Chickens can eat a variety of greens including lettuce, kale, spinach, and Swiss chard, which provide essential nutrients and promote healthy digestion.
Chickens love fresh greens as part of their diet. These nutrient-packed treats provide vitamins, minerals, and enrichment for your flock. Knowing which greens are safe helps keep chickens healthy and productive.
Top Greens Chickens Can Eat
Many garden greens make excellent chicken treats. These options are safe and nutritious:
- Lettuce – All varieties are safe, especially romaine and leaf lettuce
- Kale – Packed with vitamins A, C, and K
- Spinach – Rich in iron and calcium (feed in moderation)
- Swiss chard – Colorful stems provide antioxidants
- Collard greens – Excellent calcium source for egg layers
- Dandelion greens – Natural foraging favorite
- Mustard greens – Peppery flavor chickens enjoy
How to Feed Greens to Chickens
Follow these tips for safe feeding:
- Wash greens thoroughly to remove pesticides
- Chop large leaves for easier eating
- Hang bunches in the run for enrichment
- Mix with other treats like safe table scraps
- Remove uneaten greens before they spoil
Greens to Avoid
Some plants are toxic to chickens:
| Dangerous Greens | Reason to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Rhubarb leaves | Contains oxalic acid |
| Tomato leaves | Solanine toxin |
| Potato leaves | Solanine toxin |
| Avocado skins/pits | Contains persin |
Signs of Toxic Plant Ingestion
Watch for these symptoms if you suspect poisoning:
- Lethargy or weakness
- Difficulty breathing
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
If you notice these signs, remove the suspected plant and provide fresh water immediately. Contact a vet if symptoms persist.
Benefits of Feeding Greens
Adding greens to your chickens’ diet offers multiple advantages:
- Darkens yolk color naturally
- Provides essential vitamins and minerals
- Reduces feed costs when supplementing
- Stimulates natural foraging behavior
- Helps prevent feather pecking through enrichment
According to Purina Animal Nutrition, dark leafy greens can enhance egg yolk color while providing important nutrients.
Seasonal Feeding Tips
Adjust greens based on availability:
- Spring: Tender new growth of lettuce, spinach, and chickweed
- Summer: Heat-tolerant kale, Swiss chard, and beet greens
- Fall: Hardy collards and cabbage leaves
- Winter: Sprouted grains or indoor herb gardens
Growing Chicken-Friendly Greens
Consider planting these easy-to-grow options:
- Kale – Cold hardy and productive
- Swiss chard – Cut-and-come-again harvest
- Lettuce mixes – Fast growing in cool weather
- Mustard greens – Quick maturing with peppery flavor
- Dandelions – Nutrient-rich weed chickens love
The Get Strong Animals blog notes that chickens particularly enjoy pecking at whole vegetables like cucumbers and zucchini, which also provides enrichment.
Feeding Frequency
Follow the 90/10 rule for treats:
- 90% complete chicken feed
- 10% treats including greens
- For a laying hen eating 1/2 cup feed daily, limit treats to 2 tablespoons
This ensures your flock gets balanced nutrition while enjoying healthy greens.