Can chickens have coconut?

[sevenfatcows]

Glad someone defended coconut. We feed it to our chickens also, and they love it. I have a fastener on the fence so that I can stick the half coconut in place. It does not last long, but certain times of the year we get quite a bit culled from our local fruit market so that they end up with a fair amount in their diet. I have not paid attention to how it affects laying, but my flock is pretty productive most of the time anyway.

 

[Cklass90]

So I made a batch of coconut rice and there's tons leftover can my chickens have it then? What about my 4 week old chicks? The rice is cooked obviously. I just cooked it in coconut milk instead of water...

 

[sevenfatcows]

I wouldn't give much to the chicks, unless mixed with egg or something to boost the protein and make it more nutritious in general. But I'd sure toss it to my grown birds and it would be gone fast.

 

[TheSwornFewCoop]

Hmmm...

I know this thread is pretty old and dead, but in case someone stumbles upon it (as i did) and is looking for accurate advice....

Yes! Chickens absolutely can have coconut! We feed fresh coconut meat from our own trees whenever we have the opportunity. When we have a large amount we will crack open a few daily and offer it on the "half shell" free choice--they get as much as they will eat, basically. It is in fact quite good for them, and I and other local farmers have noted (anecdotally) that it has a very positive effect on egg production. Fresh Coconut has a lot of high quality fat (something most poultry rations dont) as well as some carbs, a little protein, and important trace minerals. And, if you have access to coco trees, its free feed!

Cheers!

Thank you!

 

[RcoM]

I appreciated all the replies because this afternoon I decided to try coconut yoghurt, just a little mixed in with a feed for my chickens. I was trying to get them a probiotic Boost, and this one has it in it as the base. First of all, they loved it! Second of all they got their probiotics And I avoided any possible side-effects that may come with dairy – I hope