If you have some overripe strawberries lying around, you’re probably wondering: “Can chickens eat strawberries?” You’re not the only one! I get asked this question all the time.
The short answer is YES, but the sugar content can add up… so, how much is too much? What about the stem? Is that edible?
To get to the bottom of it, I’ve researched this topic to get all the answers, and we’ll tackle the following questions together:
- How many strawberries can chickens eat?
- Can they eat the strawberry tops?
- Are moldy strawberries bad for chickens?
- What’s the best way to feed strawberries to chickens?
- What’s the nutritional value of strawberries?
- What foods are toxic to chickens?
- Plus, much more!
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to products (including Amazon). I’ll earn a small commission if you purchase through my link, at no additional cost to you! Regardless, I only link to products that I personally use on our homestead or believe in.
Can Chickens Eat Strawberries?
Yes – your chickens can absolutely eat strawberries, and they’ll love you for it! Moderation is still key (we’ll talk about how much they can eat in a bit), but strawberries have less than half the sugar content of pineapple and only 1/3 of the sugar content of grapes, so they are a pretty safe treat for your flock to enjoy.
Now, of course, there are a few things that chickens should never eat (we’ll cover that later in this article), but strawberries surely aren’t one of them. Strawberries are nutritious and a lovely treat for your adult chooks!
How many strawberries can chickens eat?
As always, moderation is key. Use strawberries as an occasional treat (no more than a strawberry or two per bird) and keep the bulk of their diet limited to a balanced feed and whatever other goodies they can forage up (greens, seeds, bugs, ticks, mice, frogs, you name it!).
What if your chickens break into your strawberry patch and eat too many one afternoon? Likely no long-term harm, but they might end up with some intense diarrhea. Pee-yew!
However, if they eat too many for an extended period of time, they could end up with deficiencies since strawberries aren’t nutritionally complete for poultry. A protein-deficient diet (strawberries are low in protein) can result in a reduction in egg laying and reduced hatchability of their eggs.
Are moldy strawberries bad for chickens?
Yes, they are! While chickens are great at being the “clean-up crew,” they should never eat moldy food, as they can become ill. If the strawberries have begun to grow mold, throw them into your compost bin instead.
Can chickens eat strawberry tops?
They sure can, which is great news if you gobble through a handful of strawberries and you’re left with a small pile of strawberry tops! The tops are fairly small, so most chickens can handle it in one gulp. If not, it’ll give them some good entertainment to try to break it up into smaller pieces.
*Don’t feed the tops to chicks, though – mature chickens only.
Can baby chicks eat strawberries?
Technically, yes. However, baby chicks have high protein needs to support their rapid growth, and strawberries have minimal protein. I personally do not feed strawberries to my baby chicks.
If you want to do it, chop the strawberries into tiny pieces, provide chick grit, and keep the portions very small, and only as a rare treat.
New to baby chicks? Read more about baby chick care in my article: Raising Baby Chicks – A Beginner’s Guide
Do Chickens Like to Eat Strawberries?
They sure do! I think it’s safe to say that it’s their favorite treat – look at that clean platter below. They cleaned that up in a matter of minutes. I think they enjoy the sweetness of the strawberries, but the red color also draws them in.
Have you ever tried going out to the coop with red toenail polish on? Haha, it can be entertaining or a bit unnerving, depending on how comfortable you are around chickens. I had a friend over recently who wore flip flops and red toenail polish, and she ended up running for the house!
What is the Best Way to Feed Strawberries to Chickens?
You really can’t go wrong here. You can chop strawberries into small pieces, slice them up, or simply toss them in the yard whole. It just depends on how hard you want them to work for it. They obviously enjoy the small pieces the best since they are the easiest to eat, but they’ll sure go to work on whole strawberries as well.
Personally. I like to chop them up into bite-sized pieces first because that ensures that everyone gets a chance at having a treat, vs just a few hens hogging full strawberries for themselves. It’s up to you!
The Health Benefits of Strawberries for Chickens
Strawberries (in moderation) are a delicious, nutritious snack to give to your chickens! They are loaded with fiber, vitamin C, and thiamine. Plus, they have a high water content, which is great for hydration on those hot summer days!
Fiber
A cup of chopped strawberries provides 3 g of fiber, which is an important component for gut health. Chickens have a diverse microbiome (just like us!) that hosts over 900 unique strains of microorganisms that thrive on consistent fiber intake.
Fiber can even reduce ammonia emissions, which is pretty neat! That’s because fiber aids in the digestion process, reducing the amount of undigested protein that ferments into harmful ammonia. High ammonia levels can pose a serious health hazard for your flock, and even for you.
Vitamins & Minerals
Strawberries are a great source of a couple of vitamins – vitamin C and thiamine. Let’s break them down regarding the health of your chickens!
- Vitamin C: Improves their stress response, disease resistance, and combats free radical damage. It also improves their laying rate and overall fertility!
- Thiamine: Essential for the proper functioning of the energy metabolic cycle. Deficiency can lead to polyneuritic syndrome and death.
Hydration
Strawberries are one of the BEST fruits out there for hydration. Out of a 100 g serving, 91 grams are water! That’s even higher than pineapple, grapes, and even apples. Therefore, strawberries can be a wonderful, hydrating treat for your flock during those hot summer days. On the other hand, too much can result in diarrhea, which can be dehydrating. Balance is key!
Nutritional Breakdown of Strawberries
Want more details? Here’s what 1 cup of sliced strawberries provides according to USDA FoodData Central. Of course, don’t feed each of your chickens an entire cup, but I like to look at food in portions that we are familiar with.
Can I Give My Chickens Other Berries?
You can definitely give your chickens other berries! They love them all: blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, you name it! My chickens also go nuts for ground cherries, too (not a berry, but equally as deliciouss). At the end of the season, I like to toss the whole bush out to the coop, and they go nuts for it!
Have fun experimenting with different types to see which ones are their favorites. Just please remember to not overdo it! Berries are not a complete source of nutrition for chickens and should only be used as a treat.
What Foods are Toxic to Chickens?
Thankfully, chickens aren’t very picky when it comes to people food, but there are a few things that should never be eaten by chickens. For a complete list with explanations, check out my comprehensive guide Don’t Feed These Foods to Your Chickens!
- Raw potato peels
- Avocado pit and peel
- Dry/uncooked beans
- Anything moldy or rotten
- Fried foods
- Salty foods
- Caffeine or alcohol
- High-fat foods
- High-sugar foods
- Artificial sugars
You might also want to limit their intake of strong-flavored foods. These flavors can end up in their eggs, which can be a little off-putting!
- Garlic
- Onions
- Fish
Other Chicken Articles You’ll Love:
- Can Chickens Eat Blackberries?
- Can Chickens Eat Pineapple?
- Can Chickens Eat Celery?
- Can Chickens Eat Meat?
- Can Chickens Eat Apples?
- Can Chickens Eat Bananas?
- Can Chickens Eat Grapes?
Are you a first-time chicken keeper? Or maybe you don’t even have chickens yet? Definitely check out my ultimate resource: How to Care for Chickens: A Beginner’s Guide.
*Information in this article was referenced from personal experience and/or from my favorite chicken books The Chicken Health Handbook & Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens, unless otherwise noted.
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