Bread with mold on it?

[MIChickandGuinea]

Can my ladies snack on bread that has just started getting a little molded? I was going to throw it away (it’s homemade, 100% whole wheat bread with no preservatives so it molds pretty quickly)... but then thought it might be an OK chicken treat. But don’t want to make them sick ...

 

[21hens-incharge]

It is not a good idea.

They should only be given food that is in good condition. Feeding moldy things can cause problems for pretty much every critter.

 

[rita2paul]

mine gets whole grain and seed bread as a treat they it.

 

[lazy gardener]

I would not. If it only has a tiny bit of mold on an edge or two, and that part can be removed... that would be ok. But, if you would not eat it, if it smells moldy, it belongs in the trash.

 

[Folly's place]

I want my birds healthy, and their eggs safe to eat. I wouldn't feed anything moldy or spoiled, only good stuff.
Some molds are toxic when eaten.
Mary

 

[Alaskan]

Just to toss in a different opinion....

I do feed my chickens food that is slightly off or slightly moldy (yes, with the mold still on, not removed).

I have never had an even slight issue or reaction from my flock.

I should note however, that my flock is large, so no one chicken ever gets much of any treat tossed in their pen. So.... the dose is always low.

If you you have a 3 hen flock, and give them a loaf of moldy bread... yes... I could see that killing them. But then, a 3 hen flock also shouldn't be getting a full loaf of good bread. Just not a healthy diet.

 

[redranger209]

Once my chicks feed got moldy, and then I lost two of them to boculism. (Did I spell it right?)

 

[Folly's place]

Botulism; caused by a very nasty bacteria, which can be present in spoiled foods. It's not a mold, but spoiled stuff can have more than one yucky problem.
So sorry!
Mary

 

[dunnmom]

The types of mold that grow on bread are typically not harmful to most animals or even humans in small amounts. Problems can arise, though, if there is an allergy or intolerance, and a lot of folks would rather be safe than sorry. My girls can handle a slice or two of bread with a few little tiny spots of mold every now and then, but I wouldn't feed them something that looks like a science experiment.

My botany teacher in high school would have us bring moldy bread from home, because he said he'd eat it if no one else would. Lol! He even showed us the different molds and told us which were generally safe.

 

[MROO]

I was going to throw it away

If it's not good for human consumption, it's not good for your chickens!