What Are Your Chickens' Favorite Garden Scraps?

[EggHarvester]

Its almost August, and our garden is really starting to produce! Ive been left with a lot of scraps, which I used to just throw in the compost bin, but Ive started experimenting with feeding them to the hens instead. I know that nightshade plants like potato and tomato vines are a no-go for chickens, but most other garden scraps seem safe.

My chickens absolutely love watermelon and cantaloupe. They devour it down to the tough skin! They also enjoy greens like lettuce, turnip greens, and kale, but only if I tie them up like a pinata and hang them from a string. Theyll circle around and peck at the greens, which is really entertaining to watch. They also love tomato waste; I canned 20 quarts of tomato sauce, and they had a great time picking at the skins and seeds.

Ive tried giving them yellow squash, but they didnt seem interestedthey looked at it and walked away. Maybe the seeds are too big for them? Im also getting string beans, limas, and carrots in, but they wont touch the carrot tops!

Im curious to know if anyone else has had similar experiences with garden scraps or if there are other things from your garden your hens seem to particularly enjoy. Id love some more ideas to keep them happy and healthy!

[BackyardBanter]

Have you tried offering them some fresh herbs? Mine love basil, oregano, and mint! I've also had great success with giving them small amounts of zucchini. I slice it up thinly, and they seem to enjoy it.

[DownyDreamkeeper]

My hens are really picky with what they eat, but they love carrots if they're chopped up and mixed with something else. I've also had success with offering fresh herbs like parsley, dill, and cilantrothey go crazy for those!

[PoultryPassion]

My hens enjoy string beans, peas, and even cabbage! But I've had trouble with squash too. If they're not interested in raw squash, maybe try steaming it lightly, as it softens up and might make it more palatable for them.

[EggHatchHobbyist]

I've had success with beans and peas in my garden! They go wild for them when they're fresh. I haven't tried the squash yet, but I'm thinking of roasting it for them, which might make it more appealing.

[TheEggMaven]

I've been feeding my hens a lot of garden scraps too, and they love cantaloupe, as you mentioned. Another thing I've had success with is pumpkin. They love it, and it's full of nutrients. You might try offering squash again in smaller pieces or mixing it with something they like.

[FeatheredTrailblazer]

You might want to try offering the squash in a different form, like cooked or shredded. Sometimes they prefer it that way. I also give mine zucchini and they seem to enjoy it. I've found that they really like any soft vegetables, so maybe try that with your squash!

[FeatherFiesta]

I've found that my chickens love the stems of broccoli! They also enjoy turnip greens, which are another great garden scrap. If you have any of those around, try offering them to your girls.

[BarnyardPhilosopher]

I noticed that my hens also ignore certain vegetables like you've mentioned. They love tomatoes, though! For squash, I have to cut it into smaller pieces and mix it with some of their favorite fruits or veggies. That seems to do the trick!

[NestingNerd]

I've had the same issue with squash! They just look at it and ignore it. My chickens adore cucumbers, though, especially when they're still a little crunchy. You might want to try those if you have any leftover in your garden!