Fowl Fodder Fallacies—What to, and not feed chickens

Chickens like to free range and eating worms and bugs helps add protein to their diets, yet they should be kept out of compost piles, which may contain maggots that can cause botulism. Tom Ungerer/Unsplash

The 2020 pandemic resulted in some unexpected hobbies. One of those is backyard chickens. News outlets nationwide touted the “COVID cluckers” trend as one that provided individuals and families with activity, enjoyment, and reward. Yet, misconceptions abound regarding what is safe and beneficial to feed backyard chickens.

Agricultural extension services and the 200-plus-year-old Farmers’ Almanac provide reliable information, but Colorado-based Nicole Gennetta, Heritage Acres Market, and host of the Backyard Bounty podcast, noted, “There is much misinformation out there about caring for chickens.”