If you are a farm owner who happens to have many apple trees and raise chickens then good job, you are living the dream. But if we move aside the picturesque scene, then you are probably left with tons of apple leftovers that can’t be used. Wait before getting rid of them, because you have chickens and they can take care of all the apple scraps for you.
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Are apples safe for chickens?
Chickens can eat as many apples as they want without getting sick. Not only they will devour the fruit, but they will receive so many important nutrients that will maintain their health.
Apple skin, core, and seeds all are rich in nutrients but are they beneficial to the chicken? This is something that you won’t need to think over because the same nutrients we get from apples are the ones the birds get when they eat the fruits. This can do much in improving your flock’s health and productivity if combined with other diverse and highly nutritious foods.
How Many Apples Can Chickens Eat Daily
Chickens have a fast metabolism and can eat non-stop. While apples are highly beneficial, you would be better off giving your chickens diverse food. Our recommendation is to avoid giving a single kind of food to your birds, even only occasionally.
Experts would recommend you to give apples in moderate quantities. However, feel free to introduce a variety of fruits and vegetables over the week to cover the whole spectrum of nutrients your chickens need to receive. The goal is to keep them filled and happy, living on a balanced diet.
Why Apple Seeds may be Cause for Worry
The reason why many poultry farmers ask whether chickens can eat apples is because of the fuss surrounding apple seeds. Apple seeds indeed contain small quantities of cyanide. Cyanide is a toxin that is dangerous to humans and can kill if taken in a certain quantity.
Humans can eat the seeds in a couple of apples without experiencing any toxic effects because the dose isn’t large enough to cause any damage. On the other hand, chickens have smaller guts and a lower liver capacity to detoxify any harmful substances.
Farm animal health experts say that three-quarters of a teaspoon of seeds can get your chicken sick. Any amount beyond that can be fatal. If a chicken accidentally eats two or three apple seeds, it will come out unscathed. Anything more than that can make your bird sick or even kill them.
It’s best to avoid feeding them with apple seeds altogether. Remove the seeds from the apples and chop the fruit into small easily consumable chunks to prevent accidental choking.
How to Treat Your Chickens with Apples the Proper Way
Apples are incredibly nutritious and can make up to 5 percent of chicken’s daily feed. They are very high in fiber and carbohydrates but low in plant protein. Therefore, apples cannot be a significant source of food for your flock.
Even if the birds like apples, you must regulate the amount you feed them each time to get a balanced diet from their regular meals.
If you have many apple trees and too many apples, or you have sourced a cheaper apple-based food supply, you should reconsider giving all that fruit to your chickens. Too many apples can cause an upset stomach, and lead to foul-smelling poo.
Lingering poo on the bottom of the chicken can attract germs that can make your birds sick.
Another alternative to the excess apple supply can be cooked apples. They are easier to peck on, and better for their bellies if consumed in larger quantities. However, the no-seeds rule applies here too.
You should also avoid putting any sugar as chickens don’t need processed sweeteners in their diet. Apple skin and peelings are as great for chicken. This is a great idea, especially if you make apple cider vinegar. You can use the leftovers to feed your chicks. The apple peels are full of nutrients and low in sugar, suitable for the birds.
Crab apples are ideal for your flock, but they cannot eat them as it is. Only the ones that lie on the ground are soft enough for chicken beaks to penetrate. You can designate an area on your farm and plant the crab apples in an easily accessible place where the chickens can roam around.
How many times should you feed apples to your chickens?
It is considered acceptable to give your chicken a quarter of an average-sized apple occasionally. You can do it 2x or 3x a week. A good practice is to skip two or three days between the treats to give the chicken’s system enough time to extract the necessary nutrients and excrete waste.
If you have the time and want to diversify your flock’s life, then you can hang some ripe, seedless apples around the garden for them to find.
And if you want your garden to receive a complete makeover, then place chopped chunks of apples in different places and wait for your chicks to help you out.
What are the Apple Benefits for Chickens?
Apples have high vitamin C levels, which is a well-known antioxidant and promotes the healthy growth of skin and feathers. It also has a decent amount of vitamin A, which helps sharpen the vision and function of the body systems. B6 which is highly present in apples is perfect for blood health and nerve and brain function.
Apples also contain calcium, potassium, and magnesium. These minerals are essential in bone development and strength, support nerve function, and balance the fluid composition in the birds’ bodies. This leads to overall good health.
The other nutrients include iron, which forms part of blood that gives it the red color and forms several enzymes that control and regulate body functions. Plant protein, fiber, and carbohydrates are also found in the flesh of the apple.
Protein helps with the growth and control of body functions, forms muscles and other structural parts of the chicken body. Carbohydrates, on the other hand, provide a quick source of energy to keep your chicken robust, vibrant and attentive. Fiber supports digestion and gut health.
Final Thoughts
As long as you feed apples to your chickens in moderate quantities and do it only a couple of days a week, your birds will thrive. Make sure to remove all the seeds, and preferably chop the apples into tiny and easily consumable pieces.
