Can Chickens Eat Brussels Sprouts? Things You Need to Know

Can chickens eat Brussels sprouts? This is a common question by most of the chicken raisers.

Do you want to know all about feeding Brussels sprouts to your chickens? If yes, this guide will help you.

Brussels sprouts are a healthy green vegetable, but anything different from chicken’s daily feed requires careful consideration.

Feeding Brussels sprouts to chickens as a treat is nutritious for your chickens. 

But there are some recommended ways and techniques to give this vegetable to your flock.

Without knowing these steps, you may overfeed your chickens with Brussels sprouts. Overfeeding may cause health issues in your flocks. 

This guide will discuss feeding Brussels sprouts to chickens, their pros and cons, and the proper feeding methods.

Moreover, we have explained the primary nutritional values of Brussels sprouts that are helpful for chicken’s health.

Also read: Best Green for Chickens

Nutritional Values of Brussels Sprouts (With Feeding Benefits) 

Here is a list of the USDA’s nutritional values for raw Brussels sprouts. You can see the table and understand how healthy it is for chickens:

Nutrient	Amount
Water	86g
Potassium	389mg
Fiber	3.8g
Protein	3.38g
Carbohydrate	8.95g
Vitamin C	85mg
Calcium	42mg
Iron	1.4mg
Phosphorus	69mg
Magnesium	23mg
Sodium	25mg
Zinc	0.42mg
Manganese	0.337mg
Selenium	1.6µg
Thiamin	0.139mg
Riboflavin	0.09mg
Niacin	0.745mg
Pantothenic Acid	0.309mg
Vitamin B-6	0.219mg
Folate	61µg
Choline	19.1mg
Betaine	0.8mg
Vitamin A (RAE)	38µg
Beta Carotene	450µg
Lutein + Zeaxanthin	1590µg
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)	0.88mg
Vitamin K (phylloquinone)	177µg
Saturated Fat	0.062g
Polyunsaturated Fat	0.153g
Monounsaturated Fat	0.023g

We can now see that the nutritional composition of Brussels sprouts is lovely and best for your chicken’s health. 

It has a high amount of water, so it can be a great treat to keep your chickens hydrated in the summer.

Brussels sprouts contain a good amount of protein, calcium, and phosphorus, so adding them to daily chicken feed is best.

It also promotes muscle building, bone strength, and eggshell formation in chickens. 

Nutrient vitamins C, E, and A in Brussels sprouts provide antioxidants and boost your chicken’s immunity.

The fiber present in Brussels sprouts maintains the chicken’s gut and a healthy gastrointestinal tract. 

Selenium and zinc are important nutrients found in Brussels sprouts, which are helpful as immunity boosters and for proper physiological functions in poultry birds.

How Should You Feed Brussels Sprouts to Your Chicken?

Give as little as possible when you give a new treat or food to your chicken for the first time. It is because they need to adjust their digestive system.

I recommend giving your chickens a small portion of boiled Brussels sprouts. That is the best type that you can give.

Boiled Brussels sprouts are healthy and easy to digest. Boiling and washing also remove the germs and microorganisms present in it.

Moreover, you must understand that food other than chicken’s regular feed must be 10% of their daily diet.

Giving them less than 10% of their daily feed is okay, but more than the limit is not suitable for their health.

Below, we have provided some fantastic and easy ways to add Brussels sprouts to chicken daily feed.

Here are a few common ways to feed Brussels sprouts to your chickens:

Mixing Brussels Sprouts With Regular Chicken Feed

You can add Brussels sprouts to regular chicken feed. As it’s a chicken treat, give them a smaller amount.

You can add them with daily feed by chopping them into small pieces. It will be easy to peck and eat by chickens.

Give as little as possible, and give them a little more when your chickens start liking it. Do not give large amounts at once.

Chickens eat lots of things in the backyard garden during foraging. But they only eat what they need, like bugs, grass, vegetables, grit, and more.

Mostly, they know what is safe and what is harmful for them. But in reality, they have a sensitive stomach, so they can eat things that suit them. 

