Chickens Are Omnivores

Chickens will eat pretty much whatever they can wrap their little beaks around. This includes grass, grains, vegetables and fruits…sounds kinda vegetarian, doesn’t it? But wait, there’s more! They will also eat bugs, slugs, worms, spiders, mice (especially tender little baby mice), table scraps, their own eggs, and each other. What? Are you telling me that chickens are CARNIVORES?!

Believe it or not, most chickens will eat their fellow flock mates if one of them dies or is injured. The rest of the flock will pick at wounds, vent, or any spot that looks different on another chicken. It is very important to isolate any chicken that is being picked on to protect it from cannibalism.

Why Are So Many Feeds ‘Vegetarian?’

The simple answer is ‘economics.’ I’ve noticed some major poultry producers proudly stating on their commercials that all of their chickens are fed a vegetarian diet. This isn’t because they believe vegetarianism is better for their chickens, it’s because vegetable sources of protein are much cheaper than animal based protein. If P*rdue thinks vegetarianism is great…well, I don’t think they would be factory farming chickens for us to consume!

If you are vegetarian and wish to raise laying hens for their eggs, you can certainly find vegetarian chicken feed for your flock. If you are avoiding soy, you will pay more for feed made with field peas in place of the soy. Just be forwarned that free ranging or pasture raised chickens will probably supplement with their own juicy bugs and whatnot. And make sure they aren’t hungry enough to resort to cannibalism. It’s not a pretty sight!

Does it gross you out that chickens will cannibalize each other? Do you feed them vegetarian feed? Is soy free feed important to you? I enjoy reading your comments!

Feeling rather embarrassed…just realized that I posted Are Chickens Vegetarian a year ago!