Will Birds Eat Chicken? Everything You Need to Know About Feeding Poultry to Your Feathered Friends

Have you ever found yourself staring at leftover chicken from last night’s dinner and wondering if those backyard birds might enjoy a little protein boost? I’ve been there too! As a backyard bird enthusiast, I’m always looking for ways to provide nutritious treats for my feathered visitors, and the question “will birds eat chicken?” has definitely crossed my mind more than once

The short answer is: Yes, many birds will eat chicken, but there are important things to consider before you start tossing your dinner leftovers into the bird feeder. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of bird diets and discover when chicken might be appropriate and when it’s best to stick with traditional bird foods.

Which Birds Will Eat Chicken?

Not all birds have the same dietary preferences. In nature, birds fall into different categories based on what they typically eat:

• Carnivorous birds: These include birds of prey like hawks, eagles, and owls that naturally hunt and eat other animals, including chickens
• Omnivorous birds: Birds like crows, ravens, blue jays, and some species of woodpeckers that eat both plant matter and meat
• Insectivorous birds: Birds that primarily eat insects but may occasionally consume small amounts of meat
• Seed and fruit eaters: Birds that mainly eat seeds, nuts, fruits, and vegetation

Among household pet birds, several species can safely eat small amounts of chicken, including:

• Parrots
• Cockatiels
• Canaries

In the wild, you might see birds like hawks, red-tailed hawks, and great-horned owls preying on live chickens. Crows and ravens are also known to opportunistically eat chicken if available.

Is Chicken Good for Birds?

Chicken can provide birds with a good source of protein and other nutrients Birds need plenty of proteins and fats for a healthy diet, along with vitamins and minerals However, chicken should only be offered in moderation since too much protein can be harmful.

Here’s why chicken might be beneficial

• High in protein, which birds need for energy
• Contains nutrients that support feather health
• Can be particularly valuable during cold months when extra energy is needed

But remember, just like us humans shouldn’t eat the same thing every day, birds need variety in their diet too!

How to Safely Feed Chicken to Birds

If you’ve decided to offer some chicken to your backyard visitors or pet birds, here are some important guidelines to follow:

1. Only Feed Properly Cooked Chicken

Never feed raw chicken to birds! Raw chicken could contain harmful bacteria that might make birds sick. Always make sure the chicken is thoroughly cooked before offering it to birds.

2. Avoid Seasonings and Salt

Birds can’t handle the same seasonings that we enjoy. Before feeding chicken to birds:

• Rinse off any seasonings, sauces, or marinades
• Avoid heavily salted chicken
• Skip the fried chicken, which contains too much fat
• Remove the skin, which has the highest concentration of seasonings and fat

3. Only Feed Fresh Leftovers

This should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway—never feed spoiled chicken to birds! If you wouldn’t eat it yourself, don’t give it to the birds. Rotten or moldy meat can cause serious health problems for our feathered friends.

4. Offer Small Pieces

Cut the chicken into small, manageable pieces that birds can easily eat. This is especially important for smaller birds that might visit your feeder.

5. Feed in Moderation

Chicken should be an occasional treat, not a regular part of a bird’s diet. Most birds should still get the majority of their nutrition from their natural food sources or proper bird food.

What About Feeding Chicken to Birds of Prey?

While hawks and eagles naturally hunt and eat chickens in the wild, it’s not a good idea to purposely feed raw chicken to these birds to attract them to your yard. Here’s why:

• Birds of prey need to hunt naturally
• They could become dependent on human food sources
• Raw chicken could become a source of pathogens and disease
• It disrupts natural behaviors and ecosystems

Instead, if you want to attract birds of prey to your property, focus on creating a natural habitat that supports their prey species.

Alternatives to Chicken for Wild Birds

If you’re looking to provide protein-rich foods for wild birds, there are better options than chicken:

• Mealworms: High in protein and loved by many insect-eating birds
• Suet: Especially good in winter, providing both fat and protein
• Peanut butter: Unsalted, of course!
• Native plants: The most natural way to provide food for birds

For those who keep pet birds, consult with a veterinarian about the best diet for your specific species.

