You can give pineapple to chickens. But you should avoid the skin and seeds in it. At the same time, you should not give too much pineapple. This fruit should only be added to 10% of the daily diet of chickens.
The sweetness and nutrients (vitamins, minerals) in pineapple are good for the health of chickens. But if you give it in large quantities, it can cause problems like diarrhea or digestive issues. So, if you give it in moderation, pineapple is a good nutritious food.
In Short
- You can give pineapple.
- Skin, seeds should be avoided.
- Do not add more than 10% to the diet.
- If you give too much, it will cause digestive problems.
Nutritional Value of Pineapple
Main nutrients in pineapple (per 100g):
Vitamin C – 47.8 milligrams (mg)
- It helps boost the immune system of chickens.
- It is important for chickens to fight diseases and stay healthy.
Manganese – 0.927 milligrams (mg)
- It helps improve bone strength and egg quality.
- Manganese is a mineral needed for egg production.
Fiber – 1.4 grams (g)
- It regulates the digestion of chickens and provides physical health. It helps prevent constipation in chickens and promotes good intestinal health.
Bromelain – 0.1 grams (g)
- It is a unique metal complex. It helps break down proteins. It helps chickens absorb proteins better.
Overall, these nutrients in pineapple are helpful for the healthy growth of chickens, egg quality, digestion, and immunity. It is very beneficial if given in moderation.
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How to give Pineapple to Chickens
In what way? How to choose? How to prepare? How to serve pineapple to chickens is explained below:
Methods of Choosing Pineapple
- Choose a fully ripe fruit.
- Avoid green pineapple. Because it has high acidity.
- High acidity can cause problems for the digestion of chickens.
- It is better to choose organic pineapple, which is a pineapple grown without the use of pesticides. This is safe for the health of chickens
Method of Preparing Pineapple
- The skin should be completely removed! The hard skin of pineapple and the pit-like structure on the top of these can cause discomfort to chickens when eaten. Therefore, it is necessary to remove them.
- Cut into small pieces! If you cut them into bite-sized pieces, the chickens will easily chew them.
- Remove brown and rotten parts! Rotten parts or parts affected by fungus can be harmful to the chickens.
Therefore, it is necessary to remove those parts.
Serving Methods
- Freshly cut pineapple pieces can be fed directly to chickens or mixed with their daily food.
- Pineapple can be dried well in the sun and then stored in an airtight container and fed as needed.
- Pineapple can be mixed with other fruits or vegetables.
This will make it easier to digest.
Benefits of Pineapple
Increases Egg Production
Pineapple is rich in vitamin C and vitamin B6. These two vitamins have a direct impact on egg quality and reproductive health, helping to increase egg production.
Prevention of Stomach Ulcers (Crop Inflammation)
The natural enzyme Bromelain in pineapple helps to maintain the acidity in the stomach of chickens. This helps to reduce problems such as digestive disorders and crop inflammation in chickens.
Liver Health
Manganese in pineapple helps the liver function properly. If the liver is healthy, the body will be healthy and grow properly.
Heat Stress Reduction
Pineapple is 86% water. This high water content pineapple acts as a cooling food to help chickens escape from high heat and adjust the water level in their body. This helps chickens cope with the heat.
Dangers and things to avoid
High acidity
Pineapple is high in natural acidity. If pineapple is given in large quantities frequently, it can cause digestive problems in the chickens’ stomach. This can cause irritation and illness.
Sugar content
Pineapple contains about 10 grams of sugar per 100 grams. This sugar content is too much for chickens. If given in large quantities, chickens may become overweight and develop health problems due to obesity.
Peel and Core
The outer skin and hard core of pineapple are very hard for chickens to digest. This can cause blockage or digestive upset.
Canned Pineapple
It contains syrup and preservatives. These can be harmful to chickens. If given in excess, it can act as a poison.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can you feed pineapple to chicks?
- No! Chicks have delicate digestion up to 8 weeks. The acid in pineapple can be harmful.
Are pineapple leaves safe for chickens?
- No! The leaves have sharp thorns. Therefore, it should not be fed.
How often can you feed pineapple?
- 2-3 times a week, 20g (2-3 pieces) can be fed to a chicken.
Fruits that are safe for chickens and those that should be avoided
Including fruits in chickens’ diet can provide additional nutrients for their health. However, not all fruits are safe for chickens. Some fruits can be given in moderation. Some fruits should be avoided altogether.
- For example, papaya is good for chickens. But it is necessary to remove the seeds. You can give papaya up to a maximum of 30 grams per day. Similarly, bananas are safe. But the skin should not be given. Bananas can be given up to 50 grams.
- Watermelon is also a suitable fruit for chickens. Even its seeds do not cause much harm. But it is better to give only 40 grams per day.
- On the other hand, grapes should not be given to chickens. Some chemicals in grapes can be poisonous to chickens.
Before giving fruits to chickens, it is very important to know about their safety, benefits, and quantity. This way, you can protect the health of the chickens and create an environment conducive to egg production.
Expert Tips
Dr. Jennifer Godright (Poultry Nutritionist) said:
Rather than feeding pineapple to chickens alone, mixing it with cabbage waste or green vegetables will improve the digestion of chickens. This helps balance the acidity of pineapple. It also helps chickens get various nutrients.
USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) study:
An important enzyme found in pineapple is bromelain. It helps chickens break down the protein in their diet and increase the rate of absorption by the body by up to 15%. This means that chickens will benefit more from the protein in their diet. This will directly support their growth and egg quality.