Some people refer to chickens as "two-legged pigs" and they will feed them anything. It is the chickens' natural behavior to compete for fresh food and they will eat it quickly regardless of what you feed them. "Can chickens eat bread?" is a frequently asked question among new chicken owners.

We'll look at whether chickens should eat bread as well as a variety of other foods you should avoid feeding your chickens.

There are certain foods that you should not feed your chickens. What you don't want is for the chickens to overeat low-nutrient foods while missing out on the benefits of high-nutrient foods.

Can Chickens Consume Bread?

Bread is a popular food that well-meaning people give to chickens and ducks. The issue with feeding bread to chickens is that it can easily form a ball in the crop causing catastrophic blockages. The gizzard of a chicken is not designed to handle large amounts of this type of food.

If fed in large quantities yeasts and sugars in bread can ferment in the crop increasing the pH of the crop contents and changing the bacteria and other microbiomes that grow in the chicken's gizzard and crop. This can then lead to chronic cases of sour crops that are extremely difficult to treat.

In short, no, you should not feed bread to chickens because it has very little nutritional value and in large quantities can cause blockages or sour crops. Small amounts of stale bread can be fed to your chickens but moldy bread should be avoided because mold spores can irritate their breathing passages.

If you must feed bread to your chickens try breaking it up and soaking it overnight in apple cider vinegar and water. This will both increase the acidity, making it easier to digest and break up the fibres, preventing them from balling up in their crop.

Ducks should not be given large amounts of bread to eat. A small amount of bread will not harm a duck but it should not be the mainstay of their diet.

Here are three foods you should not feed your chickens

1Dairy products and milk

Some people who have an orphan baby chick mistakenly believe that because baby chickens are small animals they require milk but this is not true.

Chicks should be fed a specially formulated chick starter feed to begin with.

Chickens, it turns out, are lactose intolerant! Milk is high in protein and other minerals but the lactose content can cause stomach upset in birds.

If you do give milk products try small amounts of cultured ones such as yogurt or cheese which contain far less lactose.

2Oatmeal or porridge

Although there is nothing wrong with a small amount of porridge or oatmeal, oats are extremely low in protein and fat both of which chickens require.

Porridge, on the other hand, fills up a chicken's stomach leaving no room for the high-nutrient foods they require.

Oats contain almost no vitamin A, D, or E and are high in beta glucans which birds cannot digest. When there are too many beta glucans in the gut they form sludge and cause blockages.

Commercial chicken feed contains oats, usually as a bulking agent, but they are whole uncooked oats that have been crushed rather than cooked oats.

3. Uncooked Eggs

Backyard chicken eggs should not be fed back to the flock. Some people use eggshells to get calcium. To be safe, however, oyster shell grits are a better calcium source.

This is due to two factors:

1 - It can encourage chickens to seek out and consume their own eggs.

2 - Salmonella can be carried by chickens; raw eggs from contaminated chickens will spread the disease to your flock.

If you want to feed your chickens eggs, scramble them, cook them and heat the shells for at least 20 minutes in a hot oven to kill any bugs.

The egg shells can then be crushed so that they are unrecognizable to the chickens in the coop.

Here are some other foods to avoid feeding your chickens:

● Onions and garlic can impart an unpleasant flavor to the eggs.

● Fresh potato peels, particularly those with a green tint, contain a toxin known as solanine.

● Avocado pits and skins both contain persin, a potentially fatal toxin.

● Avoid feeding rhubarb and citrus to your flock.

● Undercooked or dried beans contain hemaglutin, an avian toxin.

In general, a well-fed chicken will not attempt to eat toxic foods because their only taste buds are for bitter foods, which are usually toxic, and they are very good at not eating them!

Feed a balanced commercial feed first, then allow the chickens to eat their other food, treats or forage later in the day. This will ensure that they receive adequate nutrition for growth and egg production.

Commonly asked questions about what you can feed chickens from a chicken keeper

Can chickens consume grapes?

Yes, chickens like grapes and if you throw them at your flock they will rush after them and argue over them.

Grapes are very sweet and mostly made up of water and sugar, so they should be reserved as a special treat for your flock rather than the foundation of a nutritionally complete chicken feed.

Can chickens eat raw rice?

Uncooked rice is difficult to digest and will expand and absorb a large amount of water in the chicken's gullet. Rice flour will congeal and become clogged. Rice has a low nutritional value and is high in simple starches making it an unsuitable chicken food.

If you're going to feed rice to your chickens it should be cooked or crushed (not powdered) and mixed in with their other grains to dilute it.

Small amounts of cooked rice can be fed to your chickens; this is unlikely to cause problems in your flock. However, keep this as a treat and give it after they have eaten their regular grain feed so that you know they are getting their full nutrition.

