What Do Chickens Eat Naturally?

A Forager’s Guide to Feeding Backyard Birds

When I first started raising chickens, I was convinced I needed to buy every fancy feed on the market. Pellets, crumbles, supplements, grit mixes with herbs I couldn’t pronounce. I spent more time reading feed labels than cereal boxes at the store.

But then something shifted.

It started when Marlene, my most curious hen, took it upon herself to scratch through my compost heap. I caught her pulling up an earthworm and pecking at some leftover kale stems. She looked pleased with herself. The others soon followed.

That was the first time I thought, “Maybe they know more about what they need than I do.”

Turns out, chickens are natural foragers. And if you’ve got the space or the interest, you can absolutely support their diet in a way that’s closer to what nature intended.

Let’s get into it.

What Do Chickens Eat Naturally in the Wild?

Chickens are omnivores, and if left to their own devices, they’ll build a surprisingly well-rounded menu. Here’s what a chicken will naturally peck at in a free-ranging setup:

• Insects: Beetles, ants, grasshoppers, worms, spiders, even ticks. This is one reason you might see fewer bugs in the garden once the flock moves in.

   

• Seeds and grains: Wild grass seeds, weed seeds, and dropped grains from bird feeders or garden beds.

   

• Greens: Tender weeds like dandelion, clover, plantain, and chickweed are high on the list.

   

• Fruits and vegetables: If they can reach it, they’ll try it—ripe tomatoes, windfall apples, cucumber peels, you name it.

   

• Small critters: I’ve seen my flock chase and eat mice and frogs. I didn’t cheer, but I didn’t stop them either.
  

It’s not always glamorous, but it’s nature at work.

Can My Backyard Flock Really Forage for Most of Their Diet?

Yes, to a point.

If you’ve got enough space, and if your climate supports good insect life and seasonal greens, your hens can meet a lot of their needs through foraging.

But you’ll likely need to fill in the gaps. Especially for laying hens, who need consistent protein and calcium to keep those eggs coming.

Think of natural foraging as the base of their diet, with added support from simple supplements or occasional feed.

Natural Supplements You Can Include

These are things that support a natural diet and are often found in a backyard setup or can be provided in a low-fuss way:

• Grit: Chickens need grit (small pebbles) to grind up their food in their gizzards. They’ll often find it on their own, especially if they’re scratching in sandy or gravelly areas.
  
  If you don’t have those types of areas in your yard, you’ll want to offer free-choice grit for your ladies.

   

• Crushed eggshells: A simple calcium boost for laying hens. Just rinse, dry, and crush them up before tossing into the run.

   

• Herbs like oregano or mint: These can be scattered fresh and may support digestive balance or discourage pests. My hens particularly like basil stems.

   

• Occasional protein scraps: Mealworms or cooked meat bits are protein-rich and mimic their natural tendency to eat insects and critters.
  

BREAKOUT BOX

Jodie’s Tip: Build a “Chicken Pantry” in the Yard

I have a patch behind the coop where I scatter greens and seed heads from the garden. We call it the “chicken pantry.” In spring, it’s mostly weeds and bolted lettuce. In summer, it’s squash leaves, overripe strawberries, and cucumber ends.

It doesn’t replace their feed entirely, but it keeps them busy and well-fed. Plus, they seem happier when they’ve got something to hunt for.

How My Girls Eat Naturally When Left to Forage

I’ve seen them chase grasshoppers like it’s a sport, dig up the garden mulch for earthworms, and strip the kale leaves from plants I forgot to fence off.

They’ll find all sorts of goodies in the compost pile too, especially after I’ve tossed out melon rinds, overripe cucumbers, or corn cobs.

Some mornings, I scatter a handful of scratch grain and kitchen scraps just to keep them busy. But honestly, they find more than enough to eat on their own when conditions are right.

Benefits of a More Natural Diet

• Lower feed bills: If you’ve got a big yard and decent bug life, your chickens will need much less commercial feed.

   

• Healthier eggs: Free-range diets often lead to richer yolks and stronger shells.

   

• Pest control: Chickens naturally reduce insect populations.

   

• Mental stimulation: Foraging keeps chickens engaged and reduces boredom-related behaviors like pecking.
  

Just make sure they’re not eating anything harmful and that they still have access to fresh water and grit.

BREAKOUT BOX

? Jodie Says

“Some days, I just sit and watch them scratch around the yard. It’s like they’re running their own little restaurant, bug of the day, weed on special, and all the scraps they can steal when I turn my back.”

What Should Chickens Avoid Eating, Even in a Natural Setup?

Even a natural diet has boundaries. Keep these off the menu:

• Avocado pits and skins: Toxic to chickens (read more on that here)

   

• Moldy or spoiled food: Fermented scraps might sound natural, but mold can make them sick

   

• Green potato peels: These contain solanine, which is harmful (you can read our full breakdown on potatoes and chickens)
  

You can find more safety info on individual foods in our articles about bananas, tomatoes, grapes, and more.

Do Chickens Need Commercial Feed at All?

Most backyard chicken keepers still use some commercial layer pellets or crumbles. I do, especially during the winter or molt season. It’s just easier to make sure they’re getting everything they need.

But if you’ve got good forage space, a compost pile, and some garden extras, you can reduce your feed bill a fair bit.

If you’re mixing your own feed or going light on store-bought, I’d suggest looking into a quality vitamin or mineral mix as backup. It doesn’t take much, and you don’t need to go overboard.

If you’re going heavy on the DIY side of feeding, you can check this University of Missouri Extension guide for a basic outline of poultry nutritional needs.

What to Watch For

If your chickens are relying mostly on natural foods, pay attention to:

• Weight and condition: Are they too thin? Losing feathers outside of molt?

   

• Egg quality: Thin shells can mean low calcium.

   

• Droppings: Watery or odd-colored droppings could point to digestive upset or imbalance.

   

• Seasonal changes: Bugs disappear in winter. Keep an eye on their nutrition and be ready to supplement.
  

What Do Chickens Eat Naturally? Final Thoughts From the Coop

Letting your chickens eat more naturally doesn’t mean going all or nothing. It’s about giving them chances to act like chickens, scratching, pecking, tasting, and choosing.

Marlene still goes for the compost bin first thing every morning. Doris prefers the flower beds. Henrietta hunts bugs like it’s her full-time job. And Betty? She’s the queen of the cucumber patch.

They each know what they like. Our job is just to keep what chickens eat naturally safe and varied.

And honestly, it’s a joy to watch.