Question on cranberries??

[BillinasBackyard]

Hi everyone, l know the question of "are cranberries safe to feed my chickens" has already been brought up on here and I'm confident with all the resounding responses about what a great treat they are! My question is, can I just feed the berries as is? Or do they need to be halved first or even chopped up? I know people have said that grapes and such can be a choking hazard if fed whole, would this not pose the same threat? I just bought a big bag of fresh cranberries and am excited to treat my girls to something new but want to make sure I'm doing everything safely first. Thank you all so much for your help ❤

 

[nuthatched]

Chickens can swallow a mouse whole, so Cranberries won't be an issue. However, they likely won't eat them, they're very bitter.
We make a relish where you grind 2 large, clean oranges and one bag of berries, it's delicious.

 

[tripletfeb]

I have had a chicken choke on a grape before. Had to actually pull it out of her throat. Cut up the cranberries if you want, whatever makes you feel better. But like @nuthatched said, they might not eat them straight

 

[nuthatched]

I have had a chicken choke on a grape before. Had to actually pull it out of her throat. Cut up the cranberries if you want, whatever makes you feel better. But like @nuthatched said, they might not eat them straight

I'm not cutting up mice they catch...
Glad you caught your hen before she choked!

 

[tripletfeb]

I'm not cutting up mice they catch...
Glad you caught your hen before she choked!

I wouldn't either!

 

[User690263]

Would they be able to eat dried cranberries?

 

[FrostRanger]

Mine love cranberries and they do eat them whole

 

[nuthatched]

Would they be able to eat dried cranberries?

Too much sugar.

 

[tripletfeb]

Too much sugar.

They actually have no sugar added options. I buy them to add to my salads. But, OP, since you already bought the cranberries, dry them yourself. You could do it in a food dehydrator or your oven. Just google the time and temp

 

[nuthatched]

They actually have no sugar added options. I buy them to add to my salads. But, OP, since you already bought the cranberries, dry them yourself. You could do it in a food dehydrator or your oven. Just google the time and temp

Make sure to read the ingredients carefully since many no sugar options have another sweetener, and most are toxic to birds.