You Won’t Believe What Chickens EAT

Backyard chickens... so cute, right?

I've had hens for years.  I am no fan of roosters, but I love me girls.  (you don't need Roosters do get eggs)  You learn a lot when you watch animals, and chickens are no exception.  I thought I'd share some insights with folks that think they'd like one or two or twelve.  They can be quite docile, depending on how much you interact with them.

For the folks that have chickens, feel free to comment on your experiences ♥

I keep hearing this commercial during a National News show in the mornings.  They talk about how their chickens are "vegetarian".  Now, those folks are trying to sell the chicken meat.  Our girls are not used for meat, only their eggs, but I still giggle every time I hear the commercial, because I know there is NO WAY those chickens are "free range".  In fact, meat birds are much different than the ones used for eggs, but that is another story... haha                                                                       

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Chickens are not vegetarian.  They'll eat pretty much anything!  And I mean anything.  Yes, I've experimented, but I'll spare you the gory details on a few.  (eeek)  I thought it would be fun to share my girls with you.

Sometimes I'm still surprised at what they'll eat.  The other day I brought home a leftover bowl of raw veggies that my mom served to her bridge playing buddies.  In the bowl was broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers and in the bottom of the bowl was sliced red and yellow peppers.  I had no idea there were peppers until I poured it on the ground.

I thought, they'll never eat those peppers - I was wrong... Yuck, I don't even like peppers!  I also thought the cauliflower and broccoli would be too big.  Apparently not.  Cauliflower was gone, but the broccoli remained.  The cucumbers disappeared first.                                                                                                                             

They seem to like fruit the best; grapes, cantaloupe & watermelon, especially the seeds that humans usually through away.

Corn!  Oh my gosh, corn!  On the cob, off the cob, canned, fresh or frozen.  They always come running.  In the winter, we treat them with mixed veggies consisting of peas, carrots, corn, green beans and sometimes lima beans.  Usually corn gets eaten first and green beans last.

Then, it starts to get weird; I actually gave them soggy nachos covered with chili the other day.  They devoured them cheese, chips, ground beef, chili beans and all.  Hamburgers, hotdogs, various insects, worms, and yes, even EGGS.

Hey, I watched Jurassic Park!

Chickens are strange and even a little bit gross - no doubt about it.  But who was the first person that said, "Hey look, what just came out of the bird?"  "Let's try to eat it".  Now who's the gross one?