Can chickens eat watermelon?

Yes – and they absolutely love it!

Watermelon is so much more than a tasty treat for chickens. It's also full of nutrients which can help your flock stay cool and hydrated during hot summer months.

But what about the rind? The seeds? Are baby chicks allowed to eat watermelon? Is it true that it can actually improve your chickens' health? And will chickens actually eat watermelon? Do they enjoy it?

If you've ever made the mistake of eating a piece of watermelon in front of your chickens, you'll know how quickly they come running.

Mine would rip it right out of my hands if they could – here's the evidence!

In this article, we’ll look at:

• what research studies say about watermelon’s benefits for chickens
• which parts are best to feed (and which to limit)
• how to serve it safely — including two easy to make treat recipes.

Let’s start with the nutritional benefits.

Is watermelon good for chickens?

Yes – and not only because they love the taste.

As more chicken keepers explore less chemically-based ways to boost flock health, watermelon along with many other natural foods has come under scientific scrutiny — and the results are promising.

Several studies which looked at its effects on chickens all found that watermelon is rich in nutrients which can support chickens' immune system, hydration, and overall health.

Here's what that research tells us.

Watermelon nutrition for chickens.

• Anti-oxidants: watermelon contains more antioxidants than any other fruit or vegetable. These help protect against cell damage and support long-term health.⁽¹⁾

• Lycopene: a powerful carotenoid which boosts the immune system.

• Vitamin 'C': chickens struggle to produce this during heat stress. Watermelons provide a natural source.

• Electrolytes: high levels of potassium and magnesium help maintain hydration and reduce the risk of heat exhaustion, making watermelon a natural source of electrolytes.

• Low in fat: it has no saturated or trans fats and whilst it contains natural sugar, the downsides are far outweighed by its benefits⁽¹⁾.

Does watermelon keep chickens hydrated?

Absolutely.

Watermelon is over 91% water⁽¹⁾, making it one of the best ways of keeping chickens hydrated, especially when they're at risk of heat exhaustion. 

🎥 Watch this quick video to see how much liquid is in a single piece — and how much chickens love it.

Keeping chickens cool in the summer.

Want more ways to protect your flock from a heatwave?

Check out my full summer chicken care guide.

When should you not feed watermelon to your chickens?

Although watermelon is very safe for chickens, it should – as with any treat – be fed in moderation.

Studies showed no harmful effects for chickens from eating watermelon itself^{(e.g. 2, 3, 4)}, but those who were fed too much commonly developed diarrhea, due to the fruit’s high water and sugar content⁽³⁾.

So as a rule of "thumb"...

• keep portions small – no more than 10% of your chickens' diet
• use it as a treat, not a main food
• always feed it fresh – never when it's mouldy or has started to spoil.

Can baby chickens eat watermelon?

Yes. In small amounts, watermelon is safe for baby chicks.

Studies found no negative effects when chicks up to six weeks were fed watermelon flesh and seeds. However, their digestive systems are still  developing and they're unlikely to eat the rind. 

As always, moderation is key:

• watermelon is a treat: it should never replace a balanced chick starter feed which supports rapid growth

• start small: offer a small piece of ripe flesh once they're eating well

• chick grit: must always be available as soon as chicks eat anything other than their own feed.

My own flock didn't try watermelon until they were 17 weeks old. Even then, they weren't sure if it was food, or a terrifying red alien!

They did get over their fear quickly, as you can see from this short video... 

Can chickens eat watermelon flesh?

Yes, and it seems to be their favourite part – for good reason.

Watermelon flesh is packed with the super-nutrients that support chicken health:

• Lycopene: a powerful anti-oxidant supporting healthy cells
• Beta-carotene: boosts immune health, and may depeen egg yolk colour
• Vitamin 'C': especially important during heat stress.

Ripe watermelon flesh – deep red rather than pale pink – contains higher levels of all these nutrients⁽¹⁾.

So always make sure your chickens get the most benefit by feeding watermelon when it's deep red and juicy.

Can chickens have watermelon seeds?

Yes – and mine always go for the seeds first, before starting on the flesh!

• Watermelon seeds are not only safe, but also extremely nutritionally rich. 

• Studies show that small amounts included in feed (no more than 10%) improve both growth and egg production^{(e.g. 3, 4)}. They're a good source of: 
• Protein: around 25%
• Calcium: supports strong bones and can improve egg production⁽³⁾
• Potassium: an electrolyte that helps with hydration.

Remember: moderation is the key.

Do watermelon seeds help de-worm chickens?

No.

There's no scientific evidence at all that watermelon seeds act as a natural de-wormer.

You may read some backyard chicken keepers saying their flocks stay worm-free because they regular eat watermelon. But it’s more likely to be due to other factors such as good hygiene, pasture rotation – or luck.

Watermelon seeds are nutritious, but they don’t contain any known anti-parasitic compounds.

