Can Chickens Eat Apples? All You Need To Know

Chickens love apples because they are delicious treats. Various nutrients are found in them, such as magnesium, vitamins, proteins, iron, etc., which help your flock remain healthy. Apples are an essential part of a chicken's diet as it is essential that your chickens eat healthy foods. Find out below what parts and how often you should feed your chickens apples.

Can Chickens Eat Apple Peels?​

Apple peels aren't enjoyed by all chickens. They are, however, safe to eat. Fiber and antioxidants in them provide satiation for your birds while boosting their immunity. Take a look at what happens when you give your chickens apple peels. Don't give them peels if they don't like them.

Can Chickens Eat Apple Seeds?​

Your chickens shouldn't eat apple seeds. The small amounts of cyanide contained in these seeds are enough to disrupt their metabolism. Oxygen is cut off when ingested, which causes cells to shut down. The condition is called cyanide poisoning.

A chicken that consumes apple seeds is likely to suffer health complications. Chickens don't have to eat many seeds to get sick. It's likely that your chickens will suffer from cyanide poisoning if their comb changes color or they have difficulty breathing. In the event of cyanide poisoning, chickens can usually die within 30 to 50 minutes. So, get them urgent veterinary care.

Can Chickens Eat Apple Cores?​

If your family enjoys eating apples, then apple cores will be common among your kitchen scraps. It is hard for your chickens to eat apple cores even though they are nutritional. Nevertheless, if your chickens enjoy apple cores, make sure you remove the seeds completely before serving them. Make sure you dice them properly so they won't choke on them. If you don't want to risk any health complications, don't feed your chickens apple cores.

Can Chickens Eat Apple flesh?​

Underneath the apple skin is the apple flesh. Among all the apple parts, it is the sweetest, softest, and most edible. This is the part your chickens will love to peck at the most. Make sure to cut it up into small pieces before you feed it to your chickens.

Why You Should Give Your Chickens Apples​

Apples are not only a tasty snack, but they are also packed with nutrients. However, each variety has a different nutritional value. Below are some reasons why you should feed apples to your chickens.

Digestion​

In addition to their high fiber content, apples are also satiating to chickens, since they soothe digestion and ease constipation. Furthermore, fiber helps to regulate blood sugar levels. With apples, your chickens won't be hungry all the time.

Health​

A large number of vitamins and minerals are present in apples, including anti-inflammatory compounds and vitamin C, which boost immunity. This vitamin is also important for fighting environmental stress. Here are some more vitamins & minerals contained in apples:

• Protein
• Fiber
• Vitamin B
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K
• Manganese
• Iron
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Phosphorus
• Zinc
• Folate

Cholesterol​

There has been research showing that apples help reduce bad cholesterol levels in chickens. LDL cholesterol, or bad cholesterol, can harm your chickens' health. It damages their internal organs and can cause obesity.

Weight​

Obesity is bad for your chickens. Obese chickens generally suffer from health problems. The reason for this is because their bodies contain excess fat, which slows down body temperature regulation and makes their livers more vulnerable.

Apples, however, prevent overweight chickens. The fiber contained in apples helps to keep your poultry from overeating, thus preventing them from gaining weight.

Bowel Movements​

To keep your chickens healthy, you have to make sure their digestion is not hindered. Apples help your chicken prevent constipation and aid in bowel movements, so they're not just good for digestion.

Bone health​

Healthy bones are essential for your chickens' survival. That's why their feed is specifically formulated to contribute to healthy bones. There are many factors that can contribute to bone loss, including inflammation and free radicals. Apples contain antioxidants that combat these factors.

Blood sugar​

Similar to humans, chickens can encounter blood sugar issues. Although it is rare, chickens can suffer from diabetes. It is important to regulate your chicken's blood sugar, even though it is necessary for their metabolic activities to function properly. You can regulate the level of insulin and glucagon in your chickens by feeding them apples.

Choosing The Right Apples For Your Chickens​

A good apple isn't hard to pick. A healthy apple is easy to tell by its texture and density. Some of the factors to consider when selecting apples for chickens are listed below.

Varieties​

The market has many varieties. Thus, what you look for in each variety can differ quite a bit. As an example, Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, etc. are some of the varieties. Some of them are hard, while some of them are soft.

The choice you make is determined by the purpose for which you are buying the apples. You should buy hard varieties of apples to feed your chicken instead of the soft ones since they are crunchier. The soft ones won't stay firm as long as hard varieties. You can ask a local farmer or orchard employee about the characteristics each type should have.

Texture​

The texture of an apple is also important when selecting a good apple. If it is mushy or moldy, it should be avoided. A firm apple should not give when touched. Avoid bruising the apple by testing its texture with your palm and not your fingers. In addition, if you see any growth on the apple, it has expired and should not be eaten.

Color​

Different apples have different colors, so the color isn't a good indicator of the quality. Some apples are red, while others are green. An apple that's in good condition has a vivid color and no discoloration. If the apple has discoloration, it's expired.

Appearance​

Tight skin is the hallmark of a good apple. Their skin is wrinkle-free, and they don't have bruises and soft spots. In addition, they do not have holes or any other defects. Blemished apples should not be consumed.

Taste​

If you're feeding your chickens an apple, taste it first. The apple should be crisp and juicy. It is likely that the apple has gone bad if it has a sour or grainy taste. A bad apple could have adverse effects on your chickens' health.

Expiry date​

There's usually an expiration date on the crate when you buy apples at the store. Ensure that you check it before buying. Be sure to only buy what your chickens can eat before that date passes.

Summary​

Almost every chicken loves eating apples. The excitement they exhibit when they receive the diced apples will tell you. Not every chicken breed enjoys apples, however. If they don't like them, you can provide them with other fruits or vegetables. If your chickens enjoy eating apples, make sure the seeds and cores are removed from the apples you give them. You can make this a fun treat by stringing a thread through the apple and hang it in the chicken run and let your chickens peck at it (again make sure you remove the seeds first).

Also, make sure you thoroughly wash all apples before feeding them to your chickens to remove any pesticides and chemicals.

In the event that your chickens dislike apples, you make also treat them to berries (such as raspberries & blueberries), melons, or veggies such as broccoli and zucchini.

One rule all chicken keepers need to keep in mind when it comes to treats is the 90/10 rule (90% commercial chicken's feed and 10% treats).