in Agriculture from Cal Poly Pomona where I studied topics like farm animal reproduction, genetics, nutrition and more. Chickens are more likely to suffer folate deficiency than most farm livestock. No. My name is April and I've owned chickens in some form or another since I was 17 years old. Can chickens eat cantaloupe? They can chew on it to toughen up their teeth, but it causes diarrhea if swallowed. Key among them is that this treat contains plenty of vitamins A, B, and C. Most importantly, you can feed your bird the rind and seeds, unlike other types of fruits. Mar 10, 2020 - Can Chickens Eat Cantaloupe? Chickens adore picking the meat off bones, even chicken bones, but you need to remove the bones from the coop after a day or two. There’s no exact amount of cantaloupes to feed your chicken. Of course, water is essential to the hydration of your birds and foods high in water can ensure that they meet their requirements (especially in warmer temperatures and hotter climates). So, now let’s see how vitamin A helps chickens. If you do decide to refrigerate, consider that you should look to feed it to your birds within 1-2 days. No, you should not overfeed your chickens with cantaloupes. It is revered for its beauty,... Poultry birds have several different functions. Let us look at some of the best fruits to consider offering your birds: Cantaloupes make a great addition to the diets of chickens; offering a more rounded, nutritionally balanced and varied source of energy. Do not let the cut cantaloupes stay too long before you feed them to the chickens. Yes they can. If preferable, organic options should always be sought out. Vitamin A ensures the healthiness of the eyes, skin, respiratory, and digestive tract of chickens. They improve the digestive health of the chickens. yes, chickens can eat melons of all sorts of kinds they love it. yes, chickens can eat melons of all sorts of kinds they love it. Whether you offer this in small quantities each day, or a once per week treat is ultimately up to you. Another option is to dice and cut the cantaloupe into chunks ahead of time. It will change their poop color to red or purple, but nothing to worry about. in Agriculture from Cal Poly in Pomona, CA where she studied genetics, nutrition and reproduction. Cantaloupe is a great, versatile food for chickens. But when your chickens are facing extreme stress, an external source of vitamin C will come good. Calcium is what is used to make strong eggshells; and broken or weak shells are often an indicator that a chicken has insufficient calcium intake in the diet. One final consideration is ensuring as they are fresh. Chickens can eat cantaloupes, in a variety of different ways, and they typically enjoy eating this type of melon. Cantaloupes should only be given as treats. Eggshells should be … Chickens should not eat anything mouldy. Yes, chickens love eating cantaloupe. They should never displace your flocks regular feed, but are ideal to offer in moderation. To some, Lavender Orpington Chickens might appear grey, but they are actually lavender. People love to produce their food. What makes these chickens so great? Beyond this, potassium is known to support heart health and helps lower the risk of heart disease. Yes, they can. Yes, they can. Avocado. Chickens usually attempt to eat it but will only eat a small amount as it is generally filling. This should be expected. This chicken is a red sex link created in the 1950s for incredible egg production. Calcium is one of the most important minerals for chickens. for many reasons. You should seek a vet doctor’s advice for more details. April has owned and worked with domestic fowl including chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, and guineas since 1998. A second option is to dry the seeds or the rind and feed it to the chickens. Chickens Sharing your kitchen scraps and leftovers with your flock is a great way to vary their diet, especially when winter has killed the grasses and bugs they usually forage upon. In short, chickens can definitely eat cantaloupe. Any longer than this and you risk bacteria developing which can cause illness in your birds. For all chickens, calcium supports strong bone health along with bone formation. Again, you cut this up into smaller pieces, or offer it whole. Candy, Caffeine, Chocolate, Anything Salty, Sugary or Moldy- These are bad for their digestive systems and can … Apples Raw and … And they love them all – watermelon, cantaloupe, any type really. Place the divide parts before the chickens and let them have a go at it. One way is to divide the whole cantaloupe into halves, quarters, or eighths. The rind (outer shell and layer) is of course the least appetizing, and is mostly fibrous. Always feed your chickens only fresh cantaloupes. Chickens CAN EAT THESE FOODS. Golden Comet chickens are a beautiful bird with stunning colors. Potassium will help ease the effect of high temperatures on your chicken. Cantaloupe is very safe for chickens to eat. read more. are all Cucurbita (a genus in the gourd family of Cucurbitaceae), and that the seeds of … For those of you who scrolled down to the emboldened title for the answer to this question, Yes, chickens can eat cantaloupe. In particular, potassium works closely and enables the effective use of water. There are a few ways to feed cantaloupes to your chickens. And they relish it immensely, even when they don’t have a sweet tooth! The Cantaloupe is absolutely safe for consumption by the chickens. Bacteria and pathogens can develop and these can cause issues with your birds at the expense of any benefits. Eating water-rich fruits like cantaloupe can also help. In doing so, you make them much easier for your birds to consume. It also plays a crucial role in a number of associated with cellular functions. Beets. They can eat the seeds but not the rinds. Nevertheless, with some washing in advance, you can reduce or minimize their exposure. Cantaloupes are a very healthy treat for chickens. This should make up the bulk of their diet, as it provides all the nutrition they ever need. Potassium also improves water intake, and this helps when the environment is too hot for the chickens. But there is some information about laying hens that may surprise... Hey there! Pumpkin seeds are said to aid in prevention of worms. Cantaloupes that are rotten or have mold should be thrown away. Fiber is important, but only in appropriate amounts. Cucumbers: Let mature for yummy seeds and flesh. I've fed all of the above to our chickens at some point in time. Can chickens