Can chickens consume bananas?

Chickens love bananas and will even eat the banana peels. They are high in vitamins B6, C, and A, as well as niacin, iron, magnesium and other trace elements.

Can chickens consume chocolate?

Chickens should not consume chocolate or coffee. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are toxic.

Theobromine content increases with cocoa content and chocolate color making it more dangerous to your chickens.

Can chickens consume strawberries?

Strawberries are nutritious and healthy for chickens to eat on occasion. Strawberries are high in nutrients and low in sugar.

Because chickens will eat the leaves of strawberry plants, it is best to fence off your garden if you have free-roaming chickens.

Can chickens consume broccoli?

Chickens eat both the heads (florets) and the leaves of broccoli. Broccoli plant stems are too tough for your hens to peck at unless they are cooked. Broccoli plant parts are all safe and nutritious for chickens to consume.

Can chickens consume cabbage?

Cabbage is an excellent distraction for bored chickens. Hang a head of cabbage from a rope in the chicken coop and watch the chickens peck at it and eat it all. Cabbage is good for chickens and they eat it raw or cooked; only the toughest part of the stem is left. Chinese cabbage, red cabbage, pak choi and regular green cabbage are all acceptable.

Can chickens consume raisins?

The occasional raisin is safe to feed your chickens in small quantities. However, large amounts of raisins can cause renal failure in many animals, including chickens.

The high sugar content of raisins is also harmful to chickens.

Can chickens consume oatmeal?

Small amounts of oats are fine to feed chickens. Large amounts of cooked oatmeal can cause a build-up of glutenous sludge in the chicken crop resulting in sour crop.

To avoid this offer large one-time servings of cooked oatmeal and combine it with other foods.

Can chickens consume blueberries?

Yes, chickens enjoy eating blueberries and will quickly strip a blueberry bush. Blueberries are a healthy low-sugar snack that your hens will enjoy.

Don't be surprised if the color of their manure changes after eating blueberries.

Can chickens consume raspberries?

Raspberries, raspberry leaves and raspberry seeds are all safe to feed to chickens. They enjoy eating these fresh berry snacks and if you want any for yourself you must install a chicken proof fence.

Can chickens consume avocado?

Chickens are generally very good at avoiding eating things they should not eat. Avocado pits and skins are toxic to chickens because they contain a toxin called persin and chickens will not eat them; however, avocado flesh is safe for chickens to eat.

Can chickens consume watermelon?

Chickens love watermelon and will consume both the fruit and the rind. Watermelon is mostly water,so it's a good way to give your chickens extra water on hot days.

Can chickens consume tomatoes?

Tomato fruit is good for chickens to eat because it contains vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to them. Tomato plant leaves and stems are toxic and should not be fed to chickens. Green tomatoes and green potatoes should not be fed to chickens.

Can chickens consume cherries?

Excess cherries can be fed to chickens who eat them raw or cooked. Be aware that the dark red cherries' manure will change color; this will not harm them, but it may stain your pathways and patios for a while.

Can chickens consume cilantro?

Chickens can be fed cilantro, also known as coriander greens. This plant is high in vitamins A and K, as well as several antioxidants which are good to feed to your chickens.

In conclusion, chickens can consume bread, but it should be given to them in moderation as a treat rather than a staple food. While bread is not inherently toxic to chickens, it lacks the essential nutrients they need for optimal health and egg production.

It can also lead to health issues if fed excessively or exclusively. It's important to provide chickens with a balanced diet that includes a variety of feed specifically formulated for their nutritional needs.

Additionally, there are three important items that should never be fed to chickens:

1. Processed Foods: Chickens should not be fed heavily processed foods such as sugary snacks, salty foods or greasy leftovers.

These items are not suitable for their digestive system and can lead to health problems like obesity, digestive issues or nutrient imbalances.

2. Moldy or Spoiled Food: Moldy or spoiled food can be harmful to chickens. Mold can produce toxins that are dangerous to their health. It's essential to regularly inspect the feed and treats given to chickens to ensure they are fresh and free from mold or spoilage.

3. Medications and Chemicals: Chickens should never be fed medications, chemicals or substances that are not specifically approved for poultry use. Some substances may be toxic to chickens or leave residues in their eggs making them unfit for consumption.

It's important to follow proper protocols when administering medications or supplements to chickens under the guidance of a veterinarian.

Providing chickens with a well-balanced diet, consisting of appropriate poultry feed, fresh water and occasional treats in moderation, will help maintain their health and productivity.

Always consult reliable sources or seek professional advice to ensure that you are providing your chickens with safe and appropriate food choices.