If you’ve got pet chickens, you’ll know they’re not exactly fussy eaters. In fact, some hens will try to eat just about anything—your plants, your shoelaces... We've even known some of our more cheeky birds to go for our sandwiches when left within beak’s reach!! But just because they can eat something doesn’t mean they should.
So, what’s the best way to keep your feathered friends well-fed, happy, and laying the best eggs? And what should you avoid giving them? Here’s everything you need to know about feeding your chickens the right way, brought to you by the chicken rearers here, Pipinchick; we raise and nurture healthy, happy pet chickens to sell and deliver them safely to your door.
What Can You Feed Chickens?
Chickens need a balanced diet to stay healthy, lay strong eggs, and keep those fluffy feathers looking fabulous. A good-quality layer feed should always be their main source of food, but you can supplement their diet with a range of safe, nutritious treats.
Safe and Healthy Treats for Chickens
- Fruits and Vegetables – Most fruits and veggies are great for chickens, just avoid anything mouldy or rotten. Leafy greens, lettuce, apples, berries, carrots, cucumbers, and squashes are all favourites.
- Dried Corn – A brilliant snack, especially in winter, as it's high engird so can help keep them warm. Scatter some around for a bit of fun foraging.
- Live Grubs – Black fly larvae, mealworms, and soldier fly larvae are packed with protein and loved by chickens. A great treat, but remember, it’s illegal in the UK to feed them dried grubs. You can read more about the benefits of feeding your hens live feed here.
- Seeds and Nuts – A good source of fats and nutrients, but offer sparingly—too much can lead to weight gain.
- Dried Woodland Mushrooms – If they’re safe for humans, they’re safe for hens. Chickens love a nibble on these earthy treats.
- Edible Flowers – Marigolds, nasturtiums, roses, and lavender not only brighten up your garden but are also tasty and healthy for your hens.
- Herbs – Oregano, parsley, thyme, rosemary, and lemon balm are all great for boosting hen health. They’re also natural pest repellents, so feel free to pop some in their nesting boxes.
- Porridge (in winter) – Rolled oats mixed with warm water make a lovely evening treat when the temperatures drop. It helps keep them cosy overnight as they burn the energy. Just be mindful of how much you are feeding them, as oats are quite high in fat.
A mix of these natural treats will not only keep your chickens healthy but also entertained. Happy hens love to peck, scratch, and forage—so scattering treats in their run is a great way to encourage natural behaviours.
What Can’t You Feed Chickens?
Not everything is safe for your flock, and some foods can even be harmful. If in doubt, leave it out.
- Kitchen Scraps and Leftovers – It might sound surprising, but in the UK, it’s actually illegal to feed chickens food that has been in your kitchen, including bread, pasta, cooked veg, or even your own homegrown fruit if it has been inside your house. This rule is in place to prevent disease transmission.
- Meat and Dairy – Absolutely not. Chickens maybe omnivores, but feeding them meat or dairy products (like cheese or yoghurt) is against UK regulations and can lead to health issues.
- Raw or Green Potatoes – The skins contain solanine, which is toxic to chickens. Cooked, plain potatoes are fine in small amounts, but raw is best avoided.
- Onions and Garlic – In large quantities, these can cause digestive problems and even affect the taste of their eggs (no one wants onion-flavoured eggs).
- Avocado (Especially the stone and skin) – Contains persin, a toxin that can be harmful to chickens.
- Chocolate and Sugary Foods – Chocolate is toxic to chickens, just like it is for dogs. And sugar is not good for their health either.
- Mouldy or Rotten Food – It might seem like a waste to throw away old food, but mould can produce toxins that are dangerous to chickens. If it’s not fresh, don’t feed it.
- Uncooked Beans – These contain lectins, which can be deadly to chickens if eaten raw. Cooked beans are fine, but really, they’re not the best treat—there are plenty of better options for your chickens.
Keeping Your Hens Happy and Healthy
Feeding chickens the right way isn’t just about nutrition—it’s about keeping them engaged, active, and full of energy. Give them space to forage, scatter some healthy treats, and watch them scratch and peck to their heart’s content.
By sticking to the right foods and avoiding the banned ones, you’ll ensure your girls stay healthy, keep laying beautiful eggs, and live long, happy lives.
So next time your hens give you the look as you snack on something tasty, you’ll know exactly what you can (and can’t) share with them.
