The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Pomona on August 14, 2009, 08:08:08 am

Title: Can hens eat apples?
Post by: Pomona on August 14, 2009, 08:08:08 am: I've got some apple trees and at this time of year there's always a lot of natural drop, though the apples aren't really ready for eating until end September. Can the hens eat the windfall apples or would they be too acidic for them? :-\
Title: Re: Can hens eat apples?
Post by: sheila on August 14, 2009, 09:16:09 am: My hens never touch them even though the blackbirds love them
Title: Re: Can hens eat apples?
Post by: JulieS on August 14, 2009, 10:35:56 am: Mine enjoy apples....Not sure if this is usual, but they love them.
Title: Re: Can hens eat apples?
Post by: carl on August 14, 2009, 10:50:12 am: mine mostly love apples, and will peck at any fruit which is within range. currants, berries and plums etc.
the acidic nature of apples will help cleanse their gut.
Title: Re: Can hens eat apples?
Post by: doganjo on August 14, 2009, 11:11:07 am: Mine do too
Title: Re: Can hens eat apples?
Post by: becca1401 on August 14, 2009, 12:24:49 pm: All my chickens eat apples and one of them has taken to high jump to reach my raspberries but none of them have touched the pears!
Title: Re: Can hens eat apples?
Post by: sandy on August 14, 2009, 09:47:49 pm: I bought some all in one poultry food and they do not seem to be eating it all so I be they will eat apples now, originaly my 3 Black ROcks were very fussy and left a lot of food, now I have 15 they usualy eat everything so it is strange, may have to get some more layers mash!!!!. My apple trees are very young and the fruit is high up, I wounder if they will start jumping up as well and my 5 new Black Rocks roost in a Rowan tree!!!! Better NOT steal our apples!!
Title: Re: Can hens eat apples?
Post by: Rosemary on August 15, 2009, 02:18:13 pm: Our hens eat windfalls and any on the tree low enough for them to reach.
Title: Re: Can hens eat apples?
Post by: bibs on August 20, 2009, 12:37:10 pm: Mine love apples and most fruit. Bibs :chook: :chook: :chook: :chook:
Title: Re: Can hens eat apples?
Post by: Kier on August 22, 2009, 07:12:36 pm: yeh my chickens love apples usually cut one in half an chuck it out onto the garden,they soon grab it an run off with it with the other chickens in pursuit
Title: Re: Can hens eat apples?
Post by: Townie on August 23, 2009, 01:23:13 pm: I feed my chickens apples and they love them :)
Title: Re: Can hens eat apples?
Post by: sabrina on August 24, 2009, 04:15:00 pm: Mine get some apple now and again and they love them :chook:
Title: Re: Can hens eat apples?
Post by: Wellieboots on August 24, 2009, 04:19:55 pm: just fed a couple of apples to my feral chooks!