Can chickens eat coffee grounds? The answer is NO, they shouldn’t.
Chickens are omnivores and probably will eat anything that you eat.
But, that doesn’t mean anything that’s safe for you is safe for them too.
Plus, using coffee as compost in gardens is a common practice in our homesteads.
So, there are huge chances that your birds will accidentally peck at coffee grounds.
For this reason, you need to be very alert and keep them at a safe distance from coffee grounds.
At my Ninja Homestead, I use alternative natural composts for the garden.
If you want to know their names and uses, scroll down!
What Does Coffee Do To Chickens?
Coffee can harm chickens with numerous health risks. That’s because coffee contains a high amount of caffeine, which is a methylxanthine. It’s a toxic compound that’s not suitable for chickens at all.
According to petMD, coffee is extremely harmful to chickens, dogs, and cats. If your chickens peck at coffee by chance, they can show symptoms of toxicity within 30 minutes. Caffeine toxicity can even kill them if you don’t pay any attention.
The size of chickens and the amount of coffee they’ve consumed are two determiners of the symptoms. Vomiting, agitation, panting, and hyperactivity can occur in the first stage. If not treated, it can lead to seizures and tremors.
For all these reasons, you need to be very careful about your flocks if they eat coffee accidentally. If you see any of the above symptoms, you need to contact a vet right away. Proper treatment at the right time is important to control the conditions.
Will Coffee Grounds Keep Chickens Away?
No, coffee grounds won’t keep chickens away from your yard. Though coffee is an incredible solution to keep insects and pests at bay, it doesn’t work on chickens. Rather, it can be extremely dangerous for your chickens.
If your chickens peck at coffee by chance, it can be extremely harmful to their health. I’ve already mentioned the signs of their discomfort after pecking at coffee.
An excess amount of caffeine toxicity can damage their kidneys permanently.
If you want to keep your chickens away from some toxic plants, you can use a motion-sensor sprinkler.
Chickens dislike water and they’ll hate it when they’re sprinkled with water. They’ll probably run away and never come back to that area.
Can You Give Green Tea To Chickens?
Can chickens eat coffee? No, they can’t. But what about tea?
Again, no, you can’t let your chicks drink tea. The reason is the same as coffee. Tea also contains methylxanthines, which are good for humans but harmful to chickens and other pets.
Even a small amount of tea can be toxic to your birds. If they peck at tea leaves by chance, the symptoms will be the same as coffee. Their heartbeat may increase, which can even lead to heart and kidney failure.
However, some experts say that green tea is still safe for chickens. It doesn’t contain toxic compounds and works as an excellent source of antioxidants. The egg-laying capacity of chickens may increase if they drink green tea.
Having said that, I still won’t suggest you give your chickens tea in any form. No tea or coffee and only safe fruits, veggies, and cereals. That’s what I follow while feeding my homestead flock.
Coffee Grounds In the Garden
As most of us know, coffee works excellently as natural compost. Some homesteaders use it in their gardens to cultivate fruits and veggies. Coffee is really good for the soil as well as the plants.
The method is to add the leftover coffee grounds or filters onto the compost pile. It adds nitrogen to the compost and fertilizes the soil.
Moreover, it works as an organic repeller of harmful pests and insects.
But, if you’re raising chickens on your homestead, using coffee compost can be dangerous. Your free-ranging birds will come across it easily and may peck at it.
So, you can think of alternate options like food scraps that are safe for your birds.
Do Coffee Grounds Attract Rats?
Can chickens eat coffee? You already know that they shouldn’t. But, you’ve probably heard that coffee grounds can attract rats to your garden. Is it a myth?
No, coffee grounds don’t attract rats and mice. Instead, they work as a natural repellant for these small animals. Rats are usually attracted to food smells but they dislike the smell of coffee grounds.
If your chicken run is at a safe distance from your composting area, you can use coffee as a rodent repellent. But, otherwise, it’s better to avoid coffee grounds to repel rats in the garden. You can use some alternative to it like black pepper.
Is Coffee Bedding Good For Chickens?
No, coffee bedding isn’t the best option for chickens. The reason is that your birds may feel sick due to caffeine toxicity. There’s a high chance that they might peck at the coffee grounds.
