If you have a chicken, then you know that chickens love to eat anything and everything.
It’s true! Chickens are omnivores which means they will eat just about anything. But what happens when your child comes home from the ice cream truck with a cone?
You might be tempted to give it to your chicken after all, but think again because there are some important reasons why this isn’t a good idea!
You see, chickens don’t digest dairy well.
Dairy is very high in lactose and can cause diarrhea or other digestive issues for your bird.
When eating ice cream as part of their regular diet (yes, this includes sprinkles!), it can lead them towards obesity as well as heart disease and diabetes because of the sugar content.
In addition, ice cream can also contain harmful bacteria that your chicken could get sick from.
So if you’re looking for a treat to give your chicken, maybe try something a little healthier like a piece of fruit or some cooked grains.
Your bird will thank you for it!
Can chickens eat dairy?
No, chickens cannot digest dairy well. Dairy is high in lactose and can cause diarrhea or other digestive issues for your bird.
So if you’re looking for a treat to give your chicken, maybe try something a little healthier like a piece of fruit or some cooked grains. Your bird will thank you for it!
What should you not feed chickens?
Humans foods to avoid feeding chickens:
– Ice cream
– Chocolate
– Any dairy products, such as milk or cheese
– Beans and other legumes (peanuts, soybeans)
– Onions, garlic & chives
-avocado pits and skins
Other human foods that are high in fat and protein should be fed only in moderation. These include most meats and all types of bread or grains that aren’t fully cooked.
A treat of a few grains of rice is fine every once in a while; however, large quantities should not be fed to chickens at one time.
What chickens can eat?
Here’s a list of safe foods that chickens can eat:
– Whole grains such as oats, barley, and rice
– Vegetables such as kale, mustard greens, turnip greens, and carrots
– Cooked potatoes (no more than 1/2 per bird)
– Fruits such as apples and bananas (full of vitamins & antioxidants) give sparingly. Be wary of pits and seeds!
*A healthy treat for your chicken is a fruit or cooked grains. Some pets enjoy an occasional ice cube or two. Chickens cannot digest dairy well; it is high in lactose and can cause diarrhea or other digestive issues for your bird.
Final word: can chickens eat ice cream?
No, chickens should not eat ice cream. Ice cream is high in dairy which chickens cannot digest well, and it also contains harmful bacteria.
Stick to giving your chicken a healthy treat like a piece of fruit or some cooked grains instead! I hope that was helpful!