feeding deer innards?

[chica-z]

My husband, who is a hunter, asked if we could feed the chickens scraps left over after we cut up his deer, such as the stomach and guts. I assume it would be safe for them to pick the carcass clean as long as it is fresh?? I had no idea, so I thought I would post a question here. It seems like it would be a good source of protein now that the bugs are just about gone. Any thoughts?

Hope I don't gross anyone out too badly...

 

[amysue2012]

I've never really gave it much thought but when we butcher our rabbits the chickens always get a little treat. Toss them a heart or liver and they run around making all kinds of noise like they've hit the gold rush!

And gobble it right up!

 

[ScoobyRoo]

chica-z, you got me wondering too.?! We process A LOT of deer here (seems everyone comes to our house to do the deed) Maybe it's the beer in the frig. I usually have my DH put all the scraps (minus the big bones) in a plastic grocery sack (half full) then I freeze it. I give the treats to my dog all year long. She especially loves it on a hot summer day. But now that I have my chickens, I too, wonder what they can and can't have in the way of deer meat/inards. Anyone else out there know? Thanks!

 

[carolb5]

Yes, you can feed meat scraps to chickens. We have bear, lions and such in our area so we feed only an amount they can clean up in a short period of time. Very high protein. Many feed rations will list meat meal on their label. We have had no ill effects.

 

[antlers]

HOWEVER!!!

Many modern bullets are designed to expand GREATLY when they hit the deer and you can get lead in lots of areas of a deer. I would be hesitant to feed anything that has a hint of initial impact area and then even further out from that. Otherwise you may be feeding lead and you get the same issue as ducks eating lead shot. It wil kill the birds.

Is not worth the risk to me personally and I hunt a lot of deer.

 

[ScoobyRoo]

Antlers, thanks for the info. My DH and kids mainly bow hunt so I wont have to worry too much. However, they go for rifle season too. How far in the body does the lead travel (inches or beyond)? Or does that not matter? As some would say "lead is lead" it's all bad. I know it can kill ducks but I wonder how much they need to eat? I guess I could call fish & game since we have a lot of public areas around here for duck hunting. (ducks are one thing my DH husband doesn't hunt, we don't care for the meat! thank goodness!!)

 

[RockyToggRanch]

I posted earlier this week about a liver that was infested with what I now know was "liver flukes". I have only learned (in the past few days) that it can also effect sheep (fatally) and cattle. I have found no mention of the effects on chickens. Just FYI
Cindy

PS it totally grossed me out and I have been eating fresh venison all of my life. I still will, but with a much closer examination.

 

[DLS]

I really dont think that a bird could ever get enough lead off a dead deer to kill it Just don't give the area wher the round hit . I shoot he deer in the head or neck because i eat the meat . so I think my birds will start getting rib bones .

 

[RockyToggRanch]

Is it good to give them raw meat? I think, with mine anyway, I'll not teach them to eat flesh. Flash back to my childhood when a dog killed a chicken and a parent threw it into the run. The chickens devoured it like zombies (the chicken, not the dog). Not my idea of my peaceful, happy animal family.

We'll stick to veggies and breads and maybe the occasional leftover stew or chili with a BIT of meat in it. Nothing bloody.

 

[barred rock]

Antlers, thanks for the info. My DH and kids mainly bow hunt so I wont have to worry too much. However, they go for rifle season too. How far in the body does the lead travel (inches or beyond)? Or does that not matter? As some would say "lead is lead" it's all bad. I know it can kill ducks but I wonder how much they need to eat? I guess I could call fish & game since we have a lot of public areas around here for duck hunting. (ducks are one thing my DH husband doesn't hunt, we don't care for the meat! thank goodness!!

i am a diehard hunter and a bullet is nothing to play with depending on the gun it is a 1million to 1 chance that a bullet will stay in an animal and unless theres something to stop it it will go on for miles