Are you wondering, “Can chickens eat mango?”
I was surprised to learn that chickens can eat mangos because mangos have fantastic health benefits and nutritional content.
So, today I’ll tell you everything you need to know about chickens and how to include mangos in their diet.
Just keep reading.
Table of Contents
Quick Summary
- Mango is not-toxic to chickens and has a lot of health benefits because of its high vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant content.
- Chickens are omnivores and can eat all parts of the mango, including the pits, skin, and leaves. But not in large quantities.
- Avoid overfeeding chickens with mango because too much sugar and calories are bad for birds.
Is Mango Safe for Chickens?
Mango is one of the most popular fruits worldwide because of its sweet taste when it’s ripe and its high vitamin and mineral content.
It’s an excellent healthy treat for humans, but what about chickens? Most chickens will go crazy for a tasty fruit like mango and eat it before you know it. At least mine do it.
And that’s not a big surprise because chickens will eat just about anything you give them, including dangerous or toxic things. They’re omnivore animals.
So, you shouldn’t ask, “Can chickens eat mango?” Instead, the important question is, “Should chickens eat mango?”
Fortunately, mangos don’t contain any toxins or chemicals that can harm your chickens. And mangos are tasty and full of nutrients, beneficial for chicks—more about the health benefits in a bit.
But it would be best if you fed chickens ripe mangoes as they are soft enough for your hen’s digestive system beaks. Avoid unripe mangoes as they are harsh and too sour to eat.
And as specialists from Purina explain, “To prevent nutrient dilution, provide a complete feed for at least 90 percent of the bird’s diet.” The other 10% can be suitable treats, table scraps, fruits, or veggies. (1)
So, let’s see what makes mango a suitable fruit to include in your feathered friends’ diet.
Health Benefits of Mango for Chickens
Mango is one of those fruits packed with vitamins and minerals, making it an excellent healthy snack for chickens.
But more importantly, mango is packed with antioxidants, one of the few fruits with more than a dozen different types of it.
According to Healthline, one cup (165 grams) of sliced mango provides (2) :
- Calories: 99
- Protein: 1.4 grams
- Carbs: 24.7 grams
- Fat: 0.6 grams
- Dietary fiber: 2.6 grams
- Vitamin C: 67% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI)
- Copper: 20% of the RDI
- Folate: 18% of the RDI
- Vitamin B6: 11.6% of the RDI
- Vitamin A: 10% of the RDI
- Vitamin E: 9.7% of the RDI
- Vitamin B5: 6.5% of the RDI
- Vitamin K: 6% of the RDI
- Niacin: 7% of the RDI
- Potassium: 6% of the RDI
- Riboflavin: 5% of the RDI
- Manganese: 4.5% of the RDI
- Thiamine: 4% of the RDI
- Magnesium: 4% of the RDI
But what makes these vitamins so crucial for your chicken’s health? Let’s see:
1. Vitamin A
It helps the heart, lungs, kidneys, and other organs to work properly.
2. Vitamin B6
It promotes healthy blood vessels and eye health. It also keeps the nervous system and the immune system healthy.
3. Vitamin C
It’s vital for forming collagen, absorption of iron, the immune system, wound healing and maintaining cartilage, bones, and teeth.
4. Vitamin E
It supports the immune system and helps cell regeneration.
5. Vitamin K
It promotes bone health and wound healing.
6. Potassium
It helps regulate fluid balance, muscle contractions, and nerve signals.
7. Magnesium
It promotes heart health, muscle function, and bone strength. Magnesium and potassium also can lower blood pressure.
Chickens also need plenty of fiber in their diet to maintain the digestive system. And mangos are a good source of fiber.
However, are there any drawbacks to feeding chickens mangos? You’d be surprised!
What’s the Drawback To Feeding Chickens Mangoes?
Ripe mangos are sweet because they contain a lot of sugar. And as you can see from the statistic above, one cup of sliced mango has 99 calories and 46.5 carbohydrates.
When a person eats too many mangoes, it will lead to a spike in blood sugar levels. The same can happen when you give chickens too much of this sweet fruit.
The extra calories and high sugar content can also contribute to weight gain, especially if your chicken doesn’t have enough space to wander and exercise.
Moreover, it’s rare but possible for chickens to have an allergic reaction to mango and mango peels. And as not all parts of the mangos make a good treat for birds.
So, let’s see if you should give your feathered friend mango skin, pits, or leaves.
Looking for more information on what to feed your chickens? Our articles “Can Chickens Eat Black Walnuts?”, “Is Coconut Oil Safe for Chickens?”, and “Can Chickens Have Jackfruit?” are must-reads for every chicken owner. Packed with valuable insights and tips, these articles will help you make informed decisions about your chickens’ diet and nutrition.
Can Chickens Eat Mango Skin?
