Have been eating a lot of cantaloupe and have been giving the girls the rinds and seeds. Best Answers. Can chickens eat cantaloupe? in Agriculture from Cal Poly in Pomona, CA where she studied genetics, nutrition and reproduction. I usually have the"snacks" in a samll plastic bag to carry them down to coop. Cantaloupes may not be the main dietary source of folate, but it is useful. They can eat the flesh, skin, seeds and plant. My girls thoroughly enjoy blueberries, watermelon 🍉 & cantaloupe 🍈 as regular snacks. Deficiency of vitamin A predisposes your chickens to diseases like roup and conjunctivitis. Chickens will eat the rind, the seeds, and the flesh of the cantaloupe. Best Answers. So, it can help these birds regulate their body temperatures. Yes, they can. 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. Cantaloupe is a great, versatile food for chickens. Cantaloupe has a fair amount of fiber; which supports the digestive system of chickens and a healthy, regular, digestive tract. It is essential for the development of strong bones in your chicken. read more. Yes, they can. Beta carotene may also keep your chicken healthy. [Is This Fruit Healthy Or Even Safe? Pecking at a pumpkin will keep them busy for hours, they can also eat the flesh too as it contains vitamins and minerals. Plums. I have a B.S. Chickens generally enjoy a range of different fruits, and many like cantaloupe, can provide a range of vitamins, minerals and nutrients to support their health. are all Cucurbita (a genus in the gourd family of Cucurbitaceae), and that the seeds of … Or give it … Grit. If you notice them beginning to rot, or changing color, then it is best to discard of them. Beets. Cantaloupes that are rotten or have mold should be thrown away. A variety of melon (Cucumis melo var. In short, chickens can definitely eat cantaloupe. But of course, each part does not taste the same or offer the same things. They improve the digestive health of the chickens. When given in the right quantity, cantaloupes are generally safe for your chickens. In chickens, fibers will do what fibers normally do. Parts of the avocado should not be eaten by chickens. Can chickens eat cantaloupe? There are a few other foods that should be avoided, too. So, let’s see what each part they eat has to offer. Nevertheless, with some washing in advance, you can reduce or minimize their exposure. A post shared by Bella, Daisy, Luna, & Ginger (@our.spoiled.chicks) on Jun 30, 2020 at 2:26pm PDT. So, what nutrients are present in cantaloupes, and how are they useful to your chickens? 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. You must, however, pay attention to the freshness and quantity of the cantaloupes you feed them. Can be bought at bait or pet-supply stores. Yes they can. Ultimately, it depends on where your cantaloupes have been sourced and your attitude towards exposing your birds to potentially harmful substances. Chickens are relatively picky about the health of the cantaloupe. link to Lavender Orpington Chicken Breed Profile, Parts of Cantaloupes That Can Be Eaten by Chickens, Dangers of Feeding Cantaloupes to Chickens, Can I Overfeed My Chicken With Cantaloupes, A post shared by Little By Little We Go (@littlebylittlewego), A post shared by Bella, Daisy, Luna, & Ginger (@our.spoiled.chicks), http://www.life-slice.com/foods-chickens-can-eat.html, https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/benefits-of-cantaloupe#how-to-choose-cantaloupe, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jpn.13375, https://thepoultrysite.com/articles/importance-of-vitamins-in-poultry-production, https://www.dsm.com/markets/anh/en_US/Compendium/poultry/folic_acid.html, https://backyardpoultry.iamcountryside.com/feed-health/calcium-supplements-for-chickens/, https://the-chicken-chick.com/chicken-treats-guide-dont-love-your/, https://animalhype.com/chickens/can-chickens-eat-cantaloupe/#How_much_cantaloupe_is_too_much_for_chickens, https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/chicken-treats/. The health benefits of fiber go beyond preventing constipation. Avocado. Candy, Caffeine, Chocolate, Anything Salty, Sugary or Moldy- These are bad for their digestive systems and can … Vitamin C also plays a very important role in healthy immune function and resistance to bacteria and infections. One thing with chickens is that they can eat various types of foods. It is essential to be sure that the cantaloupe is not super rotted. It comes as no surprise to learn that folate deficiency is common in these birds. Any longer than this and you risk bacteria developing which can cause illness in your birds. The flesh is the tastiest part of the cantaloupe, so it is not surprising that chickens love it. The only part that they cannot eat is the skin of the the cantaloupe. A second option is to dry the seeds or the rind and feed