Can Chickens Eat Brussel Sprouts? Is It Safe?

Whether you think of Brussel sprouts as vile weeds or delicious vegetables, there is one thing for certain: most chickens love them. So if you were wondering, “Can chickens eat Brussel sprouts?”, you now know the truth. The answer is yes. Not only can chickens eat Brussel sprouts, they most definitely will. Sure, some chickens are oddballs and may not want sprouts, but the majority thinks they are great.

Can Chickens Eat Brussel Sprouts Raw?

Have you ever encountered a Brussel sprout plant in the wild? You may have touched a raw sprout and thought to yourself, “How can anything eat that?” Well, you would be underestimating chickens. Though raw Brussel sprouts feel like bricks and are hard for humans to bite through, chickens will happily take the time to rip raw Brussel sprouts apart piece by piece.

Cooking Brussel sprouts makes it easier for your chickens to get at the “meat” of the vegetable, but raw ones are far more nutritionally dense.

Can Chickens Eat Brussel Sprouts Frozen?

If you are purchasing Brussel sprouts from the store, you will usually find them in the frozen vegetable aisle. Bags of frozen Brussel sprouts are flash frozen, meaning that the peak of their nutritional content is preserved for the time being. For chickens, frozen Brussel sprouts present a special kind of challenge. Without a little thawing, the leaves of the Brussel sprout vegetable will be difficult for your chickens to pull off and eat.

The one benefit of giving chickens anything frozen, including Brussel sprouts, is during the summer, when the added iciness can lower their body temperature. Otherwise, raw or steamed Brussel sprouts are better for your flock.

Can Chickens Eat Brussel Sprout Stalks and Leaves?

The leaves and stalks of Brussel sprout plants are just as edible as any other part. However, most stalks are far too dense and thick for chickens to get any benefit out of eating them. You could steam or cook the stalk, but it does not have the same nutritional value as the actual vegetable. The best use for stalks and plant leaves is for hanging, a method of delivery that is mentioned further down in the article.

Are Brussel Sprouts Safe For Chickens?

Chickens will eat Brussel sprouts, but is the vegetable good for them? Are there any toxins you need to worry about? Nope!

The Nutritional Benefits of Brussel Sprouts for Chickens

Brussel sprouts may not be your personal favorite veggie, but there is no denying that the green globes pack a serious nutritional punch. Your chickens will love Brussel sprouts for more than their taste. The vegetable supports their health both inside and out.

Here are some of the nutritional benefits to feeding Brussel sprouts to your chickens:

Low in Calories

Chickens are energetic creatures. So they need calories. However, too many calories will make a chicken fat. Brussel sprouts are perfect, because they are low in calories, filling, and also jam-packed with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.

High in Vitamins A and K

Brussel sprouts can help you ward off vitamin deficiencies in your flock. Brussel sprouts are one vegetable that is high in vitamins A and K, both of which play a role in reproduction, organ function, and immunity from diseases.

High in Fiber

Standard chicken feed contains a balanced mix of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. There is one thing it does not account for — fiber. Chickens need fiber to boost their digestive health. Furthermore, fiber is needed to help reduce ammonia in their waste.

How Many Brussel Sprouts Should a Chicken Eat?

Can chickens eat Brussel sprouts? Yes, but you do not want to overdo it. As with all good things, they can become bad when consumed in excess. Chickens should get most of their calories from their feed. Without a high quality feed, your chickens will not be able to produce eggs. Even if they foraged all the time and got treats, they would be malnourished without a layer feed.

The general rule of thumb is that chickens should receive no more than 10% of their calories from fruits, vegetables, and other treats. That includes Brussel sprouts. A couple of Brussel sprouts for a small flock is usually enough. You may need more for larger flocks.

The Best Way to Feed Brussel Sprouts to Chickens

Whether you cooked up an excessive amount of Brussel sprouts or have been growing some in your garden, you have a couple of ways to give them to your flock. Chickens are not picky when it comes to preparation or presentation. To inspire feeding time, here are three ways to give Brussel sprouts to the flock:

Cooked, Chopped, and Tossed

The easier method for feeding Brussel sprouts to your chickens is to cook and chop them up. By cutting Brussel sprouts into halves or quarters, you make the pieces more manageable for your birds. However, whole sprouts can encourage some birds to work and play for their meal, which can help them expend calories.

Once cooked and prepped, you can put the Brussel sprouts on a shallow tray for your chickens to peck at throughout the day.  Make sure you throw away any uneaten sprouts before the day is through.

Hang a Stalk of Brussel Sprouts

Have some chunky cluckers wandering around the yard? Then you may want to consider mixing food and playtime together. Take some twine and tie it to a stalk of Brussel sprouts. Raw or steamed, leaving your Brussel sprouts on the stalk is a great way to encourage some foraging behaviors from your chickens and also eliminates some mess.

Your chickens will love having to run up and chase down a swaying stalk of sprouts. It will keep them busy and fed for hours. Once the day is done, untie whatever remains of the stalk and throw it away. Otherwise, rodents and predators may come prowling around.

As a Sprout Salad

Serving up a variety of fruits and vegetables to your chickens is always a good idea. Not only do they get to taste the rainbow, so to speak, but their diet is far more wholesome. Consider mixing cooked Brussel sprouts together with other nutritious fruits and vegetables, such as sugar snap peas, broccoli, carrots, and peppers.

You can also partner Brussel sprouts with fruit, including strawberries, kiwi, apples, banana, and melon.

If you want to boost the nutritional value of the salad even further, put some seeds or grains into the mix. Cooked quinoa or rice or chia seeds are all beneficial and filling.

Final Thoughts on Brussel Sprouts for Chickens

Can chickens eat Brussel sprouts? They can and most certainly will. Chickens love Brussel sprouts, which is good news, considering how great the little green nuggets are for the health of humans and birds alike. Cooked Brussel sprouts are naturally easier for chickens to consume, but do not be surprised if you find your chickens pecking happily at raw stalks of Brussel sprouts. So what are you waiting for? Introduce your chickens to delicious Brussel sprouts today.