Species library · Mushrooms

Foraging Chicken of the Woods

Laetiporus sulphureus

Typically in season from May to October in the northern hemisphere. Found in forest.

Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus)

Photo: Björn Sothmann · CC BY-SA

When Chicken of the Woods is in season

Typical window in the northern hemisphere, peak May to October. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset, and your own timing depends on local weather, so check your town.

→ Everything in season to forage in July

Where it grows

Chicken of the Woods is usually found in forest.

Take Chicken of the Woods into the field

Open Chicken of the Woods in the Forage app for its full field guide entry with more photos, key features and toxic lookalikes to check against. Add it to your watchlist and the app pings you the moment it comes into season at your exact spot, worked out from live weather, elevation and billions of occurrence records.

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Chicken of the Woods: common questions

When is Chicken of the Woods in season?

Chicken of the Woods is generally in season from May to October in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather. Check the Season Finder for your own location.

Where does Chicken of the Woods grow?

Chicken of the Woods is usually found in forest.

Is Chicken of the Woods safe to forage?

Never eat any wild plant, berry, nut or mushroom unless you are completely certain of the identification. Check every find against a reliable field guide, and when in doubt, don't.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits