We have three huge, overgrown orange trees in our back yard which is also our chicken's habitat. We're pretty good about picking up the windfalls, but this past week they've been dropping all day long and often split because of the impact. My older hens have never had any interest in the oranges, but this new batch of chicks (6 pullets and 2 cockerels) have gone nuts over them! They actually pick pieces up and run around chasing each other. I've found several oranges completely hollowed out. They have access to feed, water, and grass pasture all day long so it can't be that they're not getting enough to eat.
My concern is that I remember reading that citrus should not be given to chickens, but I can't find out WHY. I've also read that chickens have an instinct for what's good and what's not and have the feeling that they wouldn't eat them if they were really poisonous to them. I haven't seen any ill effects in the little ones, who are three months old, but I'm wondering if anyone knows what I should be looking for.
My concern is that I remember reading that citrus should not be given to chickens, but I can't find out WHY. I've also read that chickens have an instinct for what's good and what's not and have the feeling that they wouldn't eat them if they were really poisonous to them. I haven't seen any ill effects in the little ones, who are three months old, but I'm wondering if anyone knows what I should be looking for.