Feeding bread to chickens

[Deanw]

I heard somewhere that bread isn't really good for ducks, I'm not sure why. If that is the case is bread bad for chickens too?

 

[cadman68]

If it is i'm in trouble.....lol, I don't think it is if it is given in moderation. I don't think it would be a good idea to feed a few chickens a loaf, but a little here and there and i think you'll be fine. The ducks around the city lake here get plenty of bread and i don't think it has hurt any of them, but i may be wrong see if anyone else has heard of this.

 

[sweetmama65000]

i'm certainly no expert, but i give my birds a little bread every now and again as a change of pace. i like to give them a little "smorgasbord" at feeding time. they like cat food, too. hope that isn't wrong!

 

[BeckyLa]

I'm not sure, but I think the ducks and bread problem arises because people will save their old mouldy bread to feed the ducks at a pond. I know of one town that lost an entire flock to mouldy bread. But as long as it isn't mouldy, it shouldn't hurt ducks or chickens if it's not too much at one time.

 

[V Chic Chick]

The main problem (apart from mould) is that ducks will eat so much bread (which has a rediculous amount of sodium in it) that they don't get enough nutrition from other sources, leading to malnutrition and therefore weak / dead in shell ducks.

 

[merryreader]

I just made 3 loaves of bread for my chickens and gave them 1/2 a loaf. I have 12 hens and a rooster. I usually give them store bought bread, but decided to make a grainey bread for them, less salt. Actually it was a rye and wheat quick loaf. I just threw it together and they loved it. So did the dogs. Merry

 

[cookinmom]

What a nice mom, to bake bread for the critters!

 

[papaclark]

I I have 4 "suet cake" hangers in my coop for 8 hens. I put a slice or two of bread in each one every couple of days. They love it. I started with one, but they fought over it so now four. Never moldy bread. I don't give them anything I wouldn't eat.

 

[yyz0yyz0]

I think of it like Junk food for people, tastes great less filling! LOL!

It's kind of empty calories for them as long as it's not their sole food source or too much it's fine. Just my opinion.......

 

[papaclark]

Strictly as a treat. Nothing they can't consume in 20 minutes. Leaf spinach, lettuce, anything I give them , (besides keeping their feeder full) 20 minutes later I retrieve any unfinished "Treats". Eggplant, sliced apples, small chunks of watermelon, 20 minutes is all they get.