After witnessing your backyard-raised chickens snack on a clump of fungi, you may not stop wondering, 'Can chickens eat mushrooms?' Answering this intriguing question highly depends on the variety we are discussing. While chickens are omnivores by nature, feeding them with mushrooms–biologically neither animal nor plant–is probably not well-known to many and is not customary. We have specially made this article to shed some light on this exciting topic, debunking myths and proving facts. So, keep swiping up!
Are Mushrooms Good for Chickens?
If you ask, do chickens eat mushrooms, and are they good for them? The answer is yes–often, they scour intrinsically for added protein sources. Caterpillars, earthworms, and, of course, mushrooms are irresistible treats! In fact, commercial-scale farms often use feeds fortified with proteins that are sourced from edible species. However, it is a different story if the species in question is a toxic one, so be sure to follow proper precautions!
Mushroom Species That Are Safe for Chickens
Now that we know the answer to ‘can chickens have mushrooms,’ let’s delve into what species are safe for them. The following are perhaps some of the most common ones:
Known for their brown cap and off-white stalk, shiitake mushrooms are an East Asian delicacy that is edible to chickens. The only disadvantage is that this option might be a bit expensive compared to others. But it's definitely a gourmet meal for your chickens!
Portobello is a mushroom species widely cultivated worldwide. It is known for its smooth brown cap, in contrast to shiitakes, which are mainly fissured. This edible protein-packed veggie is often enjoyed cooked as stir-fries, but it is highly appreciated by your chickens when chopped into cubes and fed raw.
If you ask, 'Can chickens eat white mushrooms?' the answer is a definitive yes! White mushroom is a general term used to refer to many species of white macrofungi such as Oyster, Button, or Common field ones. However, it is not uncommon if they really mean the Agaricus bisporus. Like with humans, white mushrooms are totally safe for consumption by chickens.
Best known for their fan-shaped caps, oyster mushrooms are a good treat for backyard poultry. Many strains, such as pink, white, or brown, are available in the market, all of which are fit for bird consumption!
Button mushroom is a colloquial term often associated with many varieties whose caps have yet to open. But most commonly, when someone says button, they probably refer to the Agaricus bisporus, a widely cultivated white strain that appears like buttons when sold. To feed your chickens with button mushrooms, be sure that they are peck-sized to prevent choking.
Common to many Asian supermarkets, Enoki mushrooms are identifiable by their long aggregated stalks, crowned with tiny white caps. If you are out of chicken feed, this specialty ingredient is also a good snack for your home-raised hens. They might be a little expensive, though, but your chickens definitely won't resist!
Can Chickens Eat the Following Types of Mushrooms
Another popular question is, 'Can chickens eat mushrooms that have naturally sprouted or are store-bought?' Below, we have a breakdown to respond to this query:
Wild Mushrooms
Many wild mushrooms are edible but there are also species with less palatability or known toxicity. The good thing is chickens have an innate instinct to know which ones are good or bad, spitting them immediately if they sense something is off. However, this natural mechanism is not foolproof. If you find a reddish kind or one with bleeding sap that changes with contact in the air, do not hesitate to scoop it out of your lawn.
Mushrooms From the Store
If you have recently purchased a mushroom from a store, fresh, frozen, or canned, it is 100% guaranteed that they are edible for human consumption. And something that's good for humans is also suitable for chickens! These grocery-bought kinds, often ranging from the most common ones–Button, Oyster, Portobello, Shiitake, to the most expensive ones–Chanterelle, Truffles, and Morels are satisfying delights for your free-range hens.
Mushrooms Growing in Yard
Like with wild mushrooms, there is a 50-50 chance that you will encounter a poisonous one relative to the edible or non-toxic varieties. As previously mentioned, if you observe a brightly colored cap like the fly agaric, dark-toned, bleeds a different color, or simply an unfamiliar one, consider eliminating them immediately from your backyard. Your chickens might ingest them accidentally, which can cause diarrhea, gastric distress, nausea, and even death.
What Mushrooms Are Best for Chickens–Raw or Cooked?
Chickens eat mushrooms whether they are raw or cooked. But, for a simple and faster preparation, you can simply give it to them raw. Chickens do not care whether they are prepared elaborately using haute cuisine techniques. What matters most is the size and quantity! So, to avoid blocking their esophagus, introduce grain-sized portions into their feeding troughs.