eat cantaloupe? This is true for all fruits and vegetables for your chickens – especially if you are looking to offer the rind (which will naturally carry most of these harmful substances). ; Citrus Fruit- Chickens may not be given any type of citrus. They are low in calories (energy), low in fat and relatively low in carbohydrates too when compared to some other high sugar fruits. The outer rind can be tough for them to peck at, so it is not surprising that they avoid it. read more. As you can see, the list of foods that chickens can eat is pretty epic! Steer clear from anything that is bad for you, as a human (like alcohol, sweets, and heavily processed foods) along with toxic foods like rhubarb and avocado. this will not only cause bacteria to start collecting but can also attract unwanted visitors, like rodents to your birds. Melons – Cantaloupe is a particular favorite, but other types of melon are safe for chickens, too. In fact, when you look at the nutritional breakdown of this melon, you notice that it is mostly water. The flesh is the tastiest part of the cantaloupe, so it is not surprising that chickens love it. It comes as no surprise to learn that folate deficiency is common in these birds. Cantaloupe has a fair amount of fiber; which supports the digestive system of chickens and a healthy, regular, digestive tract. As a general rule of thumb, fruit (including cantaloupe) should make up a total of 5% of your birds total food intake. In fact, it is one of their favorite fruits. Source: backyardchickens.com. Cantaloupes, like many other treats, are best served in moderation and fed in a variety of different ways. Nevertheless, cantaloupes are generally safe for your chickens, and many keepers report that their birds love to consume these melons when they are provided. Begin by removing the rind with a knife, before cutting the fruit into small cubes. Is this specific type of melon safe to offer, healthy or even something in which you can look to provide? This is an effective way of managing portion sizes. When given in the right quantity, cantaloupes are generally safe for your chickens. Consider that some of the rind will be likely left and will need removing. Chickens can eat most parts of a cantaloupe. That being said, cantaloupes should be offered as treats and as an addition to the diet. We will be running through the nutrients on offer, how to feed them and other great fruits you should consider. For your flock, antioxidants can support the development and maintencence of body tissues; including both their skin and feathers. They absolutely love them!!! Cantaloupe is mostly made up of water so it is a great fruit for hot summer days. It is a treat for them to eat the left-over parts of the melon off of the rind. Best Answers. Folate is a B-vitamin that is relatively hard to come by in the diet. Yes, your chickens can eat cantaloupe seeds. Will rind of cantaloupe hurt your chickens? There are a few other foods that should be avoided, too. The lowering of blood pressure and protection of the heart have been observed in individuals with a higher intake. Yes, they can. Deficiency of vitamin A predisposes your chickens to diseases like roup and conjunctivitis. A lot of small agriculturalists feed their chickens cantaloupe rinds to eat and excess melon seeds that their family is not eating. You can mix the seeds into other foods, or even into their main pelleted feed for a nutritional boost. Chickens can eat cantaloupes, in a variety of different ways, and they typically enjoy eating this type of melon. Just be sure that you do not leave any uneaten melon out for too long as it can begin to rot. It is essential to be sure that the cantaloupe is not super rotted. We will help answer any questions that you may have and provide as much information and research that we can to help you take the best care of your pet. ], Can Chickens Eat Kiwi? You can give them raw or cooked. Plums. It is an antioxidant, so it can help reduce oxidative stress in chickens. Have been eating a lot of cantaloupe and have been giving the girls the rinds and seeds. Eggs: Hard-cooked and scrambled are a good source of protein, and a favorite treat. When offering the chunks, you can either do so as a standalone treat or mix them into other foods, like their pelleted feed. Pet Educate is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. ]. Would you eat this tomato? One thing with chickens is that they can eat various types of foods. Chickens will eat the rind, the seeds, and the flesh of the cantaloupe. It is essential for the development of strong bones in your chicken. Chickens are not particularly fussy eaters, and tend to attempt to eat food whenever they come across it, find it, or when it is provided for them. Great treat—provides protein and it’s fun to watch the chickens catch them. So, what nutrients are present in cantaloupes, and how are they useful to your chickens? You will be shocked to see how your chickens eat melons. You must, however, pay attention to the freshness and quantity of the cantaloupes you feed them. So, let’s see what each part they eat has to offer. With all this being said; chickens should consume most of their food from their designated pelleted feed. Can Turkeys Eat Chicken Feed? Earthworms- Chickens may find and eat them themselves, however eating earthworms may cause Gapeworm, so do not feed them to your chickens. Cantaloupe Seeds: Yes. She has a B.S. If you want to share it with your backyard feathered friends, you might wonder: can chickens eat watermelon? Well, in cantaloupes, you will find the following nutrients: Beta carotene can help your chicken in many ways. The seeds can also be fed, and chickens are able to safely digest them. Potassium is another integral mineral, playing a key role in a number of metabolic and cell functions. AKA: Muskmelon. Overfeeding them leaves your chicken at risk of diarrhea. Due to the presence of gizzards in their stomach, they are suited for the digestion of whole seeds. If … So, it can help these birds regulate their body temperatures. But of course, each part does not taste the same or offer the same things. In this article, we will be discussing cantaloupe as a treat for chickens. They are the perfect hybrid of a Rhode Island Red rooster and White Leghorn hen. However, like with many other treats, you should feed … Ultimately, it depends on where your cantaloupes have been sourced and your attitude towards exposing your birds to potentially harmful substances. 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