I feel a little weird about writing this post. I mean, it seems a little strange to me that I would feed my poultry some other poultry. But after reading a lot about it, I decided I might as well feed my omnivorous chickens the leftover turkey. Additionally, it appears that they enjoy it, which is positive in my opinion. Since we don’t eat a lot of meat in this house, I am all for using as much of an animal as possible. Throwing bones and extra meat to the chickens to pick at seemed like a good idea.
And I have to be honest, we have given our chickens leftover scrambled eggs. Although I appreciate that the chickens consume all of our vegetable scraps, having them consume other foods that we would normally throw in the trash is a bonus that comes with having chickens. I like to know that they are eating well. Organic veggie scraps, and now turkey, are all great foods for them.
The fact that the chickens are omnivores is something a lot of people don’t realize. When I used to buy eggs at the store before we had chickens, I used to get a little worried when I saw on the cartons of organic eggs that the chickens were only fed vegetarian food. It seems so strange. I can see that there have been problems in the past with ingredients in chicken feed that no living thing should genuinely eat, but rather than making corrections to commercial feed, it appears they have developed a substitute that is most likely not good for the animals either.
Do you feed your hens leftovers? Have you given them the leftover turkey once you’ve all eaten it? Do other people’s hens love scrambled eggs as much as mine do?
Gobble it up! Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and of course, feasting. But what about all those delicious leftovers? Can your feathered friends get in on the action? The answer is yes, chickens can eat leftover turkey, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
First, remove the bones. Turkey bones can splinter and pose a choking hazard to chickens. So, be sure to remove all the bones before offering any turkey to your flock.
Second avoid giving your chickens too much skin. Turkey skin is high in fat, which can be unhealthy for chickens. A little bit of skin is okay, but don’t go overboard.
Third, make sure the turkey is cooked thoroughly. Raw or undercooked turkey can contain harmful bacteria that can make your chickens sick.
Finally, don’t give your chickens too much turkey at once. Turkey is a rich food, and too much of it can upset your chickens’ stomachs
Here are some additional tips for feeding your chickens leftover turkey:
- Cut the turkey into small pieces. This will make it easier for your chickens to eat.
- Mix the turkey with their regular feed. This will help them digest the turkey more easily.
- Offer the turkey as a treat. Don’t make it a regular part of their diet.
In addition to turkey, there are many other Thanksgiving leftovers that your chickens can enjoy. Here are a few ideas:
- Cranberry sauce: As long as it doesn’t contain artificial sweeteners, cranberry sauce is a healthy and delicious treat for chickens.
- Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamins and minerals for chickens. Just be sure to remove the marshmallows from any sweet potato casserole before feeding it to your flock.
- Green beans: Green beans are another healthy option for chickens. Just be sure to rinse them off to remove any excess salt.
- Pumpkin pie: In moderation, pumpkin pie is a safe and tasty treat for chickens. Just be sure to remove the crust first.
By following these tips, you can safely share your Thanksgiving feast with your chickens. They’ll be sure to gobble it up!
Happy Thanksgiving!
P.S. If you’re looking for more information on feeding your chickens, be sure to check out our other articles on the topic. We have a wealth of information on everything from what to feed your chickens to how to keep them healthy.
P.P.S. We also have a great selection of chicken feed and supplies available in our online store. Be sure to check it out!
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