Can chickens eat apples?

Part by part

• YesFleshSafe.
• YesPeelSafe.
• NoSeedsContain cyanogenic compounds released when crushed or chewed (UF/IFAS).
• NoCoreRemove to get rid of seeds.
• In moderationApplesaucePlain/unsweetened (Fresh Eggs Daily lists applesauce).

Why

UF/IFAS Extension says apple seeds (like fruit pits) release cyanide when crushed or chewed, but the flesh is safe. Merck notes seeds generally carry more cyanogenic potential than fruit flesh and that crushing/chewing drives toxicity. Fresh Eggs Daily notes the cyanide in seeds is a trace amount and says to skip seeds if in doubt.

Watch out for cyanogenic glycosides (seeds). If a bird may have eaten a lot of it and seems unwell, call a veterinarian who treats poultry.

How to serve apples

• Core and remove seeds
• Chop into small pieces

Be careful with

• Remove seeds and stems

The treat rules for every food

1. 1Scraps are not nutritionally balanced. Letting them displace complete feed can cause nutritional disorders and lower egg production; hens that fill up on treats can run short of calcium and draw it from their bones, weakening shells.
2. 2Never feed moldy, rotten or spoiled food. Molds can produce mycotoxins (e.g., aflatoxin on corn, peanuts, nuts, rice) that harm poultry, and University of Kentucky notes mycotoxins remain even if visible mold is removed. Rotting food can also be a source of Clostridium botulinum (botulism, 'limberneck'). Stale or wilted (not moldy) produce and bread are generally considered fine.
3. 3Avoid very salty, sugary, fatty, fried or heavily processed human food (chips, fast food, candy, heavily salted leftovers). Merck notes salt above about 2% of the diet is usually considered dangerous for poultry, that birds under 21 days old are more susceptible, and that restricted water access makes salt problems worse.
4. 4Provide insoluble grit (granite grit or small stones) whenever chickens eat whole grains, scratch, seeds or forage; birds that can reach the ground usually find their own. Oyster shell is a calcium source, not grit (it is too soft). Birds eating only a complete pelleted feed do not need grit.

All 10 rules · How much feed they need