{"id":2811,"date":"2023-12-29T23:32:44","date_gmt":"2023-12-29T23:32:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/?p=2811"},"modified":"2023-12-29T23:32:45","modified_gmt":"2023-12-29T23:32:45","slug":"can-chickens-eat-buckwheat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/can-chickens-eat-buckwheat\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Chickens Eat Buckwheat?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>I still remember the day I first got my little flock of chickens.<\/p>\n<p>I was so excited to have a fresh supply of eggs, but had no idea how much work it would be to keep the feathered ladies happy and healthy.<\/p>\n<p>After just a few days, I realized I needed to learn a lot more about chicken care and feeding!<\/p>\n<p>One of the first things I researched was what types of grains and <a href=\"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/can-chickens-eat-spaghetti-squash-seeds\/\">seeds chickens can eat<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>I wanted to make sure my girls were getting plenty of variety in their diet.<\/p>\n<p>And I&#8217;ll admit, I had no idea what buckwheat was at the time!<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_66_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-665efb386c721\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-665efb386c721\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/can-chickens-eat-buckwheat\/#What_is_Buckwheat\" title=\"What is Buckwheat?\">What is Buckwheat?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/can-chickens-eat-buckwheat\/#The_Nutritional_Benefits_of_Buckwheat_for_Chickens\" title=\"The Nutritional Benefits of Buckwheat for Chickens\">The Nutritional Benefits of Buckwheat for Chickens<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/can-chickens-eat-buckwheat\/#How_Much_Buckwheat_Should_Chickens_Eat\" title=\"How Much Buckwheat Should Chickens Eat?\">How Much Buckwheat Should Chickens Eat?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/can-chickens-eat-buckwheat\/#Where_to_Buy_Buckwheat_for_Chickens\" title=\"Where to Buy Buckwheat for Chickens\">Where to Buy Buckwheat for Chickens<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/can-chickens-eat-buckwheat\/#How_to_Serve_Buckwheat_to_Chickens\" title=\"How to Serve Buckwheat to Chickens\">How to Serve Buckwheat to Chickens<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/can-chickens-eat-buckwheat\/#Sprouting_Buckwheat_for_Chickens\" title=\"Sprouting Buckwheat for Chickens\">Sprouting Buckwheat for Chickens<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/can-chickens-eat-buckwheat\/#Feeding_Buckwheat_to_Baby_Chicks\" title=\"Feeding Buckwheat to Baby Chicks\">Feeding Buckwheat to Baby Chicks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/can-chickens-eat-buckwheat\/#Other_Types_of_Poultry_That_Enjoy_Buckwheat\" title=\"Other Types of Poultry That Enjoy Buckwheat\">Other Types of Poultry That Enjoy Buckwheat<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_Buckwheat\"><\/span>What is Buckwheat?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2813 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/replicate-prediction-sp2nzedb27udwswadntaulyixq.png\" alt=\"Can Chickens Eat Buckwheat?\" width=\"1216\" height=\"808\" srcset=\"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/replicate-prediction-sp2nzedb27udwswadntaulyixq.png 1216w, https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/replicate-prediction-sp2nzedb27udwswadntaulyixq-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/replicate-prediction-sp2nzedb27udwswadntaulyixq-768x510.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1216px) 100vw, 1216px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Buckwheat may sound like wheat, but it&#8217;s actually not a grain at all.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s the seed from a <a href=\"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/can-chickens-eat-hibiscus-flowers\/\">flowering<\/a> plant that&#8217;s related to rhubarb and sorrel.<\/p>\n<p>The seeds are triangular shaped and used similarly to grains.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s a great source of nutrients like manganese, magnesium, and fiber.<\/p>\n<p>Buckwheat is most commonly used to make soba noodles and pancake mixes.<\/p>\n<p>But it can also be fed as a treat to chickens in moderation.<\/p>\n<p>When I first started researching chicken treats, I kept hearing about feeding them buckwheat.<\/p>\n<p>I asked around to some fellow chicken owners and they all raved about how much their hens loved it.<\/p>\n<p>But I still had no clue what buckwheat actually was or where to find it.<\/p>\n<p>I figured it must be some type of wheat or grain.<\/p>\n<p>So when I went to the feed store and couldn&#8217;t locate buckwheat with the other grains, I was totally confused.<\/p>\n<p>I had to ask the shopkeeper, who explained that buckwheat isn&#8217;t really a wheat at all.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s actually the seed from a <a href=\"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/can-chickens-eat-honeysuckle\/\">flowering<\/a> plant called a buckwheat.