fish

[segeine]

If the guys ever bring home any fish from their ice fishing excursions (I'm not holding my breath...) is it OK to give the flock the stuff left over from cleaning the fish? (I'm talking about the guts, heads, bones, etc) I don't want to hurt the chickens, but I'd like to use the fish "stuff" if it's possible - no waste!

 

[RonP]

Do a search on feeding raw fish.

There are some cautions, especially with fresh water fish, that you should be aware of.

 

[Den in Penn]

Yes, you can give them the cleanings. They will eat what they want of it.

 

[coonhoundmama87]

Never had any problems doing it. My husband has brought home whole carp, slit the belly and let them go to town on it.

 

[RonP]

Quick search Quote:

"Fresh-water fish can contain bacteria and parasites that are more prolific or possibly dangerous than salt-water fish. Species such as salmon that spend a large portion of their lives in the ocean are generally considered safe, as well as its permanent denizens, but it is recommended that people not eat fresh-water fish raw due to the increased potential for health risks, some of which can be extremely dangerous."

That said, there are many birds that live exclusively on a diet of fish, both fresh and saltwater.

 

[segeine]

Thanks, especially to RonP, for the information!

 

[Tiller]

I've never had any problems as a result of feeding fish trimmings and cleanings to the chickens, had done it for years. Just practice a bit of common sense when it comes to it, if the innards looked sicly don't feed them to the chickens and compost or trash it, freshwater fish can carry some parasites and bacterial infections.