it to the chickens. If you own a flock of chickens, then you will naturally wonder what other kinds of foods that they can eat outside of their pelleted feed. Oxidative damage results in many health problems, and it accelerates the aging process. A lot of small agriculturalists feed their chickens cantaloupe rinds to eat and excess melon seeds that their family is not eating. Cantaloupe (also known as Muskmelon) is a safe addition to your chicken’s diet. Mar 10, 2020 - Can Chickens Eat Cantaloupe? Can chickens eat cantaloupe? They will eat different types of greens, fruits, and grains. With the high water content of the flesh, it makes for a very good chicken treat during hot periods. Most chickens are not picky eaters and will be thrilled if you offer them anything on this list. A post shared by Little By Little We Go (@littlebylittlewego) on Jul 20, 2020 at 7:38pm PDT. Cantaloupes, like many other treats, are best served in moderation and fed in a variety of different ways. 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). It is revered for its beauty,... Poultry birds have several different functions. When offering the chunks, you can either do so as a standalone treat or mix them into other foods, like their pelleted feed. As you can see, the list of foods that chickens can eat is pretty epic! Consider that some of the rind will be likely left and will need removing. Apples Raw and … Chickens should not eat anything mouldy. It is a treat for them to eat the left-over parts of the melon off of the rind. ]. It will change their poop color to red or purple, but nothing to worry about. For one, it plays a role in determining the color of the eggs, feathers, skin, beak, and comb. It is completely safe for them to eat, and it is extremely nutritious. In the absence of folate, your chickens will appear anemic, stunted, and have unappealing plumage. There’s no exact amount of cantaloupes to feed your chicken. Eggs and eggshells: Your cracked or old eggs can be cooked, chopped, and returned to your chickens. The outer rind can be tough for them to peck at, so it is not surprising that they avoid it. Providing treats in this way is an effective strategy and approach for keeping your birds interested in their food. Antioxidants are ant-inflammatory and serve the body in a number of ways (both in chickens and humans). They can eat the seeds but not the rinds. We will be running through the nutrients on offer, how to feed them and other great fruits you should consider. Potassium also improves water intake, and this helps when the environment is too hot for the chickens. Cantaloupe can be fed whole but eating is easier when you cut the cantaloupe into small chunks for your chickens. Vitamin C plays a key role in collagen synthesis; which is essential for these birds to support healthy joints, and the repair and maintencence of cells. Well, in cantaloupes, you will find the following nutrients: Beta carotene can help your chicken in many ways. Yes, you can give plums to your … This may leave them at risk of different infections. Meat – Don’t give chickens meat daily, but they can eat it every now and then. Cantaloupe Seeds: Yes. The rind (outer shell and layer) is of course the least appetizing, and is mostly fibrous. Nevertheless, its vital that chickens get enough of it as it plays a key role in blood formation, along with healthy growth of the body and of their feathers. The seeds can also be fed, and chickens are able to safely digest them. Due to the presence of gizzards in their stomach, they are suited for the digestion of whole seeds. Why Fall Decorations Are Natural Chicken Dewormers It turns out that squash, melons, pumpkins, gourds , etc. Chickens CAN EAT THESE FOODS. In fact, it is one of their favorite fruits. I spent some time researching the suitability of this food in the diet of chickens and will be sharing my findings here with you today. With all this being said; chickens should consume most of their food from their designated pelleted feed. AKA: Muskmelon. This means, alongside other treats, it should not exceed 5% of your chickens’ diet. Another option is to dice and cut the cantaloupe into chunks ahead of time. 