<\/p>\n<p>The seeds are triangle shaped, not long like grains of wheat or oats.<\/p>\n<p>Once I saw a picture, I felt pretty silly for assuming buckwheat was a grain!<\/p>\n<p>But now I know what to look for and can pick some up anytime as a healthy treat for my girls.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Nutritional_Benefits_of_Buckwheat_for_Chickens\"><\/span>The Nutritional Benefits of Buckwheat for Chickens<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2814 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/replicate-prediction-lj2np5dbedosszhcbj5slq3vem.png\" alt=\"Can Chickens Eat Buckwheat?\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/replicate-prediction-lj2np5dbedosszhcbj5slq3vem.png 1200w, https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/replicate-prediction-lj2np5dbedosszhcbj5slq3vem-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/replicate-prediction-lj2np5dbedosszhcbj5slq3vem-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Buckwheat has quite a few nutrients that are great for chicken health:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Protein &#8211; Helps <a href=\"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/crackin-the-code-ins-outs-of-why-chickens-lay-eggs-daily\/\">chickens grow muscle and lay eggs<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Amino acids &#8211; Important for <a href=\"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/rhode-island-red-egg-production\/\">egg production<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Magnesium &#8211; Strengthens eggshells<\/p>\n<p>Manganese &#8211; Boosts bone health<\/p>\n<p>With benefits like these, it&#8217;s no wonder buckwheat makes a nutritious supplemental feed for chickens!<\/p>\n<p>The protein and amino acids in buckwheat are especially helpful for laying hens.<\/p>\n<p>Eggs are made up of a lot of protein, so my girls need a good protein source to keep producing them.<\/p>\n<p>The older ladies in my flock sometimes get thin eggshells as they age.<\/p>\n<p>So the magnesium in buckwheat helps keep their shells nice and strong.<\/p>\n<p>I also have a couple bantam chickens who are prone to weak bones.<\/p>\n<p>The manganese in buckwheat helps prevent bone issues for my smaller girls.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s been great seeing how buckwheat helps with different health needs for each chicken.<\/p>\n<p>Some use the protein for laying, some strengthen their bones.<\/p>\n<p>But they all go crazy for those tasty little triangle seeds!<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Much_Buckwheat_Should_Chickens_Eat\"><\/span>How Much Buckwheat Should Chickens Eat?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2812 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/replicate-prediction-kwogaztbhhydmuvi5yibxr52du.png\" alt=\"Can Chickens Eat Buckwheat?\" width=\"1232\" height=\"816\" srcset=\"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/replicate-prediction-kwogaztbhhydmuvi5yibxr52du.png 1232w, https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/replicate-prediction-kwogaztbhhydmuvi5yibxr52du-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/replicate-prediction-kwogaztbhhydmuvi5yibxr52du-768x509.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1232px) 100vw, 1232px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>While buckwheat can be a healthy treat for chickens, you don&#8217;t want to go overboard.<\/p>\n<p>Too much buckwheat could lead to loose droppings since it&#8217;s fairly high in fiber.<\/p>\n<p>A good rule of thumb is to limit treats like buckwheat to 10% or less of your chickens&#8217; total daily diet.<\/p>\n<p>For most backyard chickens, 1-2 tablespoons of buckwheat per bird per day is plenty.<\/p>\n<p>Mix it into their feeder to encourage foraging and provide variety.<\/p>\n<p>Or hide it around their run so they can scratch and peck for the tasty seeds!<\/p>\n<p>When I first got buckwheat for my flock, I had no idea how much to give them.<\/p>\n<p>I starting tossing big handfuls into their run, thinking they&#8217;d love the bounty.<\/p>\n<p>But then I noticed loose, watery poops &#8211; a sign I was overdoing it.<\/p>\n<p>After asking other chicken keepers, I realized you only need a small amount as a supplemental treat.<\/p>\n<p>Now I measure out a couple tablespoons per chicken and mix it into their feed.<\/p>\n<p>They have to forage through to find the buckwheat triangles.<\/p>\n<p>It keeps them busy and happy without disrupting their digestion.<\/p>\n<p>The variety seems to perk them up and get them laying more eggs too!<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_to_Buy_Buckwheat_for_Chickens\"><\/span>Where to Buy Buckwheat for Chickens<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Now that I knew buckwheat made a great treat, I needed to find a source to buy it from.<\/p>\n<p>At first I checked the same feed store where I get my regular chicken feed.<\/p>\n<p>But I had no luck finding buckwheat there with the other grains.<\/p>\n<p>Next I tried a health food store, since I know people sometimes eat buckwheat.<\/p>\n<p>They had whole buckwheat groats for human consumption, but only in huge bulk bags.