What Table Scraps Can Chickens Eat? (Free Printable List!)
How Table Scraps Can Boost Your Chickens' Health
If you’re like me, cleaning out your fridge before a big grocery shop often means tossing food that could still be useful. But did you know that your chickens could help you turn those leftovers into something beneficial? Feeding your chickens certain table scraps can be an excellent way to supplement their diet, giving them extra nutrients and variety, while also reducing food waste. Especially this time of year when foraging might be limited!
Why Feeding Chickens Table Scraps is Healthy (and When It’s Not!)
Chickens are omnivores and natural foragers, which means they can enjoy a variety of foods beyond their usual chicken feed. Incorporating table scraps into their diet can provide extra vitamins, minerals, and protein. Foods like vegetable peelings, leftover pasta, rice, and even small amounts of cooked meat can be tasty and nutritious treats for your flock. In fact, by offering them variety, you’ll help stimulate their natural foraging instincts and keep them engaged.
Of course, it’s important to feed your chickens the right scraps—some foods can upset their digestive system or be harmful in large quantities. To make it easy for you to ensure their health is top priority, I’ve created a free printable that you can hang in your kitchen or pantry. It shows you which foods are safe for chickens, which should be avoided, and gives advice on how often they can have scraps.
Best Table Scraps for Chickens: Safe Foods & What to Avoid
Vegetable peelings (carrots, potatoes, squash)
Stale bread (in moderation)
Cooked pasta or rice
Cooked eggs (a great protein boost)
Small amounts of cooked meat
And here are some foods to avoid:
Anything with salt or sugar
Raw potatoes or potato skins
Avocado (the pit is especially dangerous)
Moldy or spoiled food
How Feeding Scraps Helps Reduce Food Waste & Saves Money
In addition to providing your chickens with tasty, healthy treats, feeding them your table scraps also reduces food waste. By reusing leftovers instead of throwing them out, you’re not only making the most of your food but also helping the environment. Studies have shown that food waste makes up approximately 40% of all waste—a shocking percentage! Research suggests that if 1 in 3 households kept a small flock of chickens and fed them table scraps, a significant portion of that waste could be eliminated. While we’re slowly shifting toward more sustainable, community-driven practices, every small effort adds up to a big impact!
If you have children, getting them involved in feeding the chickens can be a wonderful way to teach them about sustainability and reducing waste. They’ll have fun learning how food scraps can go from your kitchen to the coop, making them more mindful about food waste in their own lives.
Chicken Table Scraps FAQ: What You Need to Know
Q: Why is it illegal to feed chickens kitchen scraps?
A: In some places, laws restrict feeding chickens kitchen scraps due to concerns about food safety and disease transmission. However, many table scraps are safe when properly handled.
Q: What did old farmers feed chickens?
A: Before commercial feed, farmers fed chickens kitchen scraps, grains, and free-range bugs.
Download the Free Printable
To make it easy for you to keep track of which foods are good for your chickens, We’ve created a free printable guide. It’s perfect for hanging up in your kitchen, so you always have it on hand when cleaning out the fridge. This printable helps ensure you’re giving your chickens the best while keeping food waste in check.
Taking care of your chickens while reducing waste has never been so easy. By giving them the right table scraps, you’re not just boosting their health—you're also playing a part in a bigger environmental effort.
Thanks for reading, and happy chicken-keeping!
"The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." — Psalm 24:1
