Too Much Watermelon?

[ClareScifi]

I read that watermelon rinds are good for chickens to have access to on hot days, so when it was hot here recently I put out a rind every day for my two hens to peck at. There was some watermelon pulp left on the rinds. Do you think this could have been too high in sugar, making my chickens overly fat?

How much watermelon is too much, in your opinion?

Clare

 

[stargirl]

My Martha hen definitely ate too much yesterday - I put down a generous portion for the two of them but one wasn't interested, so Martha ate the lot. She's had runny poop all day today, but no other problems.

I give my girls fruit all summer long and they definitely aren't fat. What makes you worry that yours might be?

 

[Meghalu]

In my opinion, there is no such thing as too much watermelon! I can't stop eating it.....

I wouldn't worry about fruit sugars making your chickens fat, watermelon is often suggested as a diet food because it is primarily water. Do you feel your chickens are too fat? If so, what else are they eating?

 

[ClareScifi]

I posted a picture of my chickens under the heading "Are My Chickens Too Fat" just a little while ago. If you wouldn't mind checking it out and seeing what you think? They get 18% pellets and some greens.

I gave them scratch in the winter but stopped this spring when I thought they were getting too fat.

I give them an occasional blueberry, or strawberry, but I don't think I will anymore. I did scramble an egg for them this morning, but I don't do that often.

 

[Chick named Lola]

It'll give them runny poo but they love it.

 

[groundpecker]

Yesterday i bought a very large melon. i ate what i could, put some in storage containers and fed the rest to my flock. I bet what was left over was about 12 pounds. they pecked it clean. I have noticed no side effects, except a little runny poo this morning.

 

[Meghalu]

They look fine, I wouldn't worry about it. In fact, I would worry alot more about if they are too hot (that can kill them in a day) then I would about if they are too fat. You're doing fine.

 

[2 Acres]

Grapes are a good alternative. I know my girls like them.