Can chickens eat kiwi fruits?
Yes, chickens can eat kiwis because these juicy fruits are non-toxic to birds and are full of essential nutrients.
However, you should keep a few things in mind before giving chickens kiwi, or you can upset your chick’s nutritional balance.
So, keep reading to learn more about kiwi’s health benefits and how to add it to your chickens’ diet.
Table of Contents
Quick Summary
- Kiwi is a suitable occasional treat for chickens because of its high vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant content.
- Kiwi, kiwi skin, and seeds are great for your flock’s immune system, digestive health, and egg production.
- But excess kiwi consumption can lead to health problems and disturb your chicken’s nutritional balance.
Are Kiwis Safe For Chickens?
People regard kiwi fruits as a superfood because of their high vitamins and mineral content. And many love their sweet and sour taste, using kiwi in salads and smoothies.
Kiwi is also packed with essential nutrients with numerous health benefits. But is this nutritious fruit safe for chickens?
Fortunately, kiwi doesn’t contain chemicals or substances harmful to your flock’s health. And chickens are omnivorous animals, so they’ll eat almost any fruit you give them, including kiwi. Just check this video.
More importantly, kiwi contains a lot of nutrients essential for keeping your chickens healthy and thriving. And most chickens love pecking the soft flesh of kiwis.
But is the entire fruit safe for chickens? Can chicken eat the skin or seeds? Let’s find out!
Can Chickens Eat Kiwi Skin?
While most chicken keepers feed their flocks with the fruit’s soft flesh, the kiwi skin is also a healthy treat for birds.
According to Healthline, kiwi skin contains plenty of vitamin C, vitamin E, dietary fiber, and folate. And all these nutrients are essential for your chicken’s health and optimum egg production. (1)
However, the tough skin can be hard for chickens to peck. So, cut the tough skin into small pieces to make it easier for your chickens to eat.
Before giving kiwi skins to the chickens, remember to wash them well to remove the trichomes (the fuzzy part). Sometimes, the fuzzy trichomes can irritate the throats if the chickens overeat kiwi skin.
Can Chickens Eat Kiwi Seeds?
Kiwis have tiny black seeds inside. These seeds are edible and safe for chickens, unlike apple seeds and fruit pits (they contain trace amounts of cyanide).
And kiwi seeds are beneficial for chickens because they contain omega-3 fatty acids and contain a small amount of fiber, antioxidants, and protein.
Moreover, kiwi seeds don’t pose a huge choking hazard, but you still should keep an eye on your chicks to ensure they don’t swallow too much at once.
And now, let’s talk in detail about the health benefits of kiwis and why they are excellent treats for chickens when you feed them in moderation.
Health Benefits of Kiwi Fruit for Chickens
Smaller than an apple and an orange, the kiwi is packed with an impressive amount of nutrients for its size. You can give the chickens a nutritional boost by feeding them kiwi fruit.
#1 Healthy Digestive System
Kiwi fruit contains an enzyme known as actinidain, which aids digestion. And kiwi has plenty of fiber, perfect for preventing constipation.
#2 Potent Antioxidant Properties
Kiwi is an excellent source of vitamin C, which is vital for a healthy immune system because of its anti-inflammatory properties.
Vitamin C also eliminates free radicals and oxidative stress to prevent cell damage and boost the immune system.
#3 A Great Source of Vitamins And Minerals
Kiwi fruit contains plenty of beneficial vitamins besides vitamin C. It’s a good source of vitamin K, vital for blood clotting and healthy bones, while vitamin E is an excellent antioxidant.
Moreover, kiwis contain potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium – all necessary for optimum chicken health.
#4 Improves Hydration
Kiwis have over 80% water content, which makes them a great snack for chickens during hot summer days.
Keeping chickens hydrated is vital for avoiding common health issues and maintaining normal egg production in egg-laying hens.
#5 Source of Protein
Chicks need plenty of protein for proper bone health, egg production, and immunity. And while commercial feeds are rich in protein, you can add kiwi to your bird’s diet as a supplement.
But what are the dangers of feeding kiwis to chickens? Let’s find out!
