Can Chickens Eat Strawberries?

Before feeding chickens anything that isn’t specifically for them, you should ensure they can safely eat it. If you’ve ever considered feeding them fruit, you’ll be pleased to know that chickens can eat strawberries. 

Why Chickens Can Eat Strawberries

Strawberries contain vitamins A, C, and B9 and have quercetin, an anti-inflammatory component. These health perks are good for chickens’ growth and development, but you don’t want to give too many strawberries because they are high in sugar. Strawberries also contain potassium and manganese, which promote a healthy metabolism. 

Consider giving this fruit only as a treat rather than a regular part of their diet. It’s best as a treat not only because of the high sugar content but also because this fruit doesn’t contain all the required nutrition, so it shouldn’t replace their regular food.

Guidelines For Feeding Chickens Strawberries

Before feeding your chickens strawberries, it’s essential to consider a few guidelines. For starters, you should ensure the fruit doesn’t have pesticides or other chemicals. 

Some people prefer growing them in their garden so they know that the plant is safe for consumption. However, if you don’t have a garden or a place to start one, you can use store-bought strawberries if you wash them well.

Another guideline is not feeding it to baby chicks until they’re older than six weeks. Once they reach that age, the overly ripe and soft strawberries are best because they’re easier to eat. You could also mash the fruit for baby chicks to eat.

It’s also essential to ensure you don’t give your chickens any moldy fruit. Their digestive systems are susceptible to bacteria and infections, so inspecting them is crucial.

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