If you're concerned about worms, use proven treatments (affiliate link) or natural alternatives backed by research.

Can chickens eat watermelon rind?

Yes – although they tend to leave it behind.

This is generally how my chickens leave the watermelon they've finished with... The rind (also called the skin) is too thick and hard for them to peck at, so it remains more or less untouched. The ants strip sugar from the remains of the flesh.

But one of the most interesting findings of the research into chickens and watermelon is that the rind is one of the most nutritious parts and is especially effective in the control of heat stress.

In particular, the rind contains a rich source of a substance called L-citrulline (L-cit) – more than the flesh or the seeds⁽²⁾.

L-cit is an amino acid which, when eaten by chicks and laying hens, was found to reduce their body temperature and so potentially improve their tolerance of heat^{(2, 5, 6)}.

It was also found to reduce harmful bacteria in the gut and increase both the digestive system's health and the ability of the chicken to properly digest its other food⁽⁶⁾.

So, rather than throwing that melon rind on the compost heap – or even in the bin – it makes both ecological and dietary sense to feed it to our flock.

It's not the chickens' first choice of a tasty treat, though. So how is the rind best fed to the flock?

Enter the special recipes!

How to feed watermelon to chickens.

Chickens are more than happy to eat watermelon as it comes – straight out of the skin. Just slice it so that everyone gets the chance to have some, or for a smaller flock halve the fruit and let them dig out their own!

But having read the section above, you now know that using the rind of the watermelon can help to keep chickens cool. It seems only right that we try to incorporate it into a couple of tasty recipes.

So if you'd like to prepare an extra-special recipe to cool the flock down, try one of these. In fact, make more and keep some for yourself! 

Soothing summertime salad recipe.

Take two of the most water-dense summer fruits (cucumber is technically a fruit, although most people think of it as a vegetable), mix with some nutrient-rich berries and a refreshing, cooling herb. 

What have you got?

A hydrating, cooling, summertime salad both you and your chickens will love!

Take...

• 1 cup watermelon rind, cut off the flesh and grated
• 2 cups well chilled watermelon cut into cubes
• 1 chilled cucumber (including the skin), diced
• 1 cup summer berries (blueberries, strawberries – whatever's available)
• ½ cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
• Toss all the ingredients together
• Serve in a bowl
• For an extra cooling treat, freeze for an hour just before serving.

Minty watermelon summertime slushie recipe.

There's evidence⁽¹⁾ that when they're juiced, fruits like watermelon provide even more nutrients, being easily digested.

Adding a little mint to the mix provides even more refreshment – it's been proven to be a cooling agent⁽⁷⁾. There's also evidence that honey, as well as having antioxidants which help prevent cell damage, has a cooling effect^{(8, 9)}.

Take...

• 4 cups of watermelon, including rind and seeds, cut into cubes
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves
• 1 tablespoon organic honey
• Six ice cubes
• Add to a blender and blitz till smooth
• Put into any freezable container
• Freeze for two hours, then feed to your flock.

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Frequently Asked Questions.

Try these articles for more chicken treat ideas.

Sources.

A lot of "facts" you'll find on the internet are often people's individual views, based on inaccurate information repeated from poor quality sources.

The information I provide in this article and others is based not just on my own experience, but on evidenced facts from scientific, peer-reviewed research and books from highly respected and experienced poultry keepers such as Gail Damerow.

Some of the trusted sources I have used in this article are these.

1. Nigala, J: Watermelon Nutrition: Benefits, Calories, Risks and More. Pub. Livestrong, 2021.

2. Linh, T. N et al: Dried Watermelon Rind Mash Increases Plasma L-Citrulline Level in Chicks. Pub. Journal of Poultry Science, 2018.

3. Undigweundeye Ukpanukpong, Dr. R: Effect of Watermelon Seed Powder on Growth Performance Parameters of Broiler Chickens. Pub. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 2018.

4. Ahmed, Dr. H. S. E: Evaluation of watermelon seed meal as a feed for poultry. Pub. as a PhD thesis, 2004.

5. Azad, M. A. et al: Metabolic characteristics and oxidative damage to skeletal muscle in broiler chickens exposed to chronic heat stress. Pub. Journal of Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, 2010.

6. Penaite, T. et al: Impact of Watermelon Rind and Sea Buckthorn Meal on Performance, Blood Parameters, and Gut Microbiota and Morphology of Laying Hens. Pub. Journal of Agriculture, 2022.

7. Ghosh, Anwesha: Why menthol chills your mouth when it's not actually cold. Pub. The Conversation, 2015.

8. Oke et al: Effect of different levels of honey on physiological, growth and carcass traits of broiler chickens during dry season. Pub. Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 2016.

9. Otu et al: Effect of honey-flavoured diets on the performance and relative organ weights of finisher broiler chickens. Pub. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production  2021.