Avocado and oranges?

[kari_dawn]

Can I feed avocado and oranges to my chickens?

 

[rebbetzin]

Well, I am not an expert, I did "google" oranges and avocados as chicken feed, and this is what came up.

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Raising_Chickens/Feeding

And note it says at the bottom that Avocados are poison for birds.

 

[kari_dawn]

thanks for the link! I thought avocado may be poisonous, but my parents insist they are fine to give them. I haven't let them because the birds are mine, and I spend MY money, and MY emotional investment on them.

I also feared oranges may be dangerous to give too, but according to that link, they will eat the fruit...good to know...mine found an old orange in the yard the other day....they thought it was five star resaurant fair!

 

[LilyD]

I have given my chickens avacado and they love it no problems yet lol

 

[txchickie]

I've fed my chickens (and rabbit and dogs) slices of old/overripe avocado and never had an issue.

 

[DTchickens]

Avocado=Probably best not to feed. The fruit itself I haven't heard of being too large of an issue, but the pit and peel can cause cardiac arrest.

Oranges/Citrus. The citrus fruits contain a chemical called Limonene which is found to be toxic to pig and especially poultry, however it is lower amounts than it takes to be harmful. Another thing is the citrus is said to decrease calcium intake for both humans and poultry, which may cause weak egg shells. Though this is unlikely.

Other than the above, citrus is actually good for birds.

 

[SteveBaz]

Most chickens will turn there nose up at any type of citrus . Other fruits they will eat but expect runny and wet stools. And avacodo's are just not recommended.

 

[kari_dawn]

Most chickens will turn there nose up at any type of citrus . Other fruits they will eat but expect runny and wet stools. And avacodo's are just not recommended.

My chickens must be weird then...I freaked when I found they had gotten into an orange, but they loved it...I took it away from them just to be safe...

 

[wolftracks]

They say avacados are bad for any bird, but I'll tell you I spent years chasing birds away from my trees. My birds get them once in a while, but they are pitted and no skins. If you can get your dogs to eat them they are great for their coats. Even better than buy AvoDerm.

I have grapefruit, lemons and oranges and they love when an orange hits the ground and splits.

 

[Hwlchickmama]

Some one gave me a basket of fruit for Xmas... I don't eat oranges but guess who LOVED them... Guess I won't give it to them again but I do supplement w/ shell...