Welcoming new chickens is always an exciting moment, whether you’re a first-time chicken keeper or adding to your existing flock. It’s natural to want to interact with them straight away, but giving them the right start by settling them in correctly will help them to feel safe and happy in their new home.
Give Your Chickens Time to Adjust
When your new hens arrive, it’s important to provide them with a calm and stress-free environment. Resist the urge to pick them up straight away—while it’s tempting to give them lots of attention, they’ll need a few hours to explore their new surroundings on their own terms.
Make sure their food and water are easily accessible and visible so they can find them without difficulty. It’s best to let them settle in quietly and observe from a distance as they start to move around and become familiar with their new living arrangements.
Building Your Chickens' Trust with Treats
Once your hens seem a little more comfortable, you can begin to bond with them by offering treats. A great way to build trust is to sprinkle a few treats, such as live grubs, such as Mealworms, Mario Worms, or Calci Worms into their run; this will encourage them to associate you with positive experiences. Over the next two to three weeks, continue to offer treats by hand when you visit them—this will help them see you as a source of good things, making them friendlier and more comfortable around you.
Settling Specific Chicken Breeds
Different chicken breeds have different temperaments, and understanding their needs will help you provide the best care during their settling-in period.
Settling in Your New Silkies
Silkies are known for their calm and friendly nature, but they can also be quite timid when introduced to a new environment. Because of their soft, fluffy feathers, they rely more on their sense of sound and touch than sight, so approach them gently and talk to them softly. Silkies love routine, so keeping their feeding times consistent will help them settle in more quickly.
They also enjoy companionship, so if you’re introducing them to an existing flock, make sure they have other Silkies or similarly gentle breeds to bond with. Providing plenty of sheltered areas will help them feel secure, as they’re not the best at flying or roosting high up.
Settling in Your New Pavonas
Pavonas are a stunning and unique breed, often admired for their elegance and personality. They can be a little more reserved at first, so patience is key. Like Silkies, they will respond well to routine and gentle interaction. Because Pavonas are more independent than some other breeds, they may take a little longer to build trust with their new owner, but offering treats regularly will encourage them to warm up to you.
Providing a spacious run with plenty of perches and hiding spots will help them feel safe and encourage them to explore their new home confidently.
Settling in Your New Pekin Bantams
Pekin Bantams are small, round, and full of personality! They are generally friendly and docile, making them a great choice for families. These little birds love attention but can also be a bit nervous when first settling in. Give them time to adjust at their own pace, and use treats as a way to gain their trust.
Pekins enjoy scratching around, so a run with soft ground and plenty of bedding will keep them happy. Because of their feathered feet, make sure their run stays clean and dry to prevent potential health issues.
Creating a Comfortable Environment
Regardless of breed, all new chickens need a secure, well-prepared home to help them feel safe. Here are some key things to conside
Safe Housing – Ensure their coop is predator-proof and well-ventilated, with enough space for each bird to roost comfortably.
Spacious Run – Even if you plan to free-range your hens eventually, start by keeping them in a secure run so they can familiarise themselves with their new surroundings.
Bedding and Nesting Areas – Provide clean, cosy bedding in the coop and make sure nest boxes are set up for when they start laying.
Routine – Chickens thrive on routine, so try to feed and let them out at the same times each day.
When to Let Them Free-Range
If you plan to allow your hens to free-range, it’s best to wait at least a week before letting them out. This gives them enough time to recognise their new home and feel secure in their surroundings. Start by letting them out for short periods under supervision and ensure they know where to return at night.
Building Trust with Your Hens
Helping your new hens settle in is all about patience, consistency, and building trust. By giving them space to adjust, using treats to create positive associations, and providing a safe and enriching environment, you’ll soon have happy, confident chickens that feel right at home.
At Pipinchick, we’re passionate about high-welfare chicken keeping and offer a variety of well-reared, friendly hens to suit every keeper. Because our hens are reared lovingly by us here on our farm in the beautiful Somerset countryside near Bristol, they have not been imported from Europe like many other live chickens for sale, and this means they have already been given the best start in life. Whether you’re welcoming Silkies, Brahma Chickens, Bantams, Cochin Chickens or any type of chickens to your flock, the key is to let them settle at their own pace and enjoy the rewarding experience of keeping backyard chickens!
For more tips on caring for your chickens, you can follow Pipinchick on Facebook or Instagram here.