Can Chickens Eat Seeds? [9 Seeds To Feed & 2 To Avoid]

Have you ever wondered if chickens can eat seeds? And if they can, which ones should be fed and which ones should be avoided, if any? It’s a good question to ask, after all, while chickens are known for being omnivores that are able to eat almost anything, there are certain foods that they should definitely not eat, and sometimes it can be hard to know the difference.

Today, we’re going to take a closer look at whether chickens can eat seeds. First, we’ll discuss whether they can eat seeds at all, before moving on to discuss some of the most popular seeds in more detail. Let’s dig in!

If you’re in need of a quick answer, here it is: Chickens can eat most seeds just fine. They’re a great source of dietary fiber, unsaturated fats, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. However, they’re also quite high in calories so make sure that you do not overfeed your flock on seeds. It’s essential that you give them a balanced diet to avoid nutritional imbalances.

I do recommend reading the whole article. It’s not all that long and will teach you everything you need to know about feeding seeds to your flock of chickens!

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Are seeds good for chickens?

There are many different types of seeds but what they all have in common is that they’re very rich in nutrients. After all, seeds are the starting phase of many plants, so they need enough nutrients to give these plants a good start. Seeds are particularly rich in healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

All these nutrients can be beneficial to your chickens. However, you do have to be careful not to overdo it. While seeds are rich in nutrients, they’re also very calorie-dense, making it easy for your chickens to overeat. Make sure that you only feed seeds to your chickens in limited quantities to avoid too much weight gain and nutritional imbalances. They need a balanced diet consisting of diverse food types in order to thrive.

Should chickens have seed in their diet?

Seed is a good addition to your chicken’s diet. It provides them with many essential nutrients that are beneficial for them to consume. In the wild, chickens also frequently consume seeds. There are however some seeds that should be avoided, more on that later.

A good way to feed seeds to your flock is by spreading the seeds around on the floor, it stimulates their natural foraging behavior and is a fun and interactive way for them to eat.

Seeds that chickens can eat

Now that you know that chickens can safely eat most seeds let’s go over some of the most popular ones in a little more detail to see whether or not they’re okay for your chickens to eat.

Can chickens eat sunflower seeds?

Chickens can definitely eat sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds are a great source of many vitamins and minerals, most notably vitamin E, selenium, and several. Because of this, they’re a great source of food for your chickens, as long as it’s fed in moderation.

Vitamin E is very important for chickens because it boosts their immune system and can improve their ability to lay eggs. Furthermore, it increases the amount of vitamin E found in their eggs!

There are two types of sunflower seeds: black sunflower seeds and striped sunflower seeds. The former is used to make oil while the latter is used as a source of food.

Chickens can eat both the black oil sunflower seeds as well as the striped variety and most chickens are big fans of these nutritious little seeds. They can eat them whole, husk/shell included.

Can chickens eat flax seeds?

Yes, chickens can eat flax seed. Flax seed is a very good source of protein, fiber, healthy omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Because flax seed contains so many important nutrients it can be added to your chicken’s diet.

Of course, like other seeds, flax seed is high in calories. Make sure that you do not overfeed your chickens.

Can chickens eat buckwheat seeds?

Chickens can indeed eat buckwheat seeds. Buckwheat seed is a good source of fiber, protein, manganese, copper, magnesium, iron, and phosphorus. However, unlike some other seeds, buckwheat is not particularly rich in vitamins.

Can chickens eat pumpkin seeds?

Chickens can eat pumpkin seeds. It does not contain anything that’s harmful to them and it’s in fact a good source of many nutrients such as fiber, protein, healthy fats, vitamin k, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron, and antioxidants. Because of this, pumpkin seeds can be a healthy treat for your chickens.

Can chickens eat chia seeds

Chia seeds are often touted as a superfood and for good reason! These tiny black seeds are extremely nutrient-dense, containing loads of important vitamins and minerals. Some nutrients they are rich in include B vitamins, zinc, calcium, iron, magnesium, fiber, and protein. On top of that, they’re relatively low in calories and do not contain anything that’s bad for chickens. All this means that chickens can definitely eat chia seeds and that it’s a good addition to their diet.

Can chickens eat quinoa seeds?

Many people don’t realize it, but quinoa is actually made of seeds. Chickens can eat quinoa without any problems. They are very high in fiber, antioxidants, and protein. Furthermore, they’re a good source of important vitamins and minerals, making them a great addition to your flock’s diet.

Can chickens eat sesame seeds?

Yes, chickens can eat sesame seeds. Like other seeds, sesame seeds contain a good amount of fiber. They’re also rich in protein, calcium, vitamin B, and important antioxidants, making them a good treat for your flock. According to Dr. Jacquie Jacob from the University of Kentucky, “sesame seed meal can constitute up to 10% to 12% of an organic broiler diet, with no adverse effects on growth performance.”

Like many seeds, sesame seeds are quite heavy on the calories so make sure that you do not feed your chickens too much sesame. The best diet for your flock is one that contains many different types of food to ensure a good nutritional balance.

Can chickens eat poppy seeds?

Chickens can eat poppy seeds and it can be a nutritious addition to their diet as long as it’s fed in moderation.

Can chickens eat melon seeds?

Chickens can eat the seeds of watermelons, cantaloupes, and many other melons just fine. You won’t be able to buy these seeds in large quantities in any stores, but if you finish eating a melon and have the seeds leftover feel free to feed them to your chickens.

Seeds to avoid feeding to your chickens

Thus far we’ve only discussed the seeds that are okay to feed to your chickens. Now, let’s take a closer look at the ones that you should definitely not feed to your chickens.

Can chickens eat apple seeds?

Chickens can definitely not eat apple seeds. Apple seeds contain cyanide which is toxic to chickens. If you’re feeding apples to your chickens make sure that you remove the seeds before feeding.

Can chickens eat potato seeds?

No, chickens can not eat potato seeds. Potatoes produce a small round seed after flowering. Do not feed this to your chickens. Potatoes are a member of the nightshade family and these seeds are toxic.

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Final words

So, now you know everything about feeding seeds to your flock. You know which ones are safe to feed, the benefits they offer, which ones to avoid, and why. If you’d like more information about feeding your chickens feel free to check out the following articles:

• Can chickens eat meat?
• Can chickens eat fish?

Happy feeding!