Feeding fish to my hens?

[seahoob]

As a marine biologist I send a lot of time fishing and end up with a plethora of leftover fish and scrapes. I was wondering 1) if I can feed fish scrapes (fillets, skin, internal organs) to my hens and 2) cooked or uncooked? Any advice will be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[alicefelldown]

Hi!

You can feed fish both raw and cooked to your chickens. Scraps and fillets are ok - I'd be careful of the bones though. As a marine biologist, I assume you know which fish to avoid feeding to prevent mercury overdoses as well.

Be prepared to experience a fishy taste in your eggs though!

 

[Marshchick]

I've heard giving them cracked oyster and clam shells is a good source of calcium. Does anyone do that? We have an abundance of that around here!

 

[sgoff]

I know an old cajun lady that feeds hers crawfish heads and shells from crawfish boils. I thought they would be way to spicy, but she said, nope.. and the eggs will taste amazing... I haven't tried that yet.

 

[Merryment]

I feed sardines packed in water to the molting hens & to the developing pullets. Little velociraptors! They go nuts for it. Haven't tried it with layers yet. Make sure you adjust for protein with your layers - if they get too much, they will not lay as well.