Many homesteaders use coffee bedding for chickens and they say it’s safe. That’s because their flock doesn’t like the taste of coffee and ignores it. But, I’m again quite skeptical about the consequences and haven’t tried it yet.
If you want to use coffee grounds for chicken bedding, make sure it’s used coffee. The content of caffeine reduces in used coffee than the freshly grounded coffee. That’s what I can suggest to you for using coffee grounds for chicken beds.
How Do You Use Coffee Grounds For Chicken Bedding?
You need to store used coffee grounds till you get them in a huge amount. Or, you can buy coffee beddings for chickens with recycled coffee grounds from a store.
Then, to see how your flocks interact with it, you can throw a small amount of it in their coop.
You need to make sure that your chickens aren’t eating the coffee grounds and that they are happy. After observing it, you can clean the coop and set their bedding on the coffee grounds.
Finally, you can add a layer of paper towels so that your chicks remain safe from toxicity.
Alternatives For Chicken Bedding
Can chickens eat coffee? No, chicken’s can’t eat coffee grounds. That’s why I’ve refrained from using coffee grounds in my garden compost and have found some great alternatives.
1. Pine Shavings
One of the most popular natural chicken bedding, pine shaving is inexpensive and easily available. It dries really fast and has a mild fragrance that chickens love.
2. Straw and Hay
A combination of straw and hay can be the best choice for your flock’s bedding. It has an earthy smell that attracts birds.
3. Grass Clippings
If you have grass clippings in your garden, you can use them as chicken bedding. The bedding will be soft and breathable to your chicks.
4. Sand
Sand bedding for chickens is the easiest to clean. It’s inexpensive, quick-drying, and is the favorite of chickens.
Top Chicken Bedding
1. Precision Pet Products Nesting Chicken Bedding
If you’re looking for nesting pad bedding for your flock, this one from Precision Pet Products will be a suitable choice. The material is wood shavings with paper backing, which dries within minutes. Plus, it can provide the best support if your hens are laying eggs. The size of the pad can easily accommodate inside standard nesting boxes.
Pros
- The cushioned surface is soft
- Best for laying eggs
- Uses biodegradable materials
- Paper backing ensures dryness
- Natural and safe
Cons
- Can get too warm in summer
- No pleasing scent
2. Small Pet Select Aspen Bedding
The jumbo-sized aspen bedding pack from Small Pet Select is soft, natural bedding for your chickens. Made of wood shavings, the product is safe without any chemicals. There’s no fiber used in this bedding, which could be potentially dangerous. The best part is that the bedding material is recyclable as you can use it for compost.
Pros
- Safe and natural
- No reclaimed fiber used
- No additives used
- Can be recycled
- Bulk size
Cons
- No fragrance
- Dries moderately
3. Central Garden & Pet Cozy Bedding
If you’re looking for a chicken bedding that isn’t well structured and dries quickly, you can opt for this one from Central Garden & Pet. It’s made of recycled paper and is easy to clean litter. The manufacturing brand claims that it absorbed liquid better than wood shavings. The product ensures odor control, which is definitely an upside.
Pros
- Loose and soft material
- Very cozy bedding
- Ideal for summer
- Dries really fast
- Absorbs liquid better
Cons
- Made of recycled paper
- Required in large quantity
4. Central Garden & Pet Pine Bedding
If you specifically need pine bedding for your chickens, this one from Central Garden & Pet will be a good choice. Made of natural pine shavings, the product is natural and safe. Unlike other beddings, this product can eliminate wood debris and dust. So, your birds will always glow in their clean and soft bedding.
Pros
- Made of pine wood shavings
- Keeps coop clean
- Also suitable for rabbits
- Biodegradable product
- Available in a large pack
Cons
- Required in large quantity
- Not the best option for ventilation
Conclusion
Can chickens eat coffee grounds?
No, never!
Check out this great video of “5 Things You Shouldn’t Feed Your Chickens, 5 You Should”
You need to make sure that your birds don’t peck at coffee grounds ever.
But, if they have and you’re worried, consulting a vet and checking their symptoms are a must.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Homestead Lifestyle Board!!
