Which vegetables are good for your chickens, and which ones are bad?

[SwampPrincessChick]

I'm looking to see which vegetables we can give our chickens, and which ones we should avoid. I would also prefer if we gave them something that is nutritious!

@SwampQueenChick

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Why???
There are all sorts of lists all over the internet (some copied here to BYC). They have some level of reliability, but mostly, they seem assembled from "common knowledge" and assumptions that things that are potentially problematic for humans are also problem for chickens - not always true - and vice versa (again, not always true).

Treat fresh veggies as treats. Less than 10% of daily intake by weight, and don't feed the same sorts of veggies every day. If there is something you plan on growing, and expect to have waste from that plant you are considering offering your birds, look that particular plant up and research it specifically. If its truly harmful in quantity, chances are your birds will check it out (they explore the world with their beaks, after all) then turn their noses up and studiously ignore it - given the choice.

But most importantly, ensure they have enough of a nutritionally complete (likely commercial) chicken feed, and plenty of fresh clean water.

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

Why???
There are all sorts of lists all over the internet (some copied here to BYC). They have some level of reliability, but mostly, they seem assembled from "common knowledge" and assumptions that things that are potentially problematic for humans are also problem for chickens - not always true - and vice versa (again, not always true).

Treat fresh veggies as treats. Less than 10% of daily intake by weight, and don't feed the same sorts of veggies every day. If there is something you plan on growing, and expect to have waste from that plant you are considering offering your birds, look that particular plant up and research it specifically. If its truly harmful in quantity, chances are your birds will check it out (they explore the world with their beaks, after all) then turn their noses up and studiously ignore it - given the choice.

But most importantly, ensure they have enough of a nutritionally complete (likely commercial) chicken feed, and plenty of fresh clean water.

I am asking this because some information on the internet is a lie. Some people just want to say that a vegetable is good for chickens because they just assume it would be, or want to simply have more things listed.

I also want quick answers. I don't wish to read a whole internet article that will probably have a lot of non-related sentences in it just to make the article appear longer and therefore more informative.

Overall, I see BYC as a quicker and more efficient place to get answers from.

 

[SwampQueenChick]

Why???
There are all sorts of lists all over the internet (some copied here to BYC). They have some level of reliability, but mostly, they seem assembled from "common knowledge" and assumptions that things that are potentially problematic for humans are also problem for chickens - not always true - and vice versa (again, not always true).

Treat fresh veggies as treats. Less than 10% of daily intake by weight, and don't feed the same sorts of veggies every day. If there is something you plan on growing, and expect to have waste from that plant you are considering offering your birds, look that particular plant up and research it specifically. If its truly harmful in quantity, chances are your birds will check it out (they explore the world with their beaks, after all) then turn their noses up and studiously ignore it - given the choice.

But most importantly, ensure they have enough of a nutritionally complete (likely commercial) chicken feed, and plenty of fresh clean water.

What do you mean by "Why" ???

Isn't BYC a place to ask questions about topics that interest a person?
Isn't BYC a place to ask for help if needed?
Understandably the internet is full of info ( much of it is not so helpful or legit ).
Maybe a person would like knowledgeable help from experienced chicken keepers.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I am asking this because some information on the internet is a lie. Some people just want to say that a vegetable is good for chickens because they just assume it would be, or want to simply have more things listed.

I also want quick answers. I don't wish to read a whole internet article that will probably have a lot of non-related sentences in it just to make the article appear longer and therefore more informative.

Overall, I see BYC as a quicker and more efficient place to get answers from.

This is a good and honest answer. Unfortunately, I am unaware of a reliably sourced list. Just a number of oft repeated lists.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

And I asked why so that I would better understand the purpose or intent of the inquiry. We get people on BYC with the idea of feeding their birds veggie diets from the garden - because they've read, or assume, that a vegan diet of salad fixings is good for their birds.

Of course it isn't.

Or if you want to feed the left over pumpkin/gourd from Halloween. Sure, as long as it's not moldy.

Kitchen scraps? In moderation. They will ignore, largely, the things they best avoid - assuming they have ready supply of balanced feed.

Frozen grapes, cucumbers, and melons of all sorts are popular treats during times of high heat.

But a general purpose list? I don't know any well sourced ones.

 

[saysfaa]

Avoid onions and raw dry (mature) beans/peas. And the leaves and stems of tomatoes and potatoes. And avocado and citrus if you want fruits also.

Pretty much anything else you might consider vegetables is ok.

I second using chicken feed for nutrition. Even the most nutritious options aren't going to be close to that - to the point of how much nutrition the vegetables have doesn't matter. Although I think there are benefits to fresh food besides the standard macro and micro nutrients, it doesn't take much to get those benefits.

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

And I asked why so that I would better understand the purpose or intent of the inquiry. We get people on BYC with the idea of feeding their birds veggie diets from the garden - because they've read, or assume, that a vegan diet of salad fixings is good for their birds.

Of course it isn't.

Or if you want to feed the left over pumpkin/gourd from Halloween. Sure, as long as it's not moldy.

Kitchen scraps? In moderation. They will ignore, largely, the things they best avoid - assuming they have ready supply of balanced feed.

Frozen grapes, cucumbers, and melons of all sorts are popular treats during times of high heat.

But a general purpose list? I don't know any well sourced ones.

No worries, I only want to feed it to them as a snack.

Avoid onions and raw dry (mature) beans/peas. And the leaves and stems of tomatoes and potatoes. And avocado and citrus if you want fruits also.

Pretty much anything else you might consider vegetables is ok.

I second using chicken feed for nutrition. Even the most nutritious options aren't going to be close to that - to the point of how much nutrition the vegetables have doesn't matter. Although I think there are benefits to fresh food besides the standard macro and micro nutrients, it doesn't take much to get those benefits.

Thank you!!