Can layers eat fruit?

[moonflowers]

My chicks are still only 5 weeks old but I thought I would ask this question so I am prepared. I read in one of my chicken books or online somewhere that you should not feed fruit to laying hens as it interrupts their eggs. From what I have read on this site it seems that many people feed their chickens fruit and vegetables. I just wanted clarification if this is okay to do. Also, at what age may I start giving them some fresh fruits and/or veggies? I so far have given them worms, grubs, boiled eggs, and oats for treats (I tried yogurt but they weren't interested). Also, I have two holly trees in my yard. Will they get horribly sick if (when) they eat the berries?
Thanks!

 

[aaronzclark]

I have fed my chickens table scraps, fruits, vegetables, there is nothing wrong with it but I would not feed them holly berries

 

[BuckeyeDave]

They were once "wild" animals.

 

[moonflowers]

Quote:
Good, I was hoping they could eat fruit, it is so fun to feed them treats and with my organic garden I often have some fruit/veggies that have insects that would be doubly a treat for them. I was not planning on "feeding them" the holly berries, but I have very little doubt they will eat the ones on the ground. I just wanted to make sure a few holly berries that they eat themselves wouldn't hurt them or if I need to block off that section of the yard (I have a small yard as I am in the city, so it would be difficult). Thanks for your advice and help!!

 

[chikenlady]

My chickens' favorite treats are bananas and grapes!! They disappear faster than I can toss them!

 

[PhlyinPheBee]

My ladies LOVE banana's & strawberry's!!!!! Also got a taste of watermelon and it is going to be a great summer treat!!!

 

[thesteven]

mine kill for watermelon

 

[Chicken Boo]

Mine get apples (I save the cores from lunch), grapes, too ripe bananas, watermelon, cucumbers, and any thing else that goes into a salad (except onion and garlic). I go to the quick sale rack at the grocery store for cheap bruised apples and pears and grapes (oh, they love grapes). It gives them something to do before I let them out for the afternoon. I am averaging 6+ eggs/day from my 9 hens (3 of them are over 4 years old).

 

[ChickensofBBN]

Can chickens eat pineapple, cantaloupe, and watermelon rhines? My wife and I cut up fresh fruit and have them left over and didn't know if we could feed it to the chickens. Thanks for any help.