Can Chickens Eat Sesame Seeds? Guide

By John Walker · Backyard chicken keeper in Dallas, Texas since 2017

Can chickens eat sesame seeds? Yes, chickens can eat sesame seeds in small amounts, and most birds enjoy them, because the seeds are small, easy to peck, and rich in oil. But sesame seeds are about half fat, which makes them one of the richest seeds you can offer, and the oil in them goes rancid quickly, so freshness and portion size matter more than with most treats. This guide explains the nutrition of sesame seeds, the difference between black and white seeds, how much to offer, and how to store them so they stay fresh.

Can chickens eat sesame seeds safely?

Can chickens eat sesame seeds safely? Yes, sesame seeds are safe for chickens in small amounts, and they are a good source of healthy fats, protein, and minerals such as calcium. Sesame seeds are about 50 percent fat and about 18 percent protein, which makes them a rich food, and a little goes a long way.

A teaspoon or two per bird, once or twice a week, is a sensible amount.

The fat in sesame seeds is the main reason for the limit. Fat gives energy, but too much fat makes birds overweight, and overweight hens lay fewer eggs and are more prone to health problems. A bird that eats a lot of sesame seeds eats less of its balanced feed, and that is where the harm comes from. Treats should make up no more than about a tenth of the daily diet, and sesame seeds are one of the richest treats there is.

Sesame seeds are also small enough to be eaten whole, which makes them easy to offer. Scatter them on the ground or in a shallow dish, and the birds will peck them up happily. There is no need to crush or soak them, and there is no choking risk for adult birds, because the seeds are tiny.

Sesame seed nutrition: fat, protein, and calcium

Sesame seeds are about half fat, and the fat is mostly unsaturated, which is the healthier kind of fat. They are also about 18 percent protein, which is useful during moult, when birds need extra protein to grow new feathers. They contain calcium, which supports eggshell strength, and small amounts of iron, zinc, and B vitamins.

The calcium in sesame seeds is worth a mention, because laying hens need a lot of calcium for strong eggshells. Sesame seeds are not a substitute for oyster shell or a proper layer feed, which are the main sources of calcium, but they add a little extra, and every bit helps. Do not rely on sesame seeds for calcium, but do not ignore the small contribution either.

The high fat content is a double-edged sword. Fat gives energy, which is useful in cold weather, when birds burn more energy to stay warm, but the same fat makes birds overweight in summer, when they are less active. Offer sesame seeds more freely in winter and more sparingly in summer, and watch the birds' weight.

Black vs white sesame seeds

Sesame seeds come in two main types: white, which are hulled, and black, which are unhulled. White sesame seeds have had the outer hull removed, which makes them milder in taste and easier to digest, while black sesame seeds keep the hull, which gives them more fibre, more calcium, and a stronger, nuttier flavour.

Both types are safe for chickens, and the difference is small. Black sesame seeds have a little more calcium and fibre because of the hull, while white sesame seeds are a little easier to digest. Most keepers feed whichever type they have in the kitchen, and the birds eat both happily.

Unhulled seeds of any kind need a little more grit to digest, because the hull is tough, so make sure the flock has access to grit when you offer unhulled seeds. Grit is the small stones that a chicken stores in its gizzard to grind feed, and without grit, tough seeds pass through undigested. A flock that free ranges will pick up grit naturally, but a flock in a run needs a dish of grit.

Rancidity: why sesame seeds go bad fast

The high oil content of sesame seeds means they go rancid quickly, and rancid seeds are not safe for chickens. Rancidity happens when the oil in the seed reacts with air, light, and heat, and it makes the seeds smell stale and taste bitter. Rancid fat can upset a bird's gut and, over time, can cause health problems.

Store sesame seeds in a cool, dark, sealed container, and use them within a few weeks of opening the packet. Do not store them in a warm shed or in a clear jar on a sunny shelf, because heat and light speed up rancidity. If the seeds smell stale, bitter, or like old oil, throw them away and do not feed them to the birds.

Buy sesame seeds in small amounts, so you use them up before they go bad, and check the smell before you offer them. A fresh sesame seed smells mild and nutty, while a rancid one smells sharp and stale. Your nose is the best test, and it is worth using every time.

Seed type	Fat	Notes for chickens
White sesame (hulled)	About 50 percent	Milder, easier to digest, most common
Black sesame (unhulled)	About 50 percent	More fibre and calcium, stronger flavour
Toasted sesame	About 50 percent	Fine in tiny amounts; toasting adds flavour
Sesame oil	Almost all fat	Avoid: too concentrated, no need for oil
Tahini (sesame paste)	High fat	Avoid: sticky, concentrated, and often salted
Rancid sesame seeds	Damaged fat	Do not feed: smell stale and can upset the gut

Raw vs toasted sesame seeds

Keepers disagree about whether sesame seeds should be raw or toasted, and the difference is small. Raw sesame seeds are the natural form, and they are what most keepers offer, because they are simple and the birds eat them readily. Raw seeds keep their full nutrition, and they are easy to scatter in the run.

Toasted sesame seeds have a stronger, nuttier flavour, and some birds prefer them, but toasting does not add nutrition, and it can reduce some of the vitamins. Toasted seeds are fine in tiny amounts, as long as they are plain and unsalted, but there is no reason to toast them specially for the birds.

The practical answer is that raw is best, because it is simplest and keeps the full nutrition, but toasted is fine if that is what you have. Do not offer sesame seeds that have been salted, sugared, or coated, and do not offer sesame snacks such as sesame bars or sesame candy, which are made for people and are not suitable for chickens.

How much sesame seed can chickens eat?

One to two teaspoons of sesame seeds per bird, once or twice a week, is a sensible amount. That is a small quantity, but sesame seeds are rich, and a little goes a long way. Scatter the seeds on the ground or in a shallow dish, so every bird gets a share.

And do not pile them in one place where the dominant birds will eat them all.

Do not offer sesame seeds every day. A daily handful of a seed that is half fat will add up, and the birds will become overweight over time. Offer them as a weekly treat, and use healthier, lower-fat treats, such as leafy greens, for the rest of the week.

Chicks should not eat sesame seeds. A chick's diet needs to be a proper chick starter feed, and any treat displaces that feed. Wait until birds are at least a few months old before offering sesame seeds, and even then keep the amount tiny. There is no benefit to giving a chick a rich seed, and there is a real risk of upsetting a young gut.

Sesame seeds are also a good way to add variety to the flock's diet without spending much, because a small bag lasts a long time when you offer only a teaspoon or two at a time. Keep the bag sealed and in a cool, dark cupboard, and check the smell before each use. A little care with storage keeps the seeds fresh, and fresh seeds are the only ones worth feeding.

Sources: poultry.extension.org.

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