Can chickens eat meat?

Why

Meat lacks the complete balance of nutrients, grains, and greens that chickens need daily, so relying on it can lead to health issues. Additionally, raw meat poses a risk of bacterial infections and parasites that can harm your flock.

If you do feed it

• Serve only fully cooked meat with no added salt, spices, or oils.
• Limit treats to no more than 10% of their total daily food intake.
• Remove all bones before feeding to prevent choking or internal injury.
• Avoid processed meats like bacon, ham, or deli slices due to high sodium and preservatives.

Watch out for

• raw meat and poultry scraps
• cooked bones
• seasoned or salted meats
• processed meats like bacon or sausage
• meat spoiled or left out too long

Better choices