Best Iron-Rich Foods for Chickens

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

Lentils per 100g cooked: 3.3mg iron Lentils are one of the best plant-based iron sources for chickens, providing non-heme iron that supports hemoglobin production and oxygen transport. For laying hens whose iron absorption is suppressed by high calcium intake, iron-rich treats like lentils help maintain vibrant comb and wattle color.

Spinach per 100g raw: 2.7mg iron Spinach delivers substantial iron per serving, and while its oxalates limit calcium absorption, iron absorption is affected to a lesser degree. For chickens with pale combs suggesting borderline iron status, spinach in the greens rotation provides a meaningful iron boost.

Peas per 100g: 1.5mg iron Peas provide moderate iron in a highly digestible form, and their Vitamin C content enhances non-heme iron absorption in the chicken's gut. This makes peas a particularly efficient iron delivery vehicle compared to grains.

Sunflower Seeds per 100g: 5.3mg iron Sunflower seeds contain meaningful iron alongside their fat and protein benefits. For confined flocks that cannot supplement iron through soil scratching and insect hunting, sunflower seeds provide a convenient iron source in the daily treat rotation.