feeding un-ripe apples and pears

[egg mama]

What about giving them apples that didn't get eaten? They are not "bad" but have softened (yellow delicious).

THanks.

 

[jenn-E]

I feed mine lettuce & strawberries that are past their prime (a little mushy), but not moldy. The lettuce in particular is a big hit. For whatever reason, mine were not very interested in stale bread, but they're still young. The ducks & fish at our nearby Botanic Gardens can't get enough of the bread. We're looking forward to using the chickens to help clean up any left-overs we may have around the house/yard.

 

[egg mama]

Thank you Jenn-e!
That is what they are...past their prime.

I may have a few strawberries making their way out to the coop too.

Do I need to offer grit if they have a large dirt run?

 

[psymbiosis]

Our chickens eat windfall apples all of the time. This year has been particularly bad for our trees and they have gotten bunches. They love them and I have never seen any negative effects.

 

[greathorse]

Mine eat windfall apples as well. They eat all they want, the only reason I would give it any thought is if I was trying to condition them for a show or if I was concerned that the lower protein in the diet would effect their laying. I would imagine if they ate a bunch of them it may cause them to lay a bit less.

I can vouch for it not hurting them in any way.

 

[jenn-E]

"windfall" I knew there was a better term to describe the fruit that falls off the trees.

Now my concern is that I think they are eating the plum pits. I did a quick search on here & it doesn't seem like that's a problem, but doesn't anyone have any thoughts? Will it get stuck in their crop/gizzard? or will it pass? They all seem to be healthy, but I have probably only given them 10-15 plums over several days for 14 chicks.

@egg mama I think they should be able to get plenty of grit (small stones) from a dirt run, especially if you're just feeding soft foods like fruit.

 

[Naughty]

I have a pear tree too - and just pluck a few and throw it in - they eat some of them - they also really love the bugs that the fruit brings in! So I get a two-fer there... I am going to get a cowbell to hang from a post in their coop - and start ringing it when I get them their treats - I want a sound that they will learn to run for. My rooster gets out some - so I am hoping that it will get him to come back in!

 

[littlethorn]

My chickens eat windfall apples all the time and nothing bad seems to happen here either. In fact, their vet even advised that they need the fruits and veggies.

My dogs are even worse and will just sit there eating apple after apple.

 

[Katercat]

My chickens eat windfall apples all the time and nothing bad seems to happen here either. In fact, their vet even advised that they need the fruits and veggies.

My dogs are even worse and will just sit there eating apple after apple.

 

[Katercat]

I am out here with the apple trees and this was a good question because my apples always have some kind of bugs in them and it’s best to take some down to make the apples grow better so that’s another reason to give them small apples so I’m glad it’s OK I’ll see if they will eat it