What Not To Feed My Chickens
Some people say that Kitchen scraps are bad for your Chickens There are lots of things that are bad for your chickens. Or not so grate for them. Here you will figure out what is bad for your chickens, and what to stay away from to keep your little feathered friends happy. As long as none of this stuff below is in your kitchen scraps , then it is completely safe to feed to your chickens!
UNCOOKED RICE
Cooked rice is perfectly fine for your chickens to eat, on the other hand Uncooked Rice is really bad for them. The reason is it will blow up in your chickens stomach. It expands when it is introduced to moisture.
DRY OR UNCOOKED BEANS
Same with rice . However Uncooked Beans is bad for not only birds, But also people. It contains a toxin called Hemagglutinin.
RAW EGGS
Raw eggs are fine to feed to your chickens, but once they eat a raw egg and find out just how tasty their eggs are. They will start eating their own eggs in there nesting boxes. So if you want to feed them eggs, I suggest you cook them first.
CHOCOLATE
Chocolate is not safe for chickens. Chocolate contains Theobromine which is bad Chickens as well as other pets. Like Cats and Dogs.
NIGHTSHADE VEGETABLES
Nightshade vegetables are not great for your chickens, they are not deadly either. If you are worried you should not feed them Nightshade vegetables. What are Nightshade Vegetables? These are the Nightshade vegetables that are bad for your chickens Tomato, Pepper, Potato, Eggplant and Eggplant leaves . You should probably Not feed these to your chickens.
GREEN OR SPROUTED POTATOES
They contain a toxic called Solanine. It effects their nervous system. It is bad for both birds and people. The leaves and stems are also bad for them and also have a toxin. So it is best to keep your chickens away from your potato plants if you have any. Although you can feed your chickens Sweet potato . It is completely safe for them.
AVOCADOS
The skin and pits are REALLY BAD for your chickens. It contains a toxic called Persin it is really Deadly to feed to them. You can feed them the fleshy part of the avocado like once in a while. Or just a tiny bit.
CITRUS FRUITS
Citrus fruits are not good for your chickens. Some people say that it can cause less egg production. Or even worse, diarrhea. Some say its Okay, I would stay away from it.
ONIONS,CHIVES, AND GARLIC
A little bit is fine, but try not to give them a lot. Otherwise if they eat too much it might effect the flavor of their eggs. Also, it could cause them to get Heinz Anemia.
SALT
Some salt is fine , but too much is Deadly. Try not to give them heavily salted foods.
RAW MEAT
Raw meat is Really bad for your chickens. It can carry parasites and diseases. Some people say that it can also make your chickens have Aggressive behavior and cannibalism in the flock.
ROTTEN FOODS
Over ripe fruits and vegetables are fine, don't feed them rotten or moldy ones. If you would not eat it. Why should Chickens.
PROCESSED FOODS
processed foods and junk foods aren't great for your chickens, They aren't good for us either.
GREASY FOODS
Greasy food is not god for your chickens. It is not easy for chickens to digest it.
RHUBARB LEAVES
Rhubarb leaves are not good for your chickens. They contain an Oxalic Acid. It can cause Calcium deficiency. Prolonged exposure can lead to kidney failure.
DAIRY
Chickens cant digest Lactose, So its best that you do not give them any dairy. If you want to give your chickens calcium, you could give them crushed up egg shells or oyster shells.
GRASS CLIPPINGS AND WEEDS
It is best not to give them Grass clipping or weeds,just let them forage for themselves. If you give them weeds and grass that are too big can cause Impacted crop.
RAW PEANUTS
Peanuts are a member of the Legume family. They contain a Trypsin inhibitor ( Trypsin is an enzyme that the pancreas makes to help the intestines absorb protein). This is why raw peanuts are said to be bad for Chickens, Squirrels and other small animals, some birds cant eat them either. Still there are the same number of opinions that say that they are okay for chickens. So you be the judge.
Well now you know whats bad for chickens, and as long as none of this food is in your kitchen scraps, then you can feed your kitchen scraps to chickens!