Can chickens eat onions?

Better not: chickens shouldn’t eat onions. UF/IFAS Extension says large amounts of onions can damage red blood cells and may cause anemia. Small amounts are usually not harmful but shouldn’t be a regular part of the diet. Colorado State says to avoid onions, so we err on the side of caution.

Good to know: Extension.org notes that eggs might take on the flavor of onions.

Kitchen scraps: The rules depend on where you live. US extension services allow small amounts of table scraps, no more than 10 percent of the daily diet (Oklahoma State). In the UK, it’s illegal to feed kitchen scraps to chickens, even pet hens (RSPCA, APHA). In the EU, Germany’s agriculture ministry (BMLEH) says kitchen and food waste must not be fed to laying hens.