Can Chickens Eat Cashews?

In moderation — Unsalted, chopped, occasional

Chickens can eat unsalted cashews in small chopped amounts — a rich occasional treat, nothing more.

The why

Store cashews are always pre-steamed (raw cashew shells contain urushiol, but that's handled before sale), so the kernel is safe. It's simply a fatty, salty-by-default snack that needs the unsalted version and a light hand.

How to feed it

Chop plain unsalted cashews and scatter a small amount.

Worth knowing

Unsalted only, small portions, skip flavored mixes entirely.

The 90/10 rule: whatever the treat, a laying flock's diet should stay about 90% balanced feed. Treats — even the healthy ones — are the garnish, not the meal. Wondering what your flock really costs to feed? Try our free egg cost calculator.

📄 Free printable: The Chicken Never List

The 15 foods that can hurt your flock, on one page — print it, tape it inside the feed-bin lid.

Keep your whole flock on track

Homestead Paradise tracks your birds, eggs, feed costs, and health records in one place — and Harold, your homestead advisor, reads your records and tells you what he'd do next. Snap a photo of a mystery plant or bug with Harold's Eyes before it ends up in the run.

Start your free 14-day trial