Now the next dumb question

Probably wouldn't hurt them, but I don't know why they would want to eat them.

If you want to throw the peanuts out without shelling them, you could try it. I suggest something different for chicken treats, though.

 

If they're like mine, they'll break the peanuts out of the shells and eat them.

Then eat the shells.

 

you could put them in between some towels and use a rolling pin to break them up better for them.

 

Can they eat the shells?

I doubt anything will eat the shells except maybe termites​

 

My girls don't eat the shells. I don't give them peanuts on purpose but I've seen them find the ones hidden by the scrub jays. (I do feed peanuts in the shells to the scrub jays, who hide them in the mulch where the chickens like to scratch.) They (the chickens) seem to have a good time slamming the peanuts into the ground until they break the shells and get to the nuts inside, which then take several pecks to eat. Yeah, you could make it easier for them, but as you said, it gives them something to do.

 

Peanuts are one of Zues favorite treats. I just give the shell and all , He opens them hisself.

 

Mine will eat the peanut shells that the Squirrels and Stellar Jays drop. They also will break open peanuts and eat the nut and shell. I buy the raw peanuts from the feedstore.
I don't think that the shells have much in the way of nutrition to them.

Imp

btw- Not a dumb question.