So, after feeding Brussels sprouts to your flock, watch for symptoms like diarrhea or loss of appetite.

If your chickens’ digestive system doesn’t suit Brussels sprouts, stop giving them immediately. You must know all about chicken poop conditions.

However, my chickens love to peck and eat Brussels sprouts, but I give them as an occasional treat.

Feeding Raw Brussels Sprouts To Chickens

There is no issue with feeding raw Brussels sprouts if it does not harm your chicken’s health. If your chickens love to eat them, give them.

But give them only as a treat. As we have already mentioned, treats must be 10% of the daily diet. So, it is best to give them occasionally.

If they feel it is hard, chop them into small pieces. That will be easy for your backyard boys and girls to digest and live healthy.

Although Brussels sprouts are good for hens, they should not replace their usual feed.

Their health depends on a balanced diet of commercial chicken feed, fruits, greens, vegetables, grains, and protein.

If they feel any discomfort after feeding Brussels sprouts, stop giving them and keep monitoring. Also, talk with a vet if you see unknown symptoms.

Frozen Brussels Sprouts

Frozen Brussels sprouts are one of the best treats for summer. For extremely high-temperature areas, your chickens can enjoy frozen Brussels sprouts.

You don’t have to do anything; just keep Brussels sprouts in a container and leave them till they’re freezing. After that, you can give it to your chickens.

Adult chickens love to peck and get their freezing cool treat. However, pullets and chicks can enjoy this type of treat because of their soft beak.

Freezing the Brussels sprout loses a very small number of nutritional values and does not hamper anything.

You can try the same using various types of fruits like mangoes, oranges, and grapes.

If any digestive issues or adverse reactions occur, it is necessary to limit or discontinue feeding frozen Brussels sprouts.

Chop in Small Pieces and Give Brussels

Chickens should occasionally eat Brussels sprouts, whether chopped into small pieces or given raw.

The Brussels sprouts treat must be easy to digest. If you have chickens smaller than 4-5 months, I recommend boiling them before chopping.

Bolling will make it soft and easy to digest and remove unwanted pathogens. As we have already said, Brussels sprouts should not be your chicken’s main feed.

Balanced feed is full of protein, vitamins, and minerals must be the priority. They need a range of fresh foods for a healthy diet.

Giving excessive Brussels sprouts may cause stomach difficulties in certain birds. If problems arise, frozen Brussels sprouts may need to be reduced or stopped.

Drawbacks or Risks of Feeding Brussels Sprouts to Chickens

Anything other than a chicken’s daily diet may cause health issues in chickens. Similarly, feeding Brussels sprouts to chickens may cause health issues.

There are very few health problems seen while feeding Brussels sprouts to flocks.

Address any potential interactions between Brussels sprouts and medication or health conditions to your vet immediately if you see them.

Some chickens have seen digestive issues when given in raw form, mostly when given in chilled and frozen conditions.

As it’s a chicken treat, you must follow the moderation 1/10 rule for treats. If the Brussels sprouts do not cause health issues, gradually increase their quantity.

If you are feeding Brussels sprouts for the first time, watch your flock. You can use a chicken coop camera when you go to the office or out to ensure the safety of your chickens.

For any type of contraindications or precautions, talk with your vet.

Conclusion (Can Chickens Eat Brussels Sprouts?)

We can conclude that chickens can easily and happily eat Brussels sprouts. You rarely see chickens that do not like this healthy backyard treat.

It is nutritious and good for flock health if given in moderation. Excessive giving may cause digestive problems in chickens.

Whether you give it in frozen condition or chopped, it must be under the daily recommended quantity. 

If you are raising chickens inside a coop, this is one of the best natural treats for your flock. It will provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals they lack because of confinement.

Still, keep an eye on their health when feeding them treats like Brussels sprouts. If you see any symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, and lack of appetite, seek medical help.

Contacting the nearest vet is best for consulting and discussing the issue. 

I hope this guide helped you know all about feeding Brussels sprout chickens. Let me know your experience feeding Brussels sprouts to your chickens.

People will love to read about your experience.