Chickens can eat mango skin because it contains the same nutrients as the flesh and is an excellent source of antioxidants and vitamins.
However, it’s not a good idea to feed mango peels to chickens because of the following concerns:
- Store-bough mangoes are often treated with pesticides and other chemicals to keep them fresh. And these pesticides can be toxic to animals.
- Fresh mangoes have thick skin, so it will be tough for chickens to eat it, and they can choke on larger pieces.
- Mango peels are a bit bitter, so the unpleasant taste can put the chickens off.
- Peels contain urushiol, a chemical that causes an allergic reaction in people.
To avoid problems:
- Opt for an organic mango or wash it well to remove pesticide residue.
- Cut or dice the mango into smaller pieces, making it easier for birds to eat and digest them.
- Observe your chicken for digestive problems.
Can Chickens Eat Mango Pits?
Chickens can eat mango pits, but ripe pits are tough to break. So, it’s better to avoid them because they’re a choking hazard.
Unripe mango has a soft pit that you can feed to the chickens. However, the pit has a slightly bitter taste, so it’s normal for chickens to avoid it.
If you want to feed the mango pits to the chicken, cut them into small pieces or dice them. Then sprinkle the pieces of pits all over the chicken feeds.
Mango pits from unripe mango have antioxidant properties and can benefit the digestive health, heart, and nervous system.
However, mango pits contain trace amounts of urushiol, which can cause an allergic reaction in some people. So, you have to be careful how to handle it.
And pits also have a small amount of cyanide in them. So, it’s not a good idea to overfeed your chicken, or they can get ill.
But what about leaves? Should you give your chicken leaves from your mango tree?
Can Chickens Eat Mango Leaves?
The mango leaves have a lot of nutrition that chickens can benefit from. But it would be best if you were careful when touching the leaves because they contain urushiol – a chemical that can cause allergic reactions.
Urushiol is also found in poison ivy and poison oak. The chemical starts coming out when the leaves are picked or cut.
The consensus is that chickens can eat poison ivy or leaves that contain urushiol. They won’t suffer any of the usual allergic reactions. But it would be best if you still gave it as an occasional treat.
Can Chickens Eat Dried Mango?
Chickens can eat dried mango. But as the mango dries, it loses its water content, leaving behind a high concentration of natural sugar.
All this extra sugar can cause weight gain in chicken and a drop in egg production. Moreover, mango loses a lot of its nutritional benefits when it dries.
So, I avoid giving dried mango to my birds, even though they go crazy for it. And is there any secret to making your chickens eat mango? Let’s find out!
How To Feed Mango To Chickens
Chickens will eat just about anything that’s given to them, so it shouldn’t be an issue feeding mangoes to them. Just follow my tips, and you’ll be fine:
- Pick a fresh ripe mango and wash it well to remove any traces of pesticides or chemicals, especially if you’re feeding the skin.
- Then peel the mango and cut the flesh into chunks. Place the pieces on the ground, and the chickens will start pecking at them.
- You could also mix mangoes with other fruits, such as apples, okra, and pears. This will ensure your chickens get all their required diet requirements.
- Don’t force your chickens to eat mangoes if they aren’t interested in this tropical fruit. You can choose another healthy snack to spoil your feathered friend.
And as you can see from this video, chickens eat mango even when you don’t cut them into pieces.
But how often can you include mango in your chicken’s diet? Keep reading to find the answer.
How Much And How Often To Feed Mango To Chickens?
A well-balanced diet should contain 90% chicken feed and 10% treats, such as fruits, vegetables, or table scraps.
So, due to their high sugar and water content, mangoes should be given to the chickens as an occasional treat – two-three times per week. I usually give it twice a week.
Overfeeding mangoes could lead to weight gain, digestive problems, and other health issues. To avoid side effects, introduce this juicy fruit slowly to your chickens.
FAQs
What Fruits Are Toxic to Chickens?
Avocados, apple seeds, and any plant from the nightshade family are toxic to chickens. Overfeeding citrus fruits can also result in a drop in egg production.
Can Chickens Eat Overripe Mango?
Chickens can eat overripe mango, but fresh ones are better. And never give moldy mango to your chicken since it can make them sick.
What Is the Healthiest Fruit for Chickens?
Strawberries, apples (without the seeds!), watermelon, and blueberries are one of the healthiest fruits for chickens.
Conclusion
Can chickens eat mango? You can give your birds pieces of mango from time to time as long as it’s fresh and cut into small chunks.
However, you should watch your chickens for adverse reactions to mango, such as diarrhea or changes in behavior. And talk to your vet if mangos are suitable for your chickens if they have any chronic conditions.
What do you think about this topic? Can chickens eat mango? Share your experience in the comment section.
Resources:
- 1. 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
- 2. Raman R. Mango: Nutrition, Health Benefits and How to Eat It [Internet]. Healthline. 2018. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mango
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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