Can Chickens Eat Basil?

Can chickens eat basil? Glad you asked. Chickens enjoy various food such as mint and almonds, but can chickens eat basil? Is it good for them? What about basil stems, leaves and seeds? Keep reading to find out.

Can Chickens Eat Basil?

Yes, chickens can eat basil including leaves, stems and flowers, but before you start feeding basil to chickens, there are some caveats you should be aware of first. Let’s find out what’s good and bad about feeding basil to your backyard pet.

Is Basil Good for Chickens?

Yes, All basil parts are good and safe for chickens to eat in moderate amounts. However, you need to learn how to prepare it to prevent some risks.

Basil contain many nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, proteins and carbs that can benefit the health of your chickens.

Below, we’ve put together few of the health benefits of feeding basil to chickens.

Vitamins

fowls use vitamins to maintain their body functions. Below are some vitamins that chickens can get from basil.

Vitamin A is vital for your feathered friends to maintain healthy organs and eyes.
Vitamin C helps create antibodies which are crucial for your chicken’s immune system, and it also acts as an anti-inflammatory
Vitamin K in basil helps birds’ blood’s ability to clot normally.

Minerals

Chickens need various minerals in their meal. Down below are few minerals that poultry can get from basil.

Potassium in basil keep blood pressure in control and protect your chickens from strokes and other diseases such as osteoporosis and kidney stones.
Calcium content of basil help chickens build and maintain healthy and strong bones. The chickens’ heart, muscles and nerves also require calcium to function properly.
Magnesium content of basil aids the backyard pets’ body to have healthy blood sugar levels as well as a healthy heart.
Iron in basil is vital for birds’ body to produce healthy red blood cells.

Fiber

Basil consists of 1.6% fiber which keep your chicken’s digestion system in good condition.

Protein

Basil also consists of 3.2% protein which is required for chickens’ growth.

Is Basil Bad for Chickens?

No, basil is neither bad nor poisonous to chickens. However, eating significant amounts can lead to some severe side effects like diarrhea and digestion issues because of the high water content.

Do Chickens Like Basil?

Unfortunately, we can’t ask our chickens what they like. However, figuring out what chickens like and dislikes is not really that hard because if your chicken like something, they will eat it; if they do not, they won’t eat it.

However, a lot of chickens will enjoy eating basil like in the video below.

However, it’s possible your chickens won’t like it at all because of the bitter taste, and that’s fine. Chickens have their own dietary preferences.

If your chicken isn’t interested in a food, there are many others that you can substitute it with.

How Much Basil Can Chickens Eat?

There is no rule about how much basil chickens can eat. However, basil or any other food should never make more than 10% of chickens’ total calories. You should consider basil as a treat, not as replacement for their main food. If you give your chickens basil, it should be as a part of a well-balanced food.

How to Feed Basil to Chickens?

Here is how you can offer basil to chickens.

It is best to seek organic basil whenever possible.
Wash the basil stems thoroughly to remove any potential pesticides.
chop the basil up into smaller pieces that your chicken can easily enjoy.
Mix the basil with other foods that your chicken enjoy.
Start with a smaller amount of basil the first time you give it to your chicken to see if they show any negative signs. This should be done with any new treat.

Conclusion: Can Chickens Eat Basil?

Yes, chickens can eat basil, including the stems and flowers in moderation. It is healthy and safe for chickens. However, it can lead to some issues if over-consumed.

And with so many healthy options available out there. Basil is best served up with other food that your chicken usually enjoy.

You should keep basil as a treat, and don’t replace it with the chickens’ main meal.