Best Choline-Rich Foods for Chickens

Ranked by choline content among foods safe for chickens in the Creature Feast catalog.

Lentils per 100g cooked: 33mg choline Lentils are a strong choline source for chickens. Choline is essential for liver function, fat metabolism, and the formation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. In laying hens, choline deficiency leads to fatty liver syndrome, one of the leading metabolic causes of sudden death.

Peas per 100g: 29mg choline Peas provide moderate choline that supports liver health and lipid transport in laying hens. Adequate choline helps prevent the fat accumulation in the liver that leads to hemorrhagic syndrome, particularly in high-producing confined hens.

Broccoli per 100g raw: 19mg choline Broccoli delivers modest choline alongside its broader nutrient profile. The choline in broccoli supports the methyl group transfers involved in gene expression and cell membrane integrity that laying hens need for sustained reproductive performance.

Sunflower Seeds per 100g: 55mg choline Sunflower seeds contain choline as part of their phospholipid content. For backyard flocks, the combination of choline with healthy fats from sunflower seeds supports the liver's ability to package and export fats properly, reducing fatty liver risk.