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. The Cantaloupe is absolutely safe for consumption by the chickens. However, like with many other treats, you should feed cantaloupe to your chickens in moderation. If you do decide to refrigerate, consider that you should look to feed it to your birds within 1-2 days. Chicks who are only eating feed do not necessarily need additional grit. It’s one of my favorite foods to eat fresh. Yes, your chickens can eat cantaloupe seeds. in Agriculture from Cal Poly Pomona where I studied topics like farm animal reproduction, genetics, nutrition and more. But apart from feeding whole cantaloupe seeds to your chickens, you may also dry the seeds and grind them before you feed the chickens. In this article, we will be discussing cantaloupe as a treat for chickens. If you cannot seek out, nor afford, organic options, then you may want to not offer the rind at all. yes, chickens can eat melons of all sorts of kinds they love it. Although they can eat cooked chicken, you may feel strange giving it to them! But when your chickens are facing extreme stress, an external source of vitamin C will come good. If you want to offer the seeds, perhaps the best way to do so is to dry them first. Overfeeding them leaves your chicken at risk of diarrhea. However, like with many other treats, you should feed … It also plays a part in the growth of healthy feathers and the size of the chickens. Can Turkeys Eat Chicken Feed? Would you eat this tomato? Cantaloupe is rich in a number of antioxidants including beta carotene, flavonoids, and polyphenols. 0 0. Just be sure that you do not leave any uneaten melon out for too long as it can begin to rot. Cucumbers: Let mature for yummy seeds and flesh. Chickens will eat the rind, the seeds, and the flesh of the cantaloupe. Chickens are particularly … read more. And they love them all – watermelon, cantaloupe, any type really. It is easy to assume that most of such birds end up on the dinner table. In general, you can feed your chickens just about anything in moderation. Avocadoes (mainly the pit and peel) As with most of the things on this list, I was … In doing so, you make them much easier for your birds to consume. If you want to share it with your backyard feathered friends, you might wonder: can chickens eat watermelon? As a general rule of thumb, fruit (including cantaloupe) should make up a total of 5% of your birds total food intake. ; Citrus Fruit- Chickens may not be given any type of citrus. [Or Should They Eat Differently? You can give them raw or cooked. It is also necessary for the formation of strong and uniformly colored eggshells. You will be shocked to see how your chickens eat melons. Fiber is important, but only in appropriate amounts. Potassium will help ease the effect of high temperatures on your chicken. Cantaloupe is very safe for chickens to eat. There are many benefits in feeding cantaloupes; they offer a range of nutrients including Vitamins C and A and minerals such as Potassium and Calcium, and provide good amounts of fiber and antioxidants. It is also the juiciest part of the cantaloupe. You can offer it to your birds whole, which can turn the feeding into an enjoyable experience for your birds as they peck away. So, be sure to read to the end to get all the information you need! This is of course, the first step in offering this fruit: Before serving any cantaloupe to your birds, begin by washing and scrubbing the melon thoroughly. No. This is an effective way of managing portion sizes. Pet Educate strives to be the definitive online resource to help you learn everything that you need to know. Your chickens can safely eat most parts of a cantaloupe: the flesh, the seeds, and the rind. Eggs: Hard-cooked and scrambled are a good source of protein, and a favorite treat. Chickens can eat cantaloupes, in a variety of different ways, and they typically enjoy eating this type of melon. While I've currently downsized, I know how important it is to get information when you need it. Your birds may peck at it and eat as much as they desire. 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. Whether you offer this in small quantities each day, or a once per week treat is ultimately up to you. Cantaloupes are a very healthy treat for chickens. You can then either refrigerate and serve later, or offer them straight away. Pet Educate is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. One way is to divide the whole cantaloupe into halves, quarters, or eighths. You can mix the seeds into other foods, or even into their main pelleted feed for a nutritional boost. Chickens usually attempt to eat it but will only eat a small amount as it is generally filling. In fact, when you look at the nutritional breakdown of this melon, you notice that it is mostly water. They are very versatile, nutritious and widely available. To some, Lavender Orpington Chickens might appear grey, but they are actually lavender. Cantaloupe is very safe for chickens to eat. Chickens are more likely to suffer folate deficiency than most farm livestock. Will rind of cantaloupe hurt your chickens? The advantage of this is that it’s never hard to find a treat for your chickens. 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. Potassium is another integral mineral, playing a key role in a number of metabolic and cell functions. For those of you who scrolled down to the emboldened title for the answer to this question, Yes, chickens can eat cantaloupe. 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