3 Dangers of Feeding Chickens Kiwis
While birds enjoy variety in their diet, you should feed your flock of chickens kiwis in moderation. And here are three reasons why.
#1 High Sugar Content
While kiwi is a healthy food for chickens, it contains sugar, and too much of this tasty fruit can raise your chicks’ blood sugar levels and lead to obesity, high blood pressure, etc.
#2 Imbalanced Nutrition
Kiwis contain lots of nutrients but don’t provide everything your flock needs to thrive. And if your chicken’s diet isn’t well-balanced, they will get sick.
As specialists from Purina advise, “Be sure to follow the 90/10 rule – offer 90% complete feed to a maximum of 10% treats each day.” (2)
#3 Easy to Spoil
Chickens are omnivorous animals, but they’re easy to spoil. And if you feed them excessive amounts of fresh fruits and other treats, they won’t eat their feed and will get stomach aches.
So, how should you feed kiwis to chickens to avoid these dangers? Easy. Just keep reading.
Looking to add some variety to your chickens’ diet? Our articles on “Can Chickens Eat Honeycomb“, “Can Chickens Have Raspberries“, and “Can Chickens Have Blueberries” provide valuable insights and advice on feeding these foods to your feathered friends.
How To Feed Kiwi Fruit To Chickens
Chickens will eat almost anything you give them, so you won’t have many problems feeding them kiwis or other fruits and veggies. However, keep these tips in mind:
- Opt for fresh, organic kiwis. Avoid moldy fruits because they can make your flock sick.
- Ripe kiwis are better for chickens than unripe ones. Unripe kiwis are too sour and can cause stomach problems.
- Wash the kiwi well to get rid of pesticides and other possible contaminations.
- Cut the kiwi fruit in half and then chop it into smaller pieces. Place the pieces in the feeder.
- Alternatively, you can scoop the flesh and feed it to the chicken. Cut the fruit in half, scoop out the flesh, and feed it to the chickens.
- You can also cut the kiwi fruit open, scoop out the flesh and mash it with chicken feeds.
Don’t forget to provide fresh water and watch for side effects like diarrhea. And many kiwis are too many for chickens? You’d be surprised.
How Much And How Often To Feed Kiwi Fruit To Chickens
Feeding kiwi fruit once or twice weekly is enough for your chickens to reap the health benefits and avoid the risk. At each feeding, one kiwi fruit for every five chickens is recommended.
Besides, you’ll want to include other fruits and veggies in your chicken’s daily diet to keep the flock healthy and thriving.
FAQs
1. Which Fruits Are Toxic to Chickens?
Avocados, plants from the nightshade family, and fruit pits are toxic to chickens.
2. Can a Kiwi Break Down Protein?
Kiwi contains actinidin, which breaks down protein and helps digestion.
3. Can Chickens Eat Golden Kiwi?
Chicken can eat golden kiwis. However, golden kiwis are sweeter than green ones, which can contribute to high blood sugar levels and weight gain.
Conclusion
Can chickens eat kiwi fruit? Chickens can enjoy kiwis as an occasional treat because this fruit is rich in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. It’s also low in fat and high in fiber.
However, you should be careful not to overfeed your chickens, or they can start having problems with egg production. And avoid feeding baby chick kiwis since babies have delicate digestion.
What do you think about this topic? Do you give kiwis to your flock? Share your experience in the comment section.
Resources:
1. Can You Eat Kiwi Skin? [Internet]. Healthline. 2018 [cited 2023 Jan 17]. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/eating-kiwi-skin
2. Biggs P. What Can Chickens Eat Chicken Treats to Feed and Avoid [Internet]. Purina Animal Nutrition. Available from: https://www.purinamills.com/chicken-feed/education/detail/what-to-feed-chickens-chicken-treats-to-feed-and-avoid
My name is Ben Roberts, and I absolutely love animals. So, naturally, I love writing about them too! As far as my animals, I have a Pit-bull, a Beagle-lab mix, a Chihuahua, and one old cat. Each one of them provides me with a new adventure every day. And the best part is they’re all best friends. Well, except the cat when he gets a little annoyed.
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