Yes, chickens can eat mushrooms, as long as they’re the store-bought kind. White button, portobello, shiitake, oyster, and enoki mushrooms are safe raw or cooked, chopped into small pieces and fed as an occasional treat. Wild mushrooms are a different story: chickens can’t reliably tell toxic species from safe ones, and a death cap or fly agaric in the run can make a hen seriously ill or kill her.
Below are the mushrooms that are safe for chickens, the ones to remove from your yard, and how to serve them. Not sure what’s growing in the run? Check it with our mushroom identifier. Keep dogs too? See which mushrooms are safe for dogs.
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Are Mushrooms Good for Chickens?
Mushrooms are good for chickens in small amounts. Store-bought kinds like white button mushrooms add protein, B vitamins, and minerals such as selenium and potassium, and free-range hens peck at mushrooms the same way they hunt for worms and bugs. Some studies on poultry feed suggest that mushroom powders may support gut health and immunity, but mushrooms are still a treat, not a replacement for a complete layer feed. Keep all treats, mushrooms included, under 10% of what your hens eat. The real risk is wild mushrooms, which chickens eat just as readily as safe ones.
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:
- Shiitake
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
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.
- White
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.
- Oyster
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
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.
- Enoki
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:
- Death cap (Amanita phalloides): A greenish to olive cap, white gills, a ring on the stem, and a cup-like sac at the base. Its amatoxins destroy the liver, and the death cap is responsible for most deaths from foraged mushrooms worldwide. Symptoms in people often appear 6 to 24 hours after eating, when the damage is already underway.
- 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
Can chickens eat raw mushrooms?
Yes, chickens can eat raw store-bought mushrooms like button, cremini, portobello, shiitake, and oyster. Chop them into small, pea-sized pieces so hens can swallow them easily, and serve them fresh, never slimy or moldy.
Can chickens eat cooked mushrooms?
Chickens can eat cooked mushrooms as long as they’re plain. Skip butter, oil, salt, onion, and garlic, since onion and garlic are harmful to chickens. Leftover mushrooms from a seasoned dish shouldn’t go to the flock.
Can chickens eat white mushrooms?
Yes, chickens can eat white mushrooms. White button, cremini, and portobello are all the same species at different ages, so they’re equally safe raw or cooked in small amounts.
Can chickens eat wild mushrooms from the yard?
No, chickens shouldn’t eat wild mushrooms from the yard or the run. Some lawn mushrooms are harmless, but others are toxic, and chickens can’t tell them apart. Remove mushrooms as soon as they appear; here’s how to get rid of mushrooms in your yard.
Do chickens know which mushrooms are poisonous?
No, chickens don’t reliably avoid poisonous mushrooms. They peck at most things that fit in their beaks, so the safest approach is to keep wild mushrooms out of their space. Mushrooms usually return after rain, so check the run often; learn why mushrooms grow in your yard.
How many mushrooms can chickens eat?
Chickens can eat a small handful of chopped mushrooms a few times a week, shared across the flock. Keep all treats, mushrooms included, under 10% of their daily diet so they still get enough nutrients from their layer feed.
What happens if a chicken eats a poisonous mushroom?
A chicken that eats a poisonous mushroom may become lethargic, stop eating, have diarrhea, or walk unsteadily, and some species can kill a hen. Separate the bird, remove any remaining mushrooms, and call a vet who treats poultry right away.
Can ducks eat mushrooms?
Ducks can eat the same store-bought mushrooms as chickens, raw or plainly cooked and chopped into small pieces. Like chickens, they shouldn’t eat wild mushrooms from the yard or near ponds.
