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Can Chicken Eat Wheat – Is it Safe?

As a chicken enthusiast, I’m always exploring various food options for my flock, and recently I’ve been curious about whether wheat is a suitable choice for them. It’s important to understand how different grains can contribute to their diet.

Chickens can safely eat wheat, which offers them beneficial nutrients like protein and carbohydrates. Ideal as a part of a varied diet, wheat should be given in moderation to avoid overweight issues. Crushed or whole wheat grains are both suitable, providing a healthy, occasional supplement to their regular feed.

Field of wheat

It is not required that you grind the entire grain of wheat when you choose to feed it your chickens. 

Is It Safe for Chickens to Eat Wheat, Should Your Chickens Have It?

Yes, it is safe for chickens to eat wheat.  There are several forms, and chickens can have all of them.

Yes, it is indeed safe for chickens to eat wheat.  It absolutely should be part of their diet.  It can be served in its whole form as well as in its barley and oat forms.  Another form is durum wheat, which is the form consumed by humans. 

Chickens are omnivores and therefore can eat grains such as wheat or its derivatives oat and barley.  The wheat can make up a portion of their diet. 

While chickens can eat wheat, it should be given in moderation as part of a diverse diet. Wheat provides protein and carbohydrates, but excessive amounts can lead to overweight issues. Both crushed and whole wheat grains are suitable, serving as a healthy occasional supplement to their regular feed. It’s important to balance it with other nutritious foods.

What To Look Out for When Feeding Chickens with Wheat

Female searching out in a field

Basically, you should avoid making wheat the only part of their diet.

What you should look out for when feeding chickens with wheat is the tendency to overdo it.  In its oat or barley form, when it should only be 25% of their diet.  In its whole form, it also should only be a portion of the diet, not exclusively used. 

Chickens need a balanced diet.  While wheat in all its forms can be a part of chickens’ diet, is should never constitute their only food source.

Can Chickens Eat Raw Wheat?

Nervous female

Grinding up the wheat is unnecessary, chickens can eat it whole.

Yes, chickens can eat raw wheat.  They can eat it raw (in its whole form.)  They can also eat whole barley or oats.  DO NOT try to feed your chickens whole corn.  Chickens have difficulty eating that.  Whole or raw wheat, however, is fine. 

When you feed chickens raw wheat in addition to other nutritious foods, after about three weeks the gizzards of the hens will gain muscle mass.  This is a good thing.

Can Chickens Eat Wheat Berries?

Pile of wheat berries

In moderation, wheat berries are okay to feed them.

Yes, chickens can eat wheat berries.  In fact, giving the berries to them as an occasional supplement is good for them.  Be careful of doing it too often though.  Berries should not make up all of your flock’s diet.  A treat featuring some berries once in a while, however, is fine. 

Chickens enjoy the variety supplied by the berries.  It is a nice treat for them.  Make sure you never allow the chickens to get to the point where they will only eat wheat berries.  This is another bad thing that could happen if you give them those too often.

Can Chickens Eat Wheat Bread?

Loaf of wheat bread

The answer to this question is a resounding NO!

Chickens should never be fed any type of bread even if it is wheat bread.  Any type of bread has barely a trace of nutritional value.  Worse than that, it can cause digestive problems and blockages. 

Bread in any variety, even wheat or multi-grain, is not at all good for chickens or any other farm animal.  Serious health consequences can occur if you do this.  Chickens should never ever have bread at all.

Can Chickens Eat Wheat Grass?

Cut section of wheat grass

Yes, and it is easy to grow your own supply of wheat grass to feed to chickens.

Chickens can definitely eat wheat grass, and in fact it is good for them (and humans as well.)  It is extremely nutritious food to give to chickens.  It is of particular importance to feed them this in winter. 

If you have been growing wheat grass in your garden for a while, and you now have a flock of chickens, don’t worry.  It is completely safe for them to eat. 

Can Chickens Eat Wheat Bran?

Wheat bran

Possibly yes.  It is said that a Taiwanese study found that supplementing wheat bran into the diet can possibly stimulate the growth of the birds.

According to chicken experts, you are probably best off not feeding wheat bran to your chickens.  It has a very low nutrition value, especially when it is fermented.  Although, technically they can eat it, it can have negative consequences.

It is important to note that the chickens who had a controlled diet featuring a lot of wheat bran, had a higher body weight. Whilst that is a good thing, harmful repercussions can occur if chickens eat wheat bran.

Can Chickens Eat Bulgur Wheat?

Bowl of Bulgur wheat

Yes, especially when combined with other grains and made into a porridge. 

Yes, chickens can eat bulgur wheat.  Jillyam, bulgur wheat should be boiled and then dried.  When combined with grains such as corn, rice, or oatmeal, and made into a porridge, chickens love it.

Bulgur wheat is a favorite treat whether in winter or any other season.  Especially when wheat berries are included in the meal.  It is good to keep this in mind if you run out of chicken feed.

Can Chickens Eat Buckwheat?

Buckwheat on table

Chickens want a diet that is rich in protein and carbohydrates.  Buckwheat should be a big part of that.

Yes, chickens can eat buckwheat.  Since they are omnivores, they crave such substances as part of their overall diet.  Buckwheat is good for chickens as a staple food.  It is particularly good in warm weather months.

It is important to mention that the buckwheat ought to only comprise 30% of chickens’ total diet.  Although it is healthy for them to have it, too much of it is counterproductive and should be avoided. 

Can Chickens Eat Wheat Flour?

Wheat flour on table

They can eat it, but probably will not like it.

You can try feeding wheat flour to your chickens.  However, it is a messy proposition and lacks nutritional value.  What you can do is compensate this with a feed that is higher in protein. 

You should avoid feeding your chickens buggy flour.  In fact, flour of any kind really is not good for them.  The chickens do not like to eat flour.

This article was first published on August 18, 2022 by Pentagon-Pets.

Can Chickens Eat Wheat Kernels/Seeds/Germ?

Wheat kernels and seeds

Yes, these can be part of a diverse diet that chickens and all living beings need.

Yes, chickens can eat wheat kernels/seeds/germ.  Chickens will benefit from having a great variety of grains and seeds including wheat.  Ideally, they should be fed a little differently in different seasons.

It is possible to make your own chicken feed at home and allow it to contain wheat kernels, seeds, and germ as part of it.  They should have a well-balanced diet.  This is essential for proper nutrition. 

Can Chickens Eat Wheat Grain?

Wheat grain and flour

They are able to have wheat grain.  It is good for them.

Yes, chickens can eat wheat grain.  They can eat it whole or in its oat or barley forms.  It is important, however, that the wheat is only part of their diet.  For the best nutrition, chickens should eat a wide variety of grains and other foods.

Pentagon Pet is the owner of this article that was first published on August 18, 2022.

You can probably find information on proper nutrition for chickens online.  Begin with the source where you found this article.  Lots of helpful information on what to feed your chickens is available right here. 

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This article and its contents are owned by Pentagon Pets and was first published on August 18, 2022.

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