Feeding Chickens from the Garden: A Natural, Nutritious Partnership

There’s something wonderfully sustainable about growing your food and sharing it with your backyard flock. Chickens and gardens go hand in hand, and when managed well, your garden can provide a nutritious boost to your hens’ diet, while your chickens return the favor by helping with pest control and fertilizing the soil.

If you’ve ever looked at your overflowing basket of garden produce and wondered, “Can my chickens eat this?”—you’re not alone. Let’s explore the best ways to feed your chickens from the garden safely, efficiently, and joyfully!

🌱 Why Feed Chickens from the Garden?

Feeding your chickens garden produce isn’t just a way to reduce waste—it’s a simple, wholesome way to:

• Add variety and nutrients to their diet

• Use surplus or slightly blemished fruits and veggies

• Support a closed-loop homestead system

• Encourage natural behaviors like scratching and pecking

🥦 What Garden Scraps Are Safe for Chickens?

Many common vegetables and fruits from your garden make excellent treats for chickens. Here are some flock-approved favorites:

✅ Chicken-Safe Veggies:

• Lettuce, kale, spinach, and Swiss chard (in moderation)

• Cucumbers and zucchini

• Carrots (especially tops)

• Beets and beet greens

• Pumpkins and squash

• Broccoli and cauliflower

• Green beans (cooked or fresh)

• Corn (on or off the cob)

✅ Fruits They’ll Love:

• Strawberries

• Blueberries

• Apples (no seeds)

• Melons

• Tomatoes (fully ripe only)

⚠️ What to Avoid

While many garden goodies are safe, there are some things you should never feed your flock:

❌ Toxic Plants for Chickens:

• Green tomato vines and unripe tomatoes (contain solanine)

• Potato peels or green potatoes

• Rhubarb leaves

• Onions and garlic (can affect egg flavor in large amounts)

• Avocado skins and pits

• Moldy or spoiled produce

Always research anything new before adding it to your chickens’ diet, and introduce garden treats gradually.

🥬 Tips for Feeding Garden Treats

• Chop larger items into manageable sizes to avoid choking.

• Scatter scraps across the run to encourage natural foraging behaviors.

• Don’t overdo it—treats should be no more than 10% of their total diet.

• Compost what they won’t eat—chickens can be picky!

🐔 Bonus: Let the Chickens Work in the Garden

When your growing season ends, consider letting your chickens into your garden to help clean up. They’ll eat bugs, dig up weeds, and fertilize the soil all in one go. Just be sure to supervise or fence them in during the growing season—they're excellent at "harvesting" your crops a little too early!

🌿 A Healthy, Happy Flock from Your Backyard

Feeding chickens from the garden is a rewarding way to make use of every part of your harvest. Your flock will thrive on the fresh, varied diet, and you’ll enjoy knowing your chickens are enjoying the same wholesome, homegrown goodness as you.

Looking to plan a chicken-friendly garden? Stay tuned for our upcoming post on “Garden Plants to Grow Just for Your Flock”!