Feeding fats and meats to chickens

[jujubear]

When I butcher our rabbits our chickens come running and want a piece of the action.
I have been throwing them pieces of fat, but now I have read that you shouldn't feed them fat or meat.

Can someone tell me why they shouldn't consume fat or meat?

Julie

 

[BrattishTaz]

Meat can be a good source of protein for them. Fat is probably not so good. I personally would cook the meat first just because my profession makes me paranoid about bacteria/disease.

 

[tammyd57]

From what I understand, a little fat given to the chickens throughout winter can help them withstand very cold weather better.
It doesn't get cold enough here to warrant feeding fats or suet, but I do give small amounts of scratch grains with corn during winter. I feed them any leftover meats regularly (

my dog and cat turn up their noses at leftovers), it's great protein and really makes their feathers shine.

 

[TigerLilly]

I feed my chickens all my leftovers, but I eat a decently healthy diet--afterall, what I feed my chickens is going right back into me.

 

[moetrout]

I feed my chickens meat scraps all quite often. As stated meat is a good source of protien for the birds. Fat in small amounts seems ok to me. In winter I will tend to give them a little more than I would in the summer. I have a pretty healthy flock that has been laying consistently even through winter months and with no supplemental lighting.

 

[Msbear]

Chickens are scavengers.... they eat and process very welll WHATEVER you feed them.

I feed mine all my leftovers. Their favorite is chicken

I keep rosecomb bantams and cochin bantams both of which need the higher protein levels for feather growth. I would think that, as long as your not butchering rabbits everyday and this isn't their only source of nutrition, there is no problem getting the fats. Their bodies will metabolize it and use it... like chickens have been doing for eons

 

[wegotchickens]

I raise and show d'Uccles. I feed mine a LOT of fatty scraps, as well as some meat leftovers, along with any fruit and veggies leftovers (except citrus).

I pour grease left from cooking over dry oatmeal and give that as a treat. My birds have nice glossy feathers, and like Msbear, my birds need the extra protein for all the extra feathers. I think the birds self-regulate pretty well, too. Some days they fight over meat scraps, other times they show more interest in the other leftovers and ignore the meat (the cats love days like that).

Funniest thing I ever saw was when I gave the cats leftover turkey, and the chickens came and stole the turkey scraps. Jezebel looked up at me in horror, "Mom! The food is eating our FOOD!"

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

My mini raptors LOVE meat scraps and fat! I give them the leftovers, including meat and any trimmings off the meat I process from the deer I butcher. Everyone has a different opinion about feeding meat but my girls look really good. Shiny, glossy feathers and nice large brown eggs. I gave them the fat off meat over the winter to help them with the cold. Right now they are enjoying the fat and bones from our chops we had last night. Sounds of happiness from the coop!!!

 

[Arielle]

My 9 year old son boiled up a piece of salmon for dinner last night. THe leftovers I fed to the 5 week old chicks. THe only feed I can purchase does not contain meat.

Meat is a complete protein, that is, it contains every amino acid required for growth and maintenance; plant proteins are not complete; each plant has a lot of some and too few of others; the solution is to feed a variety of plants and seeds and if you can some meat to ensure the chickens receive all the amino acids needed for good growth.

Growing birds have high demands for quality protein as does the high egg production hen and growing broiler. Adult, pet birds require a bit less protein, as a % of their diet. But if you have leftovers headed to the trash, definitely consider feeding the scraps to the chickens!

I my mother could only see how my college education has paid off! Thanks , mom.

 

[columbiacritter]

I had a friend who gave me three meat rabbit carcasses that had gotten bad freezer burn. I cooked them up and threw an entire carcass into the LF run, the bantams got chopped up chunks. By evening there was just scattered bones left. That was some fat happy hens.