You may be wrong if you think that chickens cannot eat peanuts. Almost all backyard chicken keepers claim that their chickens love nuts! In fact, they will enjoy peanuts very much.

Can Chickens Eat Peanut Shells Or Hulls?​

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Yes, they can eat peanut shells. Peanut shells may be removed and thrown away by humans, but they are downright safe for your chickens to eat.

While some believe chickens don't need peanut shells, these parts of the nut can also be pretty nutritious for your poultry. Peanut shells contain protein, fiber, and cellulose, all of which are helpful to your birds.

Here are two ways you can feed your birds peanut shells:​

  • You can feed them raw or roasted peanut shells.
  • The shells can be crushed and added to their feed.

So Can You Feed Peanuts To Your Chickens?​

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Certainly, you can feed peanuts to your chickens. In general, these nuts offer a lot of benefits for chickens.
A lot of protein and amino acids are in peanuts that will sustain the energy and strength of your poultry. But peanuts should also be fed in moderation, as with other chicken treats.

Are Raw Peanuts Safe For Chickens?​

Make sure you don't feed raw peanuts to your chickens. Raw peanuts contain an enzyme called peanut lectin, which can be harmful to your poultry. The raw peanut also contains a deadly enzyme called trypsin that kills smaller animals and fowls.

Research has not provided much evidence that peanuts' green skin contains a toxic glycoalkaloid called solanine. Solanine is also fatal for birds. Therefore, it is better to take precautions for the chickens' wellbeing rather than regretting it later.

Are Roasted Peanuts Safe For Your Chickens?​

It's safe to feed your chickens roasted peanuts. It would still be a good idea if you roasted peanuts for your chickens with caution.

Make sure not to roast peanuts in oil or butter for your chickens. Serve the chickens the peanuts after they have cooled well.

It is also a good idea to serve the peanuts unsalted since salt can harm chickens.

Are Boiled Peanuts Safe For Your Chickens?​

You can boil your peanuts and feed them to your chickens if you didn't add any salt or oil or butter to them. Boiled peanuts contain four times more antioxidants than raw peanuts.

Are Oily Peanuts Safe For Your Chickens?​

Many people enjoy eating peanuts cooked in oil. However, this is not good for your chickens. Keep in mind that chickens have a hard time digesting greasy and oily food.

Can You Feed Your Chickens Peanut Butter?​

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You can give your chickens peanut butter as a treat. Some peanut butter brands contain 25 percent protein. Egg-laying chickens need at least 16 percent protein.

In addition, peanuts are one of its main ingredients, so it contains many nutrients beneficial for poultry. On the other hand, peanut butter is high in fat.

As such, chickens can eat peanut butter as a rare treat. Other than that, when you feed it in small amounts, it's not harmful to your chickens. The only problem is that it's sticky.

Peanut butter can be given to chickens in many ways, including mixed with their grains and seeds. Alternatively, you can spread peanut butter on a slice of bread or any vegetable and fruit that chickens can eat.

Can You Feed Salted Peanuts To Your Chickens?​

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Not at all. You need to be aware of this precaution as a chicken breeder. Before you feed your chickens peanuts, make sure there are no salt or other flavorings added to them.

All of us know that flavorings are bad for poultry. Even more so when peanuts are seasoned with salt and other ingredients. So you can feed your chickens peanuts as soon as they emerge from the hulls.

How Often Should You Feed Your Chickens Peanuts?​

Peanuts should not be fed too often as chicken treats beyond the standard feed. Despite the fact that peanuts are healthy, these nuts are still high in fats and calories.

Peanut Nutritional Value For Your Chickens​

You must first determine the nutritional value of peanuts in order to include them in the list of healthy treats for your chickens.

The B-complex series in these healthy nuts is beneficial to your chickens. Peanuts contain thiamin that controls chicken appetites. Thiamin deficiency can lead to malnutrition in your fowls, which can sometimes cause them to die.

There is also a possibility of Curly-toe Paralysis due to a lack of riboflavin in peanuts. Furthermore, this mineral from peanuts contributes to healthy egg production.

Peanuts contain niacin as well as pantothenic acid. The anti-inflammatory properties of niacin protect chickens from inflammatory diseases like Mouth Cavity Inflammation. Chickens' skin health is maintained by pantothenic acid, which is responsible for preventing lesions and dermatitis.

Furthermore, peanuts are a good source of calcium and phosphorus that strengthen birds' bones and improve eggshell quality and hatchability. Zinc in peanuts prevents your chickens from contracting Perosis. Zinc is also required for sustaining chicken feather health and bone development.

Peanuts also provide strength to your poultry's digestive system, immune system, and respiratory system. During the winter months when chickens molt, these benefits are most beneficial.

As well as magnesium, peanuts contain antioxidants including Phytic acid, Phytosterol, and Resveratrol. These antioxidants improve their reproductive capabilities and support their overall health.

Other Vitamins & Minerals contained in Peanuts are:​

  • Protein
  • Fiber
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin K
  • Manganese
  • Iron
  • Potassium
  • Magnesium
  • Phosphorus
  • Zinc
  • Folate

Peanut Consumption Risks In Chickens:​

It is assumed that if it is healthy for humans, why would it be harmful to animals? If you feed your chickens peanuts in moderation, they will be safe. However, problems arise when they consume too much.

Considering that poultry need fat in their diet, consuming too much of it can be a disaster. Consuming too much fat can result in obesity in chickens. It is common for obese chickens to suffer from a variety of health issues.

Additionally, obesity can lead to Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome in chickens. In this syndrome, fat accumulates around the liver, making it vulnerable to bleeding. Many chickens die as a result of the bleeding liver.

For this reason, you should also feed them peanuts in moderation, like other chicken treats. You can provide your chickens with peanuts in a balanced diet and they will have a long, healthy life.

Summary​

Yes, but only if you offer them a few. Peanuts will make your feathered pets happy like a dream every now and then.
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