Can chickens eat pepper?

Why

Peppers are non-toxic and provide vitamins, but the heat from spicy varieties can irritate a chicken's crop and digestive tract. Even sweet peppers should be offered sparingly as a treat rather than a staple food to avoid digestive upset.

If you do feed it

• Remove all stems and seeds before feeding to prevent choking or digestive blockage
• Start with a very small piece to see if your flock tolerates it without distress
• Limit treats to less than 10% of their total daily diet
• Avoid any peppers that have been cooked with salt, oil, or spices meant for humans

Watch out for

• Hot or spicy varieties like jalapeños and habaneros
• Seeds and stems which can cause choking
• Sweetened or seasoned pepper products
• Moldy or spoiled peppers

Better choices