What NOT To Feed Chickens. As you can see, the list of foods that chickens can eat is pretty epic! It is a good natural pain reliever and high in minerals and vitamins, too. You’ll find a variety of plants that have toxic or poisonous qualities for chickens. To feed your chickens cucumbers, you can simply slice off a few pieces and leave it for them to eat. Nasturtium not only attract bugs that eat the dreaded squash beetle larvae, the leaves and flowers are also edible for humans and make wonderful salad garnish. Additionally, the seeds seem to do a great job at getting rid of nasty intestinal worms. Below are some of the health benefits the chickens can benefit from eating dandelions: Dandelions Contain Potent Antioxidants. Chickens can eat the entire dandelion plant as part of a balanced diet of green forages, seeds, and fruits. However, dandelions that have been sprayed with herbicides, pesticides and other chemicals are harmful to chickens, and even toxic in larger quantities. The entire dandelion plant is edible. The key here, is only giving them enough time to get the bugs. Plants That Are Toxic To Chickens – Listed below are common plants that are known to be toxic to chickens (and most other birds). Ensure your chickens do not have ready access to such plants, especially if you are free ranging your chickens… In general, if the food in question isn’t healthy for you, you can assume that it isn’t a suitable treat for chickens. Chickens can eat a lot of different food items– don’t forget they are omnivores, so they love both meat and veggies. Most chickens are not picky eaters and will be thrilled if you offer them anything on this list. It can be tempting to take a pale of leftovers out to your coop and dump everything right into their feed dish. Can Chickens Eat Dog Food. Always err on the side of caution; if you suspect a plant is poisonous to your chickens, rid it from […] Notes: – Chickens want the garden bugs more than they want the garden produce. Dandelion is full of potent antioxidants, which is beneficial to the health of the chickens. Instead of mowing all the dandelions down on your front lawn, why not harvest them and feed them to the chickens? Chickens that eat dandelion can benefit a lot from the plant’s nutrition. Another “weed” to consider growing is chickweed. Chickens are a popular animal. Chickweed. Although dandelions are a wild weed, they are perfectly safe and edible and provide a number of important nutrients, vitamins and minerals that support health. Chickens can eat dandelions. Your chickens will enjoy eating the roots, as well as the fresh stems, flowers and leaves. No matter if they are raised for eggs or meat or for fun, there are over 400 varieties, spanning many different breeds. But, as robust as chickens are, there are still a few things chickens cannot eat. Read More about types of chicken breeds. When you’re free-ranging chickens, acquaint yourself with the more common ornamentals and edibles that are mildly toxic to poisonous to chickens. The plants like it warm and humid and thrive in most zones throughout the country. Chickens will eat practically any type of food your throwing out, including meat. Dandelions can encourage laying, and are incredibly delicious and nutritious. ... That way your chickens can have access all the time and would even help you with the weeds. Although these omnivorous birds can eat the vast majority of the foods that we eat, there are some definite foods that chickens shouldn’t eat. FAQ. Below: Dandelions are excellent for chickens, early greens and flowers as well as being hardy. While chickens can eat a huge variety of kitchen scraps, there are a number of foods that are poisonous to chickens. Your chickens will love eating both the loeaves and the flowers, which are thought to be a natural wormer and also have antibiotic properties. I pick the flowers and leaves as soon as I start seeing them in the spring and feed them to my chickens and ducks fresh.