Cindy wrote to ask this…
“Can chickens eat bird seed? I have bird feeders and the seeds fall out.”
Is Bird Seed Safe for Chickens?
Yes, chickens do fine with eating bird seed. It cannot replace their regular feed, though (some people have wanted to buy the less expensive bird seed and it doesn’t work). If the bird seed is just a supplement, your pet chickens will be fine.
Actually, some people intentionally spread some bird seed on the ground to give their chickens another thing to peck at. So you should be fine with allowing your pet chickens to scratch below your bird feeders and eat the seed that falls out.
Chickens are quite clever at knowing what they need to keep healthy and to prevent deficiencies, so as long as they have access to what they need, they should keep strong and lay you lots of delicious eggs.
Why Bird Seed Alone Isn’t Enough for Chickens
Bird seed does provide some nutrients, but it’s not a complete food for chickens. While bird seed can add variety, it’s low in protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients needed for chickens to thrive.
Relying solely on bird seed can lead to nutritional deficiencies, weakened egg shells, and lower energy levels in chickens.
The general recommendation is that chickens should be provided with a good quality poultry pellet as the base of their diet. There are different type designed for their stage of life – whether a layer, or a growing hen who is to be a layer (known as a pullet, learn more in this excellent video).
These egg layer pellets from CountryMax have had very good reviews by those who have purchased it and fed it to their chickens, and are worth considering.
Hen owners who have purchased this feed have reported excellent eggs with strong shells, as well as fussy chickens jumping in and eating it without complaint!
Preventing Pest Problems When Feeding Chickens Bird Seed
One concern some people have with feeding bird seed is that it can attract pests, such as rodents, if left out or scattered on the ground. To prevent this, consider using an automatic chicken feeder that releases food only when needed. These feeders help contain the food, keep it fresh, and prevent pest issues in your yard.
Using an automatic feeder can also keep the feeding area cleaner, as chickens won’t scatter seeds and grains around as much, reducing the chance of attracting unwanted pests.
Bird Seed and Other Treats for Chickens
As with the bird seed, it’s ok if some wheat or corn is scattered around for them to eat, but they need ample protein, calcium and minerals to provide you with great eggs.
A good supply of fresh fruit and veges are also important to keep chickens healthy and they should have access to them every day. These can just be kitchen scraps, but must be fresh – mouldy, spoiled or spoiling food can make chickens sick.
They are chickens, not a garbage disposal!
What Shouldn't I Feed My Pet Chickens?
Definitely avoid feeding chickens citrus, garlic or onion, chocolate or avocado as these are known to be very bad for chickens. Don’t given them mower clippings as they can get mouldy quickly. Another bad food for chickens is rhubarb.
As with any living creature, a constant supply of fresh, clear water should be provided. In very hot climates make sure they don’t run out and in cold climates where the water may ice over or freeze, make sure this is replaced each morning.
It’s okay to feed chickens ‘table scraps’ such a brown (or wholemeal) rice, rolled oats, legumes and the like, but remember – whole foods are best for chickens (as they are for humans) and so keeping processed foods as a ‘sometimes’ food for chickens is a good idea. Foods such as bread and cooked pasta aren’t really meant to be consumed by chickens, but won’t hurt them in small amounts.
Healthy Digestion and Strong Eggshells
One other thing to mention is that for laying hens, a supply of coarse shell grit is important. Chickens don’t have teeth and they rely of a supply of fine grit that doesn’t dissolve in order to grind down their food.
Sometimes chickens can get this grit from the ground they live on, but you can never be sure so it’s easy to just provide some shell grit.
Laying hens also need a good supply of calcium, as egg shells are primarily make up of calcium carbonate.
If they don’t get enough calcium, they can lay eggs that crack easily.
Oyster shell grit is a common one and works quite well, because its a natural, slow-release source of calcium. Crushed oyster shells are the best option because they stay in the digestive tract longer, which helps with the calcium absorption for your hens.
We have been long time users of the Manna Pro Crushed Oyster Shell. If your pet chickens like it, you can also buy in packs of 6 so you always have some handy!
A good quality chicken feed will also contain added calcium.
If you REALLY want to make your hens happy, Wormsking black soldier fly larvae have rave reviews by more than 3,000 buyers on Amazon!
So Chickens CAN Eat Birdseed
Yes, you can safely give your feathered friends birdseed. We personally prefer other treats and scratch for them, but you might like to share some birdseed as a treat for your hens. Remeber that it is a treat though, and like all treats are on top of a balanced diet.
There you have it Cindy! I hope that answers your question about if your chickens can eat bird seed.
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Common Questions About Feeding Bird Seed to Chickens
Q: Can chickens safely eat bird seed every day?
A: Feeding chickens bird seed occasionally is generally safe, but it shouldn’t replace a balanced poultry diet. Bird seed can be a fun treat, but it doesn’t provide all the nutrients chickens need for health and egg production. For daily feeding, it’s best to rely on a high-quality chicken feed like Purina Organic Scratch Grains or Scratch and Peck Whole Grain Layer Mash, which offer the right balance of protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients.
Q: How can I make sure my chickens are getting enough protein?
A:Protein is essential for chickens to maintain energy levels, produce strong eggs, and grow healthy feathers. If you’re feeding bird seed as a treat, consider supplementing it with high-protein options like mealworms or a quality feed specifically made for laying hens. Mealworms are a favorite among chickens and an easy way to boost protein intake.
Q: Will feeding my chickens bird seed attract pests to my yard?
A: Yes, bird seed can attract pests like rodents if it’s left out too long or scattered on the ground. To minimize this, consider using an automatic chicken feeder that keeps food contained and only releases it as needed. These feeders help prevent waste, reduce pest problems, and ensure your chickens have a clean and secure feeding setup.
It should be ok to give them a wild bird seed suet cake to peck at once in a while then,right? Haven’t been able to let them outside lately or they wouldn’t venture out into the snow covered ground. They get veggies on ropes to peck at & some chicken crack with mealy worms in the evening for a treat (digestion helps keep them warm I’ve read).