BEANS for chicken food

[Pupsnpullets]

I was thinking to increase the protein in my girls feed and hit on the idea of supplementing their feed with soaked and/or cooked beans. Pintos, black beans and the like. Perhaps even raw beans. Has anyone done this?

 

[CritterHill]

The treats chart says well cooked beans only never dry. With the emphasis on NEVER DRY.

I believe raw beans are somehow toxic to chickens. Hopefully someone with more of a clue can chime in and tell you why.

Edited to add: Treats chart can be found here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart

 

[Pupsnpullets]

Thanks, CritterHill. Do you know if there's any advantage to feeding cooked beans. Are they treats only or do they add a protein boost?

 

[CritterHill]

Quote:
Chicken nutrition is not my strong point. All I know is what is on the treats chart. Someone should come along shortly who has a clue, I imagine.

 

[fivebigreds]

They love cooked beans and i'm sure they can use the protein.

 

[cajunlizz]

you mean NOT even COOKED DRY BEANS ?

 

[Portia]

Its interesting how each flock, indeed each chicken has their own food preferences. I gave mine some cooked kidney beans the other day and they ran around with them for a little while, but in the end they were left to compost into the lawn...or maybe be scavanged by the squirrels.

 

[CritterHill]

Quote:
I believe the treats chart meant cooked dry beans were ok, but not uncooked. So I think they meant to say no raw beans?

 

[fullhouse]

I have feed them canned beans.

 

[can you hear me now?]

I read a post yesterday that said they compared 2 chicks after eeding one an egg and the other not. I think everyday it didn't specify. After a week they had before and after pictures and the egg eating chick was noticably bigger than the ono egg eating chick. Almost forgot to say the egg was cooked.