Mushrooms are a popular food for humans to eat, but what about chickens?
Can chickens eat mushrooms?
Unfortunately, the answer is not straightforward.
While some types of mushrooms are safe for chickens to consume, others can be toxic and even deadly.
In this post, we will discuss:
- If chickens can eat mushrooms
- What parts of the mushroom chickens can eat
- Types of mushrooms chickens can eat
- Health benefits of feeding mushrooms to your chickens
- How to feed mushrooms to your chickens
- And some frequently asked questions
Can Chickens Eat Mushrooms?
Yes, chickens can eat mushrooms, however, they can not eat all types of species of mushrooms.
There are many things to consider before feeding your chickens mushrooms, like what parts of the mushroom they can consume and which species are safe for them to eat.
Let’s look further into what parts they can eat and what types are safe.
Can Chickens Eat Mushroom Stems?
Fortunately, chickens can safely eat every part of the mushroom including the stems and skins as long as the mushroom they are eating is safe and not poisonous.
Mushrooms are also soft and easy for chickens to pick at, which makes them a great treat!
Can Chickens Eat Wild Mushrooms?
Wild mushrooms are mushrooms that grow in the wild and are not collected and sold commercially to the public.
There are a few edible species of wild mushrooms that include chanterelle, morels, and a few others.
However, it can be difficult to distinguish what types of wild mushrooms are edible and which ones are poisonous.
In fact, it is best to keep your flock away from wild mushrooms completely, just in case.
What Mushrooms Are Toxic to Chickens?
While some mushrooms are safe for chickens to eat, others are highly toxic and can cause serious health problems or even death.
Some of the most dangerous mushrooms for chickens include the death cap mushroom, the fly agaric mushroom, and the false morel mushroom.
These mushrooms contain toxins that can cause liver failure, seizures, and other serious health problems in chickens.
If you suspect your chickens have ingested any of these mushrooms, it’s important to seek veterinary care immediately.
Chickens Have Natural Instincts to Avoid Poisonous Foods
While chickens love to eat food, most chickens have natural instincts that tell them not to eat a certain food that is poisonous.
That being said, some chickens will still eat something that can make them sick. Some can also overeat a particular food that isn’t particularly healthy for them.
However, most of the time, if a chicken pecks at food once and then ignores it, they have a good reason for it.
If a poisonous mushroom somehow sprouts in your backyard, you can sleep well knowing that your chickens will most likely turn away from it and won’t consume enough of it to be fatal.
However, if you think your chicken may have eaten a large dose of a poisonous plant or fungi, make sure to seek medical help or speak to a veterinarian right away.
What Types of Mushrooms Can Chickens Eat?
So, you’ve learned about wild mushrooms and some toxic mushrooms, but what types of mushrooms can chickens eat?
There are several types of mushrooms that are safe for chickens to eat.
Some options include:
- Cremini Mushrooms
- Button (White) Mushrooms
- Portobello Mushrooms
- Shiitake Mushrooms
- Morel Mushrooms
- Oyster Mushrooms
- Chestnut Mushrooms
- Black Trumpet Mushrooms
- Chicken of the Woods Mushrooms
- Chanterelle Mushrooms
- Porcini Mushrooms
- Matsutake Mushrooms (Pine Mushrooms)
- Reishi Mushrooms
These mushrooms are low in calories and high in nutrients, making them a healthy addition to a chicken’s diet.
Can Chickens Eat Portobello Mushrooms?
Yes, chickens can eat Portobello mushrooms.
Portobello mushrooms are extremely popular for their large size and strong flavor.
They are soft and easy for chickens to pick at and consume.
Can Chickens Eat Button Mushrooms?
Yes, it is safe for chickens to eat button, or white, mushrooms.
Button mushrooms are also very popular and widely sold at grocery stores and restaurants.
They are also often called white mushrooms because of their color.
Can Chickens Eat White Mushrooms?
Yes, chickens can eat white mushrooms.
As stated above, white mushrooms are the same as button mushrooms and are a popular mushroom you can buy at the grocery store.
Can Chickens Eat Cremini Mushrooms?
Yes, chickens can eat cremini mushrooms.
Cremini mushrooms are basically just the brown version of white mushrooms and are safe for chickens to consume.
Can Chickens Eat Shiitake Mushrooms?
Yes, chickens can eat shiitake mushrooms.
