonous or harmful.
If a food is toxic to chickens, it can hurt their body or even cause death.
Sometimes it only takes a little bit of the wrong food to make a chicken sick.
That’s why it’s so important to never feed toxic foods to chickens, even as treats.
Top 5 Most Common Toxic Foods for Chickens
Here are the most common toxic foods for chickens you should never feed them:
1. Avocado (Especially the Pit and Skin)
- Contains a toxin called persin
- Can cause heart problems, breathing trouble, or death
- Even a little can be harmful
Tip: Never give your chickens guacamole or avocado scraps.
COMPLETE FEEDING GUIDE: Can Chickens Eat Avocados? The Answer Is Maybe
2. Raw or Dried Beans
- Raw beans contain phytohemagglutinin, a toxin that is also known as a lectin
- Just a few can kill a chicken
- Cooking destroys the toxin, but it’s better to avoid it completely
Warning: Even soaking dried beans is not enough to make them safe.
ALSO READ: Can Chickens Eat Green Beans?
3. Chocolate and Candy
- Contains theobromine and caffeine
- These affect the heart and nervous system
- Sugar and artificial colors are also harmful
Note: What’s a treat for you is a danger for your hens!
ALSO READ: Can Chickens Eat Chocolate Cake?
4. Green Potato Skins and Sprouts
- The green parts of potatoes have solanine, a poison
- Can cause diarrhea, weakness, and death
Safe Tip: Only feed cooked, peeled potatoes in small amounts.
COMPLETE FEEDING GUIDE: Can Chickens Eat Potatoes? The Answer Will Surprise You
5. Moldy or Rotten Food
- Mold can make toxins like mycotoxins
- These can cause paralysis, sickness, or death
- Chickens can’t always tell good food from bad food
Rule: If you wouldn’t eat it, don’t give it to your chickens.
Other Foods That Can Be Harmful
Some foods aren’t deadly but can still cause problems for your chickens. These include:
- Citrus fruits – May affect calcium absorption and egg production
- Onions – Can cause anemia (low red blood cells)
- Garlic (in large amounts) – Okay in small doses, but too much can make eggs taste funny
- Raw meat – Can cause aggressive behavior or spread disease
- Salty foods – Chickens don’t process salt well
- Alcohol or soda – Never safe for chickens!
Complete List of Toxic Foods For Chickens
| Food Item | Why It’s Dangerous |
|---|---|
| Avocado (especially skin & pit) | Contains persin, a toxin that can cause heart failure |
| Raw or dried beans | contains phytohemagglutinin, a deadly toxin |
| Chocolate | Contains theobromine and caffeine |
| Caffeinated drinks | Affects the heart and nervous system |
| Alcohol | Highly toxic to birds |
| Green potato skins | Contains solanine, a poisonous compound |
| Tomato leaves & stems | Contains solanine and tomatine |
| Rhubarb leaves | Contains oxalic acid, which is toxic |
| Onions | It can cause anemia by destroying red blood cells |
| Large amounts of garlic | In excess, it can affect the flavor of eggs and cause health issues |
| Citrus fruits | May interfere with calcium absorption |
| Apple seeds | Contain small amounts of cyanide |
| Cherry pits | Also contains cyanide |
| Peach and apricot pits | Contain cyanogenic glycosides |
| Moldy or spoiled food | May contain mycotoxins |
| Raw meat (especially spoiled) | Can carry disease and cause aggression |
| Salty foods (chips, crackers) | Chickens can’t process too much salt |
| Sugary foods | Can lead to obesity and poor egg production |
| Greasy, fatty foods | Hard to digest and not nutritious |
| Uncooked rice | It can swell in the crop and cause blockages |
| Yeast dough (raw) | Expands in the stomach and can cause bloating |
| Highly processed foods | Contain chemicals, preservatives, and too much salt or sugar |
| Candy or gum (with xylitol) | Artificial sweeteners can be toxic |
| Bones (especially sharp) | Can splinter and injure the throat or crop |
| Lawn clippings (treated or fermented) | May contain pesticides or harmful bacteria |
| Eggplants (leaves and stems) | Contain solanine, like potatoes and tomatoes |
| Nightshade plants | Includes peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants—all have toxic parts |
| Certain mushrooms (wild) | It may be poisonous to chickens, just like humans |
Safe Feeding Tips for Chickens
To keep your flock healthy, follow these feeding tips:
- Give fresh, clean food and water every day
- Stick to chicken feed for balanced nutrition
- Offer healthy treats like:
- Never feed toxic foods for chickens like chocolate, avocado, or raw beans
- Don’t leave food scraps in the run overnight (it can attract pests and spoil)
What Happens If a Chicken Eats Something Toxic?
If a chicken eats something bad, it might show signs of being sick.
Here are the signs and symptoms to look out for:
- Weakness or not moving
- Diarrhea or messy feathers
- Breathing problems
- Not eating or drinking
- Lying down or acting sleepy
What to do:
- Remove the toxic food right away
- Separate the sick chicken
- Call a vet or poultry expert if symptoms don’t go away
It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
ALSO READ: How To Do A Chicken Health Check (Checklist Included)
How to Teach Kids to Feed Chickens Safely
If you have kids helping with the chickens, it’s a great opportunity to teach them about safe feeding practices.
Try these ideas:
- Make a chart of good and bad foods
- Color pictures of happy, healthy chickens
- Make a food-sorting game using toy food
- Create a “chicken treat checklist” to post near the coop
When kids know about toxic foods for chickens, they become great little helpers!
How to Make a Safe Chicken Snack Station
Want to spoil your chickens safely? Create a snack station with only safe and healthy foods.
Use a tray or bowl and fill it with:
- Chopped lettuce or kale
- Corn kernels (not moldy or salted)
- Sliced cucumber or zucchini
- A scoop of oats or sunflower seeds
- A few dried mealworms
Put it out during playtime and watch your flock enjoy their healthy snacks!
QUICK GUIDE: 9 Healthy Treats Your Chickens Will Love
Toxic Foods for Chickens: Before You Go…
Your chickens rely on you to feed them the right things.
Some human foods are toxic treats for chickens, and even a small bite can be very harmful.
Always check before giving scraps or treats.
When in doubt, stick to chicken feed and safe fruits and veggies.
By learning what’s safe and what’s not, you’re being a great chicken keeper! And your chickens will thank you for it!
Want a full list of tasty treats for your hens? Check out this video: