Can chickens eat avocado?
No – toxic. Chickens should never eat avocado. UC Cooperative Extension and RSPCA Australia say not to feed avocado. UF/IFAS Extension lists the skin and pit under “never feed.” UF/IFAS says the toxin persin is concentrated in the skin, pit and leaves and can cause breathing problems, weakness and heart issues. A Colorado State guide considers the flesh fine, and the Merck Veterinary Manual says chickens seem more resistant than pet birds, so we err on the side of caution.
Good to know: The Merck Veterinary Manual reports lethargy, labored breathing, loss of appetite, swelling of the neck and chest, and death in birds after eating avocado.
Did your chicken eat some?
If your hen ate something toxic or seems unwell, call your vet – the RSPCA says to always contact a vet if you’re concerned. Keep a sample of the feed (Merck Veterinary Manual).
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply)
- Tell your vet what your hen ate, how much and when.
Better choices, for example
Questions
My chicken ate avocado. What should I do?
If your hen ate something toxic or seems unwell, call your vet – the RSPCA says to always contact a vet if you’re concerned. Keep a sample of the feed (Merck Veterinary Manual).
Sources
- UF/IFAS Extension – AN239: Raising Backyard Chickens for Eggs
- UC Cooperative Extension / UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine – Feeding your Flock (Pitesky, Reimers)
- UF/IFAS Extension Holmes County – 10 Foods You Should Never Feed Chickens (2026)
- RSPCA Australia – How do I keep my chickens safe in my yard?
- British Hen Welfare Trust – A guide to chicken treats; everything in moderation (2024)
- Colorado State University Extension – Raising Poultry the Organic Way: Disease Control and Feeding
- Merck Veterinary Manual – Avocado (Persea spp) Toxicosis in Animals
- Ask Extension #228103 – List of Forbidden Foods for Chickens (2015)
Last checked: November 2026