Can Chickens Eat Potato Peels?

Your chickens can eat potato peels, but not all types are suitable for them. There are some that contain chemicals that aren't healthy for their digestive system. Here are some things to check for when giving potato peels to your chickens.

Should Chickens Consume Potato Skins?​

Although potatoes are nightshade vegetables, not all varieties are safe to consume. The white & yellow parts of potatoes, for example, may not be entirely safe, while sweet potatoes contain no toxins. A common toxin in potato peels is solanine, that turns them green when present.

It causes stomach upset as well as other problems, such as itching, inflammation, etc. In addition, solanine makes food taste bitter, so it is likely that your chickens will spit out food that contains such chemicals.

Even cooking the potato peels won't remove the solanine from them. It is imperative to be careful when giving potato peels to your chickens. So ensure that the potato peels you provide them are fresh and haven't turned green. Your chickens may suffer organ damage or even die if you feed them green potato peels.

Moreover, raw potato peels should not be fed to chickens. In order to remove all the toxins from the peels, you should bake them rather than boil them.

As a result of the high temperature, all toxins will be killed, and chickens will be able to eat the peels more easily. Check if your chickens like peels before feeding them. When chickens perceive an item to be unsafe, they can be very selective about what they choose to consume.

Other consumable parts of potatoes​

There are other parts of potatoes that chickens can eat besides their skins. In addition to the flesh of the potato, chickens can also munch on the leaves. In order to choose what type of potatoes to feed to your chickens, you must first understand what surrounds these choices.

Chickens can devour all parts of sweet potatoes, such as peels, flesh, and leaves. For other types of potatoes, such as russets and whites, not all parts are edible, especially if they have been exposed to direct sunlight and have turned green.

No matter what part you give to your chickens, don't overdo it. Health complications can occur if they consume too many potatoes. Your chickens shouldn't be fed potato peels as a main diet; they should only be offered them occasionally as treats. A few times a week should do.

Are Potato Skins Good For Chickens?​

In addition to containing the highest amount of nutrients in potatoes, potato peels offer numerous benefits to your chickens. A few of their benefits are listed below.

Blood cholesterol​

An antioxidant found in potato peels helps lower bad cholesterol levels in the blood. Having too much bad cholesterol can cause liver problems, obesity, and sudden death syndrome in your chickens.

Immunity​

Potato peels contain nutrients that boost immunity as well. As an example, potassium aids metabolism and balances chemical reactions in the body. Vitamin B3 aids in recovery while iron enhances red blood cells. Flavonoids in potato skins also protect the body from diseases.

Bone health​

Chickens require good bones for laying and fertilizing eggs and for growing into meat-producing birds. The nutrients found in potato peels are crucial to their health & egg production, including iron, potassium, copper, calcium, and other minerals. Further, the nutrients lower the chances of your chickens developing bone-related problems.

Heart health​

Besides humans, chickens also die from heart failure. You can, however, lower your chickens' risk of heart disease by feeding them potato peels, which contain potassium & omega-3 fatty acids. Additionally, they maintain blood sugar levels and blood pressure. A high blood sugar level can result in high blood pressure, which is a sign that a heart attack might be imminent.

Metabolism​

Due to their habit of eating almost anything they find, chickens require food that is digestible and promotes good gut health. Some breeds of chickens are picky when it comes to food. Many vitamins are found in potato peels, like niacin & vitamin B3, which assist in breaking down foods into their constituent parts.

Satiety​

Lastly, potato peels are filling because they contain a lot of fiber. You are already giving your chickens enough to satisfy their requirements. Fiber also prevents constipation & facilitates the movement of waste out of the body.

By feeding your flock potato skins, you can decrease the risk of diseases like diabetes, heart failure, etc., maintain the weight of your chickens, and increase their quality of health as well as the number of eggs they produce. Include potato peels in the diet of your chickens if you're on a budget.

Here's How To Bake Potato Skins For Your Chickens​

Chickens can snack on fresh potato peels that aren't green. Baking them, however, removes every toxin in the peels and makes them tasty. A guide to preparing potato peels for chickens is provided below:

Potatoes should be chosen carefully.​

No matter what kind of potato you choose, make sure it's in good condition, whether it's white, yellow, or sweet. When evaluating potatoes, they should feel firm to the touch, and not wrinkled or moldy. It's also important that there are no growths on them. Potatoes with eyes should be discarded.

You need to wash your potatoes​

Since potatoes grow in the ground, they are likely to be dirty. Use a mild sponge and water to scrub off all dirt. Be sure to clean it thoroughly before cutting the skin off.

Then peel the potatoes​

Peel the potatoes after washing them. Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit while peeling the potatoes. You can soak the peels in water until you are ready to bake them if you are not baking them right away.

Preparing the peels​

The peels should be dry before baking. You can dry the peels yourself with paper towels if you don't want to wait. Once the peels have dried, put them on a baking sheet & add a few tablespoons of oil. Vegetables can also be added. It is not necessary to add seasonings to your chickens' feed to prevent internal irritation.

Bake the peels​

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven after lining it with peels. The peels should be spaced out appropriately on the sheet. After 30 minutes, remove the sheet from the oven. In order to avoid burning the peels, you can set a timer.

Serve your chickens​

Let the chicken peels cool for a few minutes before serving. These can be cut into smaller pieces for your chickens; they will enjoy them. To avoid wasting your time and energy preparing something your chickens won't eat, test your chickens with a few baked potato peels first.

Conclusion​

Chickens can consume potato peels if they are in good condition and properly baked. The potato peels should not replace their main meals because they do not provide all the nutrients they need to grow. Potato peels, like other table scraps, should be given moderately to your chickens as a supplement to their diet.

So do you feed your chickens potato peels? Share your experiences below.