How many apples/pears are too many?

[hoosierhen]

I have a small orchard adjacent to my chicken yard. I have apple and pear trees. The apple trees are far enough that they don't fall into their yard, but some pears will I'm sure.

I let the girls free range any evening I am home, and I'm wondering now that the apples are starting to fall, whether I should pick them up or just let the girls eat at ther hearts content? Same question for the pears. Thanks in advance!

 

[ScoobyRoo]

This is my first time ever with chickens and I've been wondering the same thing hoosierhen. I have apples, pears, peaches, cherries, plums and necterines in my yard and my girls free range ALL the time. The cherries and plums have come and gone already and they ate to their hearts consent. I've not seen anything unusual with the chickens eating all that. But is too much not good? I hope someone can let us know from their experience.

 

[hoosierhen]

Mine only free range about an hour every evening. I guess they can't do too much damage in that amount of time. Welcome to BYC, by the way

 

[sundance]

welcome to BYC, I don't think the chickens will eat to much of the fruit but if you have more than both you and family can use, I'm sure that the local senior citizens center would love to have it.

marrie

 

[spook]

The chickens should not be affected by the fruit. I feed mine apples and pears along with other fruit. Technically if they eat the seeds they can get an overload of cyanide(sp), but its not likely they willl eat that many whole apples. They will still eat a variety while out free ranging.