In fact, shiitake mushrooms can provide some added benefits to your chickens such as boosting the immune system and providing anti-inflammatory activity.
This is because shiitake mushrooms contain polysaccharide chemicals like beta-glucans and lentinan, which have a number of positive health benefits.
Can Chickens Eat Chestnut Mushrooms?
Yes, chickens can eat chestnut mushrooms.
These mushrooms can be difficult to find in the grocery store, but they are edible for both humans and chickens.
Can Chickens Eat Cooked Mushrooms?
Yes, chickens can eat cooked mushrooms as long as they are not cooked with seasonings, spices, oil, butter, or other overly processed foods.
Washed and cooked mushrooms are a great addition to your chicken’s diet.
Can Chickens Eat Raw or Uncooked Mushrooms?
Yes, chickens can also eat raw and uncooked mushrooms.
Raw mushrooms are soft and easy for chickens to eat and digest, making them a great treat for your flock.
They can be given directly to your chickens after you bring them home from the store once they are washed and sliced into smaller pieces. They can also be crushed up and added to their commercial feed.
Most chickens will not like the texture or smell of raw mushrooms, however, and may prefer to have them cooked.
Can Chickens Eat Canned Mushrooms?
Yes, chickens can eat canned mushrooms.
However, canned mushrooms typically contain a fair amount of sodium from the canning brine, which is the best option for chickens.
It’s important to feed your flock canned mushrooms sparingly, or just stick with fresh mushrooms from the store.
Can Chicks Eat Mushrooms?
Yes, baby chicks can also eat mushrooms.
However, for small chicks, it is important to limit the number of treats they eat each day, as it is vital that they mostly consume their starter feed for the first few weeks of growth.
When feeding chicks mushrooms, make sure to cook them and slice them into very small pieces to avoid choking.
Do Chickens Like Mushrooms?
Most chicken breeds do not typically like to eat mushrooms.
A lot of bird species don’t enjoy the texture or smell of mushrooms and will refuse to eat them when offered.
Cooking the mushrooms will make it more palatable and easier for them to eat.
So if your flock turns their beaks up at raw mushrooms, try cooking them instead.
How to Feed Mushrooms To Chickens
There are two main ways to offer mushrooms to your chickens: raw or cooked.
Mushrooms from the grocery store can be washed and given directly to your birds, or they may prefer them to be cooked first.
You can simply make a recipe made with mushrooms like mushroom soup or sauteed mushrooms.
Just make sure the mushrooms are not cooked with spices, seasonings, oil, or butter as those can be unhealthy or fatal to chickens.
To cook the mushrooms:
- Heat a non-stick pan or skillet over medium heat (pan must be non-stick because oil or butter can not be used)
- Cut the mushrooms into small bite-sized pieces
- Cook the mushrooms until they are tender and soft (around 5-10 minutes depending on the size)
- Cool to room temperature
- Offer to your chickens in a pan or on a plate and let them enjoy!
Are Mushrooms Good For Chickens?
Edible mushrooms can be nutritious and low in calories, making them a great treat for chickens.
Because they are low-calorie and contain small amounts of sugar and sodium, mushrooms can be given to chickens more often unlike other snacks like watermelon or cheese, which must be given sparingly.
Mushrooms also contain a decent amount of fiber and antioxidants which can provide other health benefits to chickens.
Overall, mushrooms can be a great addition to your flock’s diet.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, chickens can eat mushrooms, but only certain types.
While some mushrooms are a healthy addition to a chicken’s diet, others can be toxic and deadly.
It’s also important to avoid feeding your chickens any food scraps or mushrooms that contain a lot of seasonings or salt on them.
As with any new food item, it’s important to introduce mushrooms into your chickens’ diet slowly and in small amounts to ensure they don’t have any adverse reactions.
Still want to learn more? Keep reading below for some frequently asked questions on the topic.
FAQs
Can chickens eat mushrooms from the grocery store?
Yes, it is highly recommended to only give your chickens mushrooms from the grocery store, as wild mushrooms could potentially be poisonous.
Can mushrooms poison chickens?
There are some edible mushrooms that chickens can eat but there are also a large number of mushrooms that are poisonous to chickens.
Most chickens have a good intuition of what foods are safe to eat and will leave poisonous mushrooms in the wild alone.
Can chickens eat mushroom skins?
Yes, chickens can eat all parts of edible mushrooms, including the skin.
Just make sure they are washed first before offering them to your flock.