Cowpeas

[comp6512]

In Florida I can grow cowpeas as a cover crop in summer. Cowpeas, or what's called "black-eyed peas", when dried, which is the only way I know them, are like small beans. I made soup from them before.

So, the million dollar question - can I feed chickens cowpeas - boiled or raw when immature? Would it give them gas? Any experience?

 

[Imp]

I believe common thought is that beans needed to be cooked before serving to chickens. There is something in them that makes them less than desirable raw.

Imp

 

[PhilErvin]

My wife always makes a mess of cow peas for New Years day dinner. Yesterday I took the leftovers from the fridge and gave them to my girls, they gobbled them up and all are well today. I haven't noticed any ill effects. It had hog jowls in it and they ate that up too.

 

[Plain Old Dee]

I can't speak for anyone else, but our chickens loved them. We didn't feed a large quantity of them at any one time, and in all honesty, they were the leftovers from dinner. (yeah, we grew pea hay and always left a plot for ourselves). I wouldn't feed them dry - it might cause an impaction problem. If you don't want to cook some for yourselves, you might try soaking them overnight.

 

[comp6512]

All right,

So what I understand, dry peas or beans, soaked and then cooked are OK for chickens. Sorry for being so dense, just wanted to be crystal clear on the subject. We are talking about CHICKENS here!

 

[dovecanyon]

Yes, they are ok if cooked. Just not raw!

 

[digitS']

Poultry Husbandry, Possible Alternate Feeds for Poultry

"Legume plants and seeds (grains) are higher in protein than other plants. Many grain legumes contain antinutrients such as trypsin inhibitors, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and antivitamins that can be removed by heating or processing. Over-heating also lowers the nutritional value.

cow peas; Vinga unguicalata Maximum Recommended 10%"

Canadian Poultry Consultants Ltd. veterinary practice

Hope that helps,

Steve