Dandelion Flowersi

[PoultryGirly]

Is it okay for chickens and ducks to eat dandelion flowers? The yellow part? What are some plants and veggies and fruits that they can't eat?

 

[americanvalkyrie]

Is it okay for chickens and ducks to eat dandelion flowers? The yellow part? What are some plants and veggies and fruits that they can't eat?

Dandelions are great for them. Today I pulled a huge one from my garden and threw it to them. They were thrilled. (BTW, dandelion greens are great for you, too.)

Awhile back, I posted a question titled, "What? Chickens can't eat clover?" in response to a magazine article I read. The responses I got are very enlightening about what a chicken just will not eat if it's poisonous. They're simpler animals, but have more common sense than a lot of mammals I know. If you click on my profile, you can find the thread.

As far as vegetables from your kitchen, I know they cannot have avocados or raw potatoes. Cooked potatoes are fine. Also, certain foods like scratch grains are tasty for chickens, but have no nutritional value. It won't hurt them, but like candy for kids, they won't get the nutrition they need for stuff like growing or producing eggs.

 

[PoultryGirly]

Thanks for the info.

 

[KimKimWilliamso]

Yes, dandelion leaves have wonderful health benefits for chickens, people, parrots etc. Other things are kale and chard, excellent greens for birds. We also put cinnamon in with our mashes for our parrots (and will do for the chickens) as it has wonderful health benefits.

 

[PoultryGirly]

Thanks

 

[americanvalkyrie]

Yes, dandelion leaves have wonderful health benefits for chickens, people, parrots etc. Other things are kale and chard, excellent greens for birds. We also put cinnamon in with our mashes for our parrots (and will do for the chickens) as it has wonderful health benefits.

I just happen to be growing kale just for my chickens. And chard for my family and my chickens. I have it in bucket planters, up high so the chickens don't help themselves before I want them to.

 

[Mugs]

I just happen to be growing kale just for my chickens. And chard for my family and my chickens. I have it in bucket planters, up high so the chickens don't help themselves before I want them to.

This is good to know. I have some kale that actually made it through the winter here in Wisconsin due to a mild winter. I've harvested what I want and some is going to seed so I'll give it to the girls.

 

[NorthernMama]

Good to know We get plenty of them growing around here come summer time.