Are Uncooked Lentils Really Dangerous for Chickens?

[Awestruck]

So, my question is this, can I just cook the lentils until tender in the slow cooker, or do I also have to boil them first? And yes, I have the same questions because I have noticed that some chicken feed does contain lentils that are raw. This is a good topic to discuss.

 

[nuthatched]

So, my question is this, can I just cook the lentils until tender in the slow cooker, or do I also have to boil them first? And yes, I have the same questions because I have noticed that some chicken feed does contain lentils that are raw. This is a good topic to discuss.

Did you read storm crows post? Excellent info

 

[Magnumchicken]

Chickens would need to eat about 1000 lbs per day to get enough hemoaglutinin to be toxic. So unless your chickens are eating that much it's fine.
Absolute nonsense.

 

[EddieSalita]

I have a few pigeon peas in my free range forest. The king parrots love em. The chickens especially love them when they are green and unripe. They can always be found under it when the king parrots are having a feed, picking up what they drop.

Pigeon pea is a great run plant. Chooks will readily eat the leaves also.

 

[Bantyseggstastebetter]

Cool. What’s the point if everyone is just going to go against all the articles you can read that you shouldn’t be giving them RAW or dried lentils or beans?

But do what you will

With ai learning from us and us learning from ai...i guess im looking for personal human exsperience

 

[Bantyseggstastebetter]

With ai learning from us and us learning from ai...i guess im looking for personal human exsperience

I've been feeding dry raw lentils to my flock of 150+ New Hampshire Red chickens for around 2 years. about 1/4 - 1/3 of their feed is lentils. And I have not seen any ill effects on the birds health or egg production. Fertility and health of their offspring is also apparently unaffected.


I've heard they contain some kind of harmful compound when raw, but there have been no short term ill effects on my birds. If all my birds suddenly die tomorrow I may have to rethink possible long term issues.


I have also noticed they go through stages where the birds will prefer the lentils and eat them even before the layer pellets. And then other times when they eat all the layer pellets first and then pick at the lentils.


In my experience chickens mostly avoid the things that they shouldn't eat. They are scavengers who know how to pick and choose.


I'd be curious to know what "they" say will happen to a chicken who eats too many uncooked lentils?... Has anyone heard what the actual issue could be? Everything I've seen just says they're toxic, but how or why is vague. Would also love to hear firsthand if anyone has experienced a problem with feeding dry lentils.

Mine rarely touch chickn feed no matter what i get. Ive been giving them millet..sourghum..other stuff and they do the same thing..go thru fazes what they leave behind for the chipmonks.