Can chickens eat banana skins?

[ChickenFlamingo]

Occasionally I give my hens a slightly mushy banana which they adore.
Tonight I went into their run without peeling the banana first. As I tried to peel the banana for my hens they went full-on velociraptor pecking wildly at the skin.
I managed to beat them off and peeled the banana which they consumed in two seconds flat.
I disposed of the skin.

But could they actually eat it? Have I been thinking too human like by giving them peeled bananas? Or would the skins not be good for them?

 

[Ebony Rose]

Mine will race to be the first to get them.

 

[ChickenFlamingo]

Oh no! I've been throwing away the good part!
No wonder they went wild.

 

[Ebony Rose]

It contains high amounts of vitamin B6 and B12, as well as magnesium and potassium. It also contains some fiber and protein.

I usually serve bananas whole, but when serving just the peel, I like to pull the fibers (making long 'worms'), then toss those out to the girls one at a time and watch them play 'keep away'.

 

[MotherOfChuckens]

This is good to know. I'm a new chicken mum and I've been taking the ladies a chopped banana for breakfast when I go up on a morning but I've been composting the skin.

 

[uncertainty]

Currently deep into banana bread for the grandkids. Good to know this is a multi-purpose treat.

 

[Ebony Rose]

Banana skin is pretty much a guilt-free treat, it offers some important nutrients unlike other popular treats (like pasta or popcorn).