Many people love eating fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, etc. Fermented foods have many benefits for us such as, increasing gut health microbiome, enhance our immune and digestive system. But can chickens eat kimchi and are there any benefits to feeding chickens fermented foods?
Can Chickens Eat Kimchi?
It is safe to feed kimchi to your chickens, and it is not toxic. Fermented foods have many health benefits for your flock. Feeding kimchi to your chickens can result in healthier hens with healthier eggs. That said, kimchi should be fed in moderation.
If you’ve considered adding kimchi or other fermented foods to your chickens’ diets, you’re in the right place. We’re going to take an in-depth look at what kimchi is and how to add it to your chickens’ diet.
Another fermented dish to add to your chickens’ diet is sauerkraut. Chickens not only love it, but sauerkraut is safe for chickens to consume.
What Is Kimchi?
Kimchi is a staple Korean side dish that consists of salted and fermented vegetables, such as napa cabbage, and radish. Depending on how it is prepared, it has many different flavors from spicy, garlicky, and sour.
Is Kimchi Good for Chickens?
Kimchi is not toxic to chickens. That said, depending on how it’s prepared, it may contain ingredients such as salt and other spices that can be harmful to your flock.
Like us, too much salt in a chicken’s diet can lead to illness and fatality. Diets that are high in salt have an adverse effect on younger chickens than older birds. According to Poultry DVM, the recommended salt levels in poultry feed should be 0.2%.
Kimchi Nutritional Information
The nutritional value will vary depending on how kimchi is prepared. However, 100 grams of cabbage kimchi contains the following nutrients.
| Nutrient | Quantity |
| Sodium | 498 grams |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.6 grams |
| Protein | 1.1 grams |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.213 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.010 mg |
| Choline | 15.5 mg |
| Vitamin K | 43.6 mcg |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.11 mg |
| Vitamin A | 93.00 IU |
| Niacin | 1.100 mcg |
| Sugar | 1.1 grams |
| Potassium | 151 mcg |
| Iron | 2.50 mg |
| Phosphorous, P | 24.00 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.22 mg |
| Water | 94.30 grams |
(source)
Will Chickens Eat Kimchi?
Most chickens will eat anything you put in front of them. That said, don’t be surprised if not all your flock loves the taste of kimchi. When it comes to eating foods, chickens are like us.
Similar to how some people have food preferences, so do hens. Generally chickens are not picky eaters and will eat anything. It’s not unusual for one or more birds in the flock to dislike certain foods.
One hen may enjoy eating tomato scraps, but her flock sister or brother won’t touch them.
It doesn’t mean they won’t eventually like eat kimchi. The bird may need time to get accustomed to the odor, taste, etc.
Feeding Chickens Fermented Food
As mentioned above, many people are opting to feed their chickens’ fermented feed because it has many benefits for them. That said, if you’ve never had chickens or don’t know anything about fermented chicken feed, you may want to consult with your avian veterinarian.
Fermented vegetables such as kimchi not only has several benefits for humans, but it can aid in your birds’ health as well.
That said, you shouldn’t feed chickens kimchi everyday. If they enjoy eating it, you should consider making fermented feed. Fermented feed has the same benefits and will give you more bang for your buck.
Benefits of Kimchi for Chickens
Fermented foods such as kimchi will provide natural probiotics (healthy) organisms to your feathered friends. They will also eat less chicken feed, while still getting the proper nutrition and getting enough to eat.
Other benefits include better eggs, lower feed costs, and less poop. There’s absolutely no reason not to give your chickens kimchi or fermented feed. It’s one of the easiest ways to add probiotics to your chickens’ diet.
Many chicken keepers understand the benefits of feeding chickens fermented chicken feed, which is why some chicken owners in this thread discuss feeding chickens kimchi.
Can Chickens Eat Free Dried Kimchi?
Yes, chickens can eat freeze-dried kimchi. Always read the label before feeding your chickens any type of dried foods. Some dehydrated foods such as jerky contain high amounts of salt, which can be harmful to your birds.
If you want to feed your chickens kimchi, I recommend feeding them some Trader Joe’s Dried Kimchi. It is not only low on calories, but it only contains 210 mg of sodium, which is low for dehydrated foods.
Is Store Bought Kimchi Bad for Chickens?
Store bought kimchi can be safe for chickens, in small quantities. That said, whenever feeding your pets any type of store-bought foods, it’s important to read the labels.
Kimchi comes in many forms from and brands. Some of the most popular Kimchi brands sold in specialty stores are:
- Tobagi – low level of fermentation that provides a subtle sour taste
- 1000 Year Kimchi – Traditional Korean aesthetic that is a little on the sweet side.
- Seoul Kimchi – Fresh kimchi delivered to your door. Has a strong ginger taste with a sour aftertaste.
There are several other brands of kimchi you can share with your flock. That said, Kimchi is kind of expensive, so you may want not want to share it with your chickens.
Homemade Kimchi Recipe for Chickens
If you enjoy eating kimchi or want to prepare your own for your flock, it’s not difficult. There are many online recipes online you can use to make kimchi for your hens.
It’s not only a great way to share fermented foods with your chickens. Kimchi also has many benefits for you as well!
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 250 grams of wombok cabbage leaves
- 1/2 cup of chopped green shallots
- 1 piece of large clove garlic (minced)
- 10 grams of fresh ginger grated
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 3 tablespoons of water
- 1 piece of clove garlic (large finely minced)
Can Baby Chickens Eat Kimchi?
Kimchi is safe for chickens of all ages. That said, ensure the kimchi is not loaded with sodium. Feeding baby chicks too much sodium can have adverse effects on their overall health.
Final Word
Homemade kimchi will be best for your chickens, as you can tailor the spice and salt level. Feeding your chickens kimchi with too much salt can have negative effects.
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Sources
https://www.fooducate.com/product/Trader-Joe-s-Dried-Kimchi/A14DB5F8-7B03-11E2-9B11-1231381A4CEA
