Can chickens eat a whole fish?

[cluckmecoop7]

Hey everyone!

I was just wondering, could I bring home a fish (from ice fishing this winter) and give it to my chickens whole - just for protein? I mean, does it need to be cooked/gutted, etc?
Thanks much!
- Clucky

P.S. Does it need to be a certain breed (kind) of fish?

 

[Eggscaping]

How about mouse and squirrel?

Better than Moose and Squirrel!

 

[RoosterML]

So its OK to give them whole fish, Correct?

I’m guessing it’s ok. BUT personally I would cook it first. I think they would prefer it sliced thin in a seaweed wrap with rice and Wasabi sauce

 

[21hens-incharge]

Mine like theirs cleaned, skinned and cooked. I tried to give a whole fish and that was rejected by everyone.

Picky buggers.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Better than Moose and Squirrel!

Rocky and Bullwinkle?

Pretty sure mine would eat moose too.
I have given them bits of venison to their delight.

 

[aart]

Rocky and Bullwinkle?

Ha!! Yes!....missed that reference, tho something niggled.

 

[RoosterML]

@RoosterML do your chicken prefer to use chopstix or forks? (Stifles giggles)

But, my precursor question is how'd you get them to sit still long enough to learn to use them?

One can never touch sushi with a fork.

 

[RUNuts]

After crawfish and shrimp boils, I put the heads and shells in the run. The chickens eat all of it. After the claws dry out, stomp or crack them into small pieces and be careful not to crush a chicken as they grab the small bits. Impatient girls!

The red crawfish shells turn the yolks deep orange for a bit. Really pretty raw eggs.

I've tossed extra bait and they eat it. Whole minnows or mullet. They do like them and doesn't last long. Along with carcasses after cleaning and bones after cooking.

 

[21hens-incharge]

It is Ok to give whole raw. They just might refuse it.
Mine continued refusal even after I made cuts through the skin.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Ok, thanks! I'm gonna try it.