Health Benefits of Mushrooms for Chickens
After answering, "Can chickens eat raw mushrooms or the ones already prepared,' let's tackle another critical question: does it offer unique benefits? According to studies, the short answer is yes! And you can find some in the following:
- Fast muscle growth–Mushrooms are a good source of many amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. These nutrients are needed for the rapid muscle growth of your free-range chickens.
- Rich in minerals–Minerals like selenium, potassium, and copper are just a few of the crucial nutrients for chickens' metabolic functions, feather quality, and egg production. So expect a high-performing chicken in terms of their egg and carcass weight if you follow a mushroom-based diet!
- Improved gut health–Chickens fed with fungi as part of their diet had a healthier digestive system due to increased microbiome activities. These beneficial germs make your chickens grow even better through better disease resistance and enhanced assimilation of nutrients.
- Enhanced egg quality–Because mushrooms are rich in nutrients and omega-3 fatty acids, their consumption promotes stronger shells and nutritious eggs.
- Immunity system boost–If you want antibiotic-free chickens, feeding mushrooms might just boost their health, reducing their dependence on these drugs. As these edible fungi are packed with nutrients and enhance microbial gut health, your hens develop a stronger immune system.
Are There Any Mushrooms Poisonous to Chickens?
There is a lack of scientific studies as to what species of mushrooms can harm chickens and how much is the safe limit.However, it can be inferred that human-poisonous ones are also dangerous for their consumption. Many of these species are well-published, such as the Death Cap, Fly Agaric, Jack-o-Lantern, Webcaps, or Destroying Angels.
Mushroom Species to Avoid Feeding Chickens
All edible mushroom species do not pose a significant risk of poisoning when fed in moderation. However, if you find wild species below that resemble the edible version, think twice before feeding them:
- Deathcap (Amanita phalloides)—The cosmopolitan Deathcap might be on the list of the deadliest mushrooms. It accounts for the major poisoning reports. When consumed, it can damage major human organs, and it likely has the same effects on chickens.
- Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) is a red mushroom with white scales on the cap. While it is easily distinguishable, most poisoning accounts were due to misidentifying it as the edible Armillaria cf. mellea and A. basii.
- Jack-o-Lantern (Omphalotus olearius)–Another common poisonous mushroom is the glow-in-the-dark Omphalotus olearius. It resembles the expensive Chanterelle mushrooms. If you find any yellowish species in your parcel and are unsure of its identity, you're better off not feeding them to your chicks!
- Webcaps (Cortinarius spp.)–This edible genus has 2 most deadly species under the name of Deadly Webcap (Cortinarius rubellus) and the Fool's Webcap (Cortinarius orellanus). If overfed, it can result in your chicken's kidney failure, or if it's their bad day–death.
- Destroying Angels (Amanita spp.)–Many species of Amanita, collectively known as Destroying Angels, are poisonous. Despite the pure white appearance, they hide an obscure ability–making many organisms sick, including chickens, attempting to consume their flesh.
FAQ
What Foods Chickens Can Not Eat?
Many foods are actually toxic to hens. Most of these have naturally occurring compounds that cause organ failure, such as raw potatoes, uncooked beans, and rhubarb leaves. Other commonly consumed products like chocolate and onions are also fatal for chickens.
Can Ducks Eat Mushrooms?
Ducks are also omnivorous avians and can, therefore, consume mushrooms like chickens. Their bigger and flatter beaks are adapted to take in relatively bigger pieces. However, to facilitate ease in feeding, chopping these into finer cubes is recommended.
Can Chickens Eat Moldy Vegetables, Bread?
While they can eat stale or a few days-old bread, it is advisable to remove the chunks with moldy growth. Because of their relatively small size, chickens are more prone to die with mycotoxins than we humans.
Do Chickens Eat Mushrooms?
Chickens, by nature, eat virtually anything that fits in their beak. If you see mushrooms in your backyard, they know which ones to ingest or not. But, for added precautionary measures than being sorry, uproot the ones with known toxicity. In addition, if you're wondering, "Do chickens like mushrooms?"–well, they don't really care about the taste and will simply eat what they find.