Can Birds Eat Other Types of Meat?

Some birds can eat other types of meat besides chicken. Options that may be offered in moderation include:

• Bacon (rinsed of salt and seasonings)
• Beef
• Bone marrow

Again, these should be unseasoned, well-cooked, and offered only occasionally as treats.

What About Chicken Feed for Wild Birds?

I’ve sometimes wondered if chicken feed might be a good option for wild birds. After all, it’s designed for birds, right? While chicken feed won’t harm wild birds and they might eat it if offered, it’s not specifically formulated for wild bird species.

Wild bird seed mixes are better suited to meet the nutritional needs of garden birds. That said, if you have chickens and notice wild birds helping themselves to a bit of chicken feed, there’s no need to worry about it.

What Other Kitchen Foods Can Birds Eat?

If you’re looking to share more kitchen scraps with your backyard birds, here are some bird-friendly options:

• Cooked pasta (plain)
• Cooked rice (unseasoned)
• Berries
• Oats
• Nuts (unsalted)
• Stale bread (in moderation)

Stale food (not moldy or rotten) can actually be a good option for birds. They don’t mind if that bread is a bit hard or the pasta isn’t quite fresh anymore!

My Experience Feeding Birds

I’ve tried offering small amounts of plain roasted chicken to the birds in my backyard, and I’ve noticed that certain species are definitely more interested than others. The blue jays and crows will swoop down almost immediately when they spot the treat, while the finches and chickadees stick to their regular seed feeders.

One interesting thing I’ve observed is that during nesting season, parent birds seem more likely to take chicken back to their nests, presumably to feed their growing chicks. This makes sense, as growing baby birds need lots of protein!

Final Thoughts: Should You Feed Chicken to Birds?

While birds can eat chicken, and it may provide good nutrition in small amounts, I don’t recommend making it a regular part of what you offer at your feeders. Here’s why:

1. Natural food sources are always best for wild birds
2. Proper bird seed and commercial bird foods are specifically formulated for birds’ needs
3. Too much protein can actually harm birds
4. It’s easy to accidentally give birds chicken with harmful seasonings or that isn’t fresh

That said, if you occasionally have a bit of plain, cooked chicken leftover, offering a small amount to your backyard birds probably won’t cause any harm and might provide a nice protein boost, especially during cold weather or breeding season.

Remember that the best way to support birds in your yard is to create a natural habitat with native plants that provide natural food sources and shelter. Bird feeders should supplement natural foods, not replace them.

So next time you’re clearing the table after a chicken dinner, feel free to set aside a small, plain piece for your feathered friends—just make sure it’s properly prepared and offered in moderation!

Have you ever fed chicken to birds in your yard? What was your experience like? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!

Birds of prey, such as hawks, eagles, and owls, are the most common predatory birds that eat chickens, hunting them during the day and at night, respectively. Other opportunistic birds like crows, ravens, magpies, and jays may prey on chicken eggs and chicks. To protect your flock, consider building a covered run with sturdy netting, creating shelter for the chickens, and keeping them close to the house.

Yes, most pet birds, especially parrots, can eat small amounts of cooked, lean, plain chicken, as it’s an occasional treat and a good source of protein and nutrients, though you must avoid raw meat and seasonings like salt, garlic, and onions that are toxic to birds.

While wild birds may eat chicken scratch if offered, it is not recommended as a regular food source because it is nutritionally incomplete for them and can lead to an excess of certain components, such as calcium, or a deficiency in others, like protein and fats.

Feed wild birds a variety of seeds like black oil sunflower and safflower for general appeal, Nyjer (thistle) seed for finches, and millet for ground feeders like sparrows. Other good options include suet for energy, mealworms for insectivores, peanuts and peanut butter for larger birds, and fresh or dried fruit.