<\/p>\n<p>Finally I found rolled buckwheat at my local farm supply store, sold in smaller 5 pound bags.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s meant as horse and livestock feed, but perfectly fine for chickens too.<\/p>\n<p>The rolled variety makes it easier for the chickens to eat compared to whole groats.<\/p>\n<p>Now I keep a bag handy and pick up a new one every month or two.<\/p>\n<p>It took some searching, but now I&#8217;ve got an easy source for buckwheat as a treat!<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Serve_Buckwheat_to_Chickens\"><\/span>How to Serve Buckwheat to Chickens<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>I like to mix up how I serve buckwheat to keep things interesting.<\/p>\n<p>Stirring some into their feeder works well for ease.<\/p>\n<p>But for something fun, I&#8217;ll hide buckwheat seeds around their run.<\/p>\n<p>Watching the chickens scratch and peck for the treats keeps them active.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes I&#8217;ll also put seeds in a suet feeder or scatter them in a digging box.<\/p>\n<p>The hens have to work a bit to get the buckwheat from these dispensers.<\/p>\n<p>It satisfies their foraging instinct and stimulates natural behaviors.<\/p>\n<p>I also give buckwheat as boredom busters on rainy days stuck inside.<\/p>\n<p>Stirring a handful into a tub of pine shavings gives them something to do.<\/p>\n<p>Switching up how it&#8217;s served keeps the chickens interested and motivated.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sprouting_Buckwheat_for_Chickens\"><\/span>Sprouting Buckwheat for Chickens<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Besides serving buckwheat seeds, I also sprout some for the chickens&#8217; vegetables.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s easy to sprout buckwheat by just soaking the seeds overnight.<\/p>\n<p>Drain off any excess water in the morning.<\/p>\n<p>Then rinse twice a day until little sprout tails appear after a few days.<\/p>\n<p>The chickens love munching down the entire sprouted seed, tails and all.<\/p>\n<p>Sprouting makes the seeds more nutritious and easier to digest.<\/p>\n<p>It also gives my chickens some leafy greens along with their standard feed.<\/p>\n<p>I like to sprout buckwheat once a week to give them a veggie boost.<\/p>\n<p>Just a cup or two provides fresh sprouts for all the flock to share.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s simple, frugal and nutritional!<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Feeding_Buckwheat_to_Baby_Chicks\"><\/span>Feeding Buckwheat to Baby Chicks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>I also use buckwheat when I have new baby chicks in the brooder.<\/p>\n<p>Medicating baby chicks for coccidia can lead to loose poop.<\/p>\n<p>A pinch of buckwheat in their feed helps bulk things up.<\/p>\n<p>The triangle shape also encourages the chicks to peck and forage.<\/p>\n<p>They learn important skills for finding food young.<\/p>\n<p>I continue giving a bit of buckwheat as I transition chicks outside.<\/p>\n<p>It provides some variety along with their starter feed.<\/p>\n<p>The digestible protein ensures proper growth and feathering.<\/p>\n<p>Soon they&#8217;ll be ready to join the adult flock and share the buckwheat treats!<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_Types_of_Poultry_That_Enjoy_Buckwheat\"><\/span>Other Types of Poultry That Enjoy Buckwheat<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>All my poultry enjoy buckwheat, not just the chickens!<\/p>\n<p>My ducks devour it and funnily nibble it seed by seed.<\/p>\n<p>The turkeys will come sprinting for their share.<\/p>\n<p>And my geese honk excitedly seeing me with the bag.<\/p>\n<p>It helps round out nutritional gaps for waterfowl.<\/p>\n<p>The guineas are very particular but enjoy it too.<\/p>\n<p>Even the game birds like pheasant and quail relish buckwheat.<\/p>\n<p>It seems all species recognize those tasty triangular seeds!<\/p>\n<p>So if you have a mixed flock like me, buckwheat makes a great treat for all.<\/p>\n<p>Just adjust serving sizes based on the type of bird.<\/p>\n<p>But expect happy honks, gobbles and cackles at treat time!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I still remember the day I first got my little flock of chickens. I was so excited to have a fresh supply of eggs, but had no idea how much work it would be to keep the feathered ladies happy and healthy. After just a few days, I realized I needed to learn a lot [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2813,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[118],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2811"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2811"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2811\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2816,"href":"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2811\/revisions\/2816"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2813"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2811"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2811"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2811"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}