My chickens love apples.. I give them whole. The only problem I get is just like people too much apple can give them runny poo.. So I limit them ..they also love watermelon. pumpkin, pears, and grapes.
Are apples okay for chickens?
- Thread starter hippiechicks
- Start date
I just told my daughter to not give them the core. Seems it does't matter anyway. Next time, I will just hang from a rope and let them have at it. Will be great entertainment for the kids to see. Thanks for the video!
Apple seeds contain trace amounts of arsinic. I have been giving my birds whole apples that are too old from my store. The apples keep them entertained for hours and I have had no problems even with the little ones. They eat them core, seeds and all.
I just read where chickens liked pumpkin. Can I give them 'carving pumpkins' as well as the cooking kind? My daughter roasts the seeds for our snacks so no worry there but don't know that is an issue either. Seedless grapes? My girls free range a couple of days a week and on weekends for a few hours at a time. Otherwise, they are confined to their run.
I give all of that to my birds. Pumpkin seeds are a natural dewormer. They will not eat the skin of the pumpkin though, only the seeds and meat. Grapes are a favorite, as are cucumbers.
The only thing I won't give my birds is citrus (they don't seem to like it anyway) because it can leach calcium, and peppers, onions, and garlic, because it can interfere with egg taste
Awesome! Thanks for the info!
Mine are also crazy about apples. We have two trees out near the coop and they manage to find the ones that have dropped off the tree when they are out and about. Never had a problem - I think they'd have to eat a bag full of apple seeds to get enough to cause them problems. They are healthy, active and their production is great. But that's just me - I figure in nature they don't have anyone coring apples for them or "pre-preparing" any other food they might forage, so I just let 'em go. They balance it all out with good layer rations, plenty of greens, bugs, and other scraps so it's not like the apples make up the majority of their diet. Enjoy your chickens no matter what you decide to do......
I set the whole pumpkin in the run. I usually poke one small hole in it an let them go to town. They eat seeds and all.
I just picked up 17 or 18 bushels of apples for hard and fresh cider production. With only 7 chickens, I won't be giving ALL the "squeezins" to the girls, but they'll surely get a hearty helping of ground apples.
I've heard the seeds are potentially problematic, but like others have said, never actually heard of a chicken dying or getting seriously ill from eating apples.
A little "intestinal discomfort", sure...but then again, after drinking a half gallon of fresh cider today, I can confirm this is not an issue exclusive to chickens!
I've heard the seeds are potentially problematic, but like others have said, never actually heard of a chicken dying or getting seriously ill from eating apples.
A little "intestinal discomfort", sure...but then again, after drinking a half gallon of fresh cider today, I can confirm this is not an issue exclusive to chickens!
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