My chicks got into human food yesterday and ate orange chicken...

[Tatuana]

I've had the flu lately, so this is 100 percent my fault in terms of Things Not To Feed Chicks.

They're about four weeks old now. I had a plate of my leftover dinner on the floor until I got up the energy to put it in the sink. (Been glued to my couch). My sister let the chicks outside to run around, who promptly came back inside into the living room. After a while they found my dinner. And loved it. I was too sick to shoo them off and was home alone at the time, so I let them have it (Stupidly). It was only about a tablespoon of sauce, and maybe two small bits of chicken broken up, but still.

They seem fine this morning, but should I be worried? I'm sure there was a lot of sugar in the chicken. Do I run the risk of them becoming addicted? And also, the chickens may have just eaten their cousin George. (I know they're not really related, but still.) Should I be worried about them eating chicken? Or meat?


I admit, in my fever induced state it was hilarious. But now in the glaring light of morning my fever has broken, and the "Oh shoot" reality has set in.

 

[BYCforlife]

They've eaten it now, so it's too late. Make sure they have access to grit, chick starter, and water at all times. As long as it doesn't happen again you should be fine.

 

[cottontail farm]

Chickens love people food, our chickens get tons of house scraps. Probably happiest day of their lives especially if rice was involved.

 

[Ms Clucky]

The meat is fine. They eat bugs, so. The sugar part, might just watch them.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

They've eaten it now, so it's too late. Make sure they have access to grit, chick starter, and water at all times. As long as it doesn't happen again you should be fine.

I always find it ironic that chickens love the taste of chicken. Then again, who doesn’t,

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Chickens are omnivores and in nature sometimes they are known to even kill and eat other chickens. This isn't a big problem.

The orange can have problems with layers, but your chicks aren't laying. Citrus peels do something strange with layers.

Sugar can cause sour crop because sugar+bacteria=more bacteria. So as long as you monitor them for that they should be fine.

 

[Shadrach]

I've had the flu lately, so this is 100 percent my fault in terms of Things Not To Feed Chicks.

They're about four weeks old now. I had a plate of my leftover dinner on the floor until I got up the energy to put it in the sink. (Been glued to my couch). My sister let the chicks outside to run around, who promptly came back inside into the living room. After a while they found my dinner. And loved it. I was too sick to shoo them off and was home alone at the time, so I let them have it (Stupidly). It was only about a tablespoon of sauce, and maybe two small bits of chicken broken up, but still.

They seem fine this morning, but should I be worried? I'm sure there was a lot of sugar in the chicken. Do I run the risk of them becoming addicted? And also, the chickens may have just eaten their cousin George. (I know they're not really related, but still.) Should I be worried about them eating chicken? Or meat?


I admit, in my fever induced state it was hilarious. But now in the glaring light of morning my fever has broken, and the "Oh shoot" reality has set in.

Chickens are omnivorous. They will quite happily eat chicken pig, duck, lizards, pretty much any meat you care to think of.
The sauce may not be quite so good for them, and probably not quite so good for you either.
My advice is don't lie still on the ground or you may find you're a limb missing.
Seriously, they should be fine. You should see what they dig up and eat here.

 

[Tatuana]

I always find it ironic that chickens love the taste of chicken. Then again, who doesn’t,

They did go kind of crazy for it. The sauce was interesting, but they'd grab the meat and run and hide before someone saw them. In the moment it was very, very strange. But funny. They had a great time figuring out how to get the chicken from the sauce.

Sugar can cause sour crop because sugar+bacteria=more bacteria. So as long as you monitor them for that they should be fine.

What should I watch for? I haven't heard of sour crop before. Is it dangerous? They have lots of water, grit, dirt, and food freely. Sometimes I throw in a lump of grass they devour. They like the worms in it.

Chickens are omnivorous. They will quite happily eat chicken pig, duck, lizards, pretty much any meat you care to think of.
The sauce may not be quite so good for them, and probably not quite so good for you either.
My advice is don't lie still on the ground or you may find you're a limb missing.
Seriously, they should be fine. You should see what they dig up and eat here.

Oh, the chicken is absolutely horrible for me. But it was something I didn't have to cook, and I was hungry. Luckily I can cook healthy food today!

I've already learned the hard way not to lie on the ground. Zinthos, my Polish, likes teeth. A lot. You'll be sitting on the ground having a conversation, and she will just stare at your teeth. Next thing you know, she's flying at your teeth trying to peck them. She's done it several times now. It's gross. She also likes armpits. Being pecked in the armpit hurts.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Just keep an eye on them for the next few days, look for signs of general illness in your birds, lethargy, lack of eating, etc.
https://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2012/02/sour-crop.html
This is a pretty OK article on it if I recall.

 

[Alexandra33]

I wouldn't worry about it. As long as your babies are provided with grit, everything should be just fine.

In terms of what chickens can and can't consume, given lists can be a little misleading. No, they're not going to die from eating foods containing sugar, salt, fat, ect., unless in gross excess. If some wish to restrict what treats their flock gets, it's absolutely fine.....that's not my point. But others (like me!) prefer to give the birds leftovers of nearly every meal at risk of spoiling. This includes desserts. Realistically, my chooks are robust and healthy as horses. One of the first broods of chicks received muffin crumbs as a special little tidbit.

While there's nothing wrong with taking precautions, these guidelines have potential to cause fear where there should be none. I'm sure a little orange chicken didn't hurt a thing. But if you're concerned, keep an eye on them.

~Alex