What not to feed chickens

[TabbyChickens]

Hi I am wondering what not to feed chickens. I don't have mine yet, but are there any toxic fruits or vegetables for chickens? I plan on giving mine compost treats like grass clippings and cabbage and stuff like that. Also if vegetables go bad, will the chickens still like them? Are fruit rinds okay?
Thanks!

 

[Maggie C]

Chickens will eat most anything but you should not feed them things that have spoiled. I don't know about other people's chickens but if I offered mine only fruit rinds they would stand there and laugh at me. I do give them fruit that is slightly overripe - bananas are a favorite (of my girls). Grasss clippings are fine and so is cabbage, lettuce, kale, broccoli, etc. About the only vegetable mine won't eat is carrots - not cooked, raw, grated, sliced, purreed - just not at all. While they will eat (devour) french fries, you should not feed them raw potatoes or potato peels. Be certain that they are getting the majority of their diet from a properly formulated feed -- starter, maintenance or layer according to their age and needs. Even when fed an optimal diet as mentioned they will still appreciate all the treats you have to offer. Many people give their chickens leftovers and when I fix spaghetti, I allways cook some extra noodles for the girls - just because it is such fun to watch them play chicken keep away with the noodles.

I also raise earthworms and give them a few a couple of times a week. When they see me get the shovel, they all come running. Apparently, I'm easily amused.

 

[TabbyChickens]

Thanks for your help! I'll keep all that in mind. How do you raise earthworms?

 

[azmotogirl]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-treat-chart-the-best-treats-for-backyard-chickens

This is a link to the treat chart with do's and don'ts for feeding your flock treats. Hope it is helpful!

(This is in the "Learning Center" area of the site.)

 

[Maggie C]

Thanks for your help! I'll keep all that in mind. How do you raise earthworms?

I have a raised bed that I built - now with chickens - it is completely enclosed or I wouldn't have any left.LOL. I started out with a few worm castings (eggs) and feed them my vegetable scraps. Like composting. For me, they are less hassle than mealworms. Good luck.

 

[TabbyChickens]

Thanks, I'll try that sometime! Where did you get the worm eggs?

 

[TabbyChickens]

Thanks, that was really useful!

 

[TabbyChickens]

That was to azmotogirl

 

[OkChickens]

Mealworms are very easy to raise and they reproduce really fast! They take about 5 minutes 2-3 times a week for me. Chickens shoundn't have Avocados or salty foods.

Nate

 

[TabbyChickens]

I looked at your mealworm farm, it looks pretty cool. I bet your chickens love it!