Can Chickens Eat Figs? – The Blissful Hen Coop

Chickens aren’t choosy. They’d eat virtually something they might peck on the bottom.

But when a fig by chance lands the place they forage, do you have to allow them to eat it?

We all know that figs are candy and are excellent so as to add to muffins, pies, salads, or be eaten as is.

I don’t find out about you, however me? I like them!

The query, nonetheless, is can our chickens eat figs?

Is it protected for them to devour or not? Which a part of the fig can chickens safely eat, then?

Let’s discover out!

Can Chickens Eat Figs?

You don’t have to fret when your chickens by chance get their fingers (or beaks, reasonably!) on a fig as a result of, sure, chickens can positively eat them.

These unique treats are full of nutritional vitamins and minerals {that a} rooster would profit from.

And since they’re candy, you gained’t even must force-feed them to your flock—they certain would gobble these up all by themselves!

Nevertheless, not all elements of the fig are protected for them to devour.

Sure bits and elements might be poisonous or irritating for our chickens.

However we’ll get on to that in a bit!

Within the meantime, let’s evaluate first the dietary advantage of figs and the way they do in supplying the dietary wants of our feathered mates.

Dietary Good thing about Figs

Let’s take a fast have a look at what 100 grams of figs would provide when it comes to vitamins, as reported by the USDA FoodData Central.

Vitamins Present in a 100-gram Fig

As you’ll be able to see, figs have a excessive water content material which helps hold your chickens hydrated, particularly in scorching climate.

It additionally comprises a great quantity of carbohydrates, which truly make up the largest part of the poultry food plan.

Figs even have a good quantity of fiber and calcium, each crucial for his or her digestive system and for egg manufacturing.

And sure, they include protein, too, which is crucial for the expansion and improvement of our chickens.

Nevertheless, have a look at how a lot sugar a 100-gram fig has.

Whereas it’s nonetheless pure sugar (which is nice), it’s value noting that chickens don’t want an excessive amount of sugar of their food plan.

Sugar, when not given sparsely, can result in a number of well being points, so be certain to watch your flock’s consumption.

However sufficient sugar, then again, can assist give them the energy and, subsequently, the power they should burn all through the day.

Dietary Wants of Chickens

Now let’s check out how a lot of those vitamins chickens truly require to be wholesome.

The desk under solely exhibits a fraction of what chickens want of their food plan.

Dietary Necessities of a Hen

supply: College of Missouri & College of Georgia

*For full details about the nutrient necessities of poultry, learn immediately from the sources linked above!

Now, on to the extra urgent concern—which elements of figs can a rooster safely eat, and which of them to keep away from?

Let’s discover out!

Can Chickens Eat Dried Figs?

Sure, you’ll be able to feed your chickens dried figs, however there are a few issues to bear in mind.

You need to be sure that they don’t have any preservatives or components in any respect!

One advantage of retaining dried figs in your pantry is that they positively last more than contemporary ones.

You’ll be able to simply bust one out from the jar and feed it to your chickens as treats.

Nevertheless, take be aware that dried figs have extra concentrated sugar and energy by weight, so simply give it to your flock sparingly.

Can Chickens Eat Cooked Figs?

Positive! In the event you occur to have left-over cooked figs out of your lunch or afternoon tea, you’ll be able to safely feed them to your chickens with out guilt.

However it’s value mentioning that cooking figs and all different fruit and veggies truly reduces their dietary worth.

Can Chickens Eat Fig Pores and skin and Seeds?

Sure, you’ll be able to allow them to peck on the fig pores and skin and seeds with no fear.

There’s not a lot data on whether or not these truly add as much as the general dietary worth of figs.

What we all know, nonetheless, is there are a whole lot of fig seed byproduct available in the market that claims they’re full of Vitamine E and antioxidants which helps hold our pores and skin wholesome.

Each pores and skin and seeds don’t trigger any hurt, anyway, so you’ll be able to nonetheless safely let your chickens feed on the entire fruit itself.

Can Chickens Eat Outdated Figs?

Effectively, that will depend on what you imply by “outdated.”

You’ll be able to feed an overripe fig to chickens, alright. That’s in the event that they’re going to come back close to it!

Based mostly on expertise, my chickens would flip their noses (or beaks!) away from overripe figs as a result of these are inclined to have a bitter style.

However the backside line is, sure, it’s nonetheless protected for our feathered mates to eat them.

Nevertheless, if “outdated” means moldy or expired, then the reply isn’t any.

Moldy meals, even at no matter degree of moldiness they appear to be, shouldn’t be fed to chickens.

However why, you ask? We eat moldy meals ourselves, anyway! Cheese anybody? 

Consuming moldy meals in chickens can result in digestive points, a weakened immune system, and decreased egg manufacturing, to call a couple of negative effects.

You might also see them lose their urge for food, grow to be torpid, and show uncommon habits, amongst different signs.

So, , simply… don’t threat it.

Can Chickens Eat Fig Leaves?

Now, that is the place we draw the road as to which elements of the figs are protected for chickens to devour.

Fig leaves are poisonous to virtually all animals that will occur upon it, and sure, that features chickens.

These broad, 3 to 5-lobe leaves include ficain, an enzyme that may trigger irritation to their throats and crops, particularly when ingested.

Actually, the bark of the fig tree itself comprises this as properly.

The chickens who by chance ingest even only a small ficain may vomit or get diarrhea.

However sufficient quantity of it might additionally result in organ failure and, worst, demise.

Positive, we people can eat fig leaves with correct preparation.

However keep in mind, animals are wired in another way, so higher to simply depart the leaves be with regards to feeding them.

Can Chickens Eat Fig Stem?

Stems are technically fit for human consumption, however they’re too fibrous, which makes chewing and digesting them laborious work.

So if you happen to gained’t eat it, I’d say higher to not give them to your chickens, too.

Can Chickens Eat Unripe Figs?

Inexperienced figs can be eaten as a result of they don’t include any dangerous chemical substances that might harm most cattle.

Nevertheless, they might nonetheless include a small quantity of ficain, which might be irritating to the throat and abdomen, so it’s best to nonetheless give this with warning.

Feed Hen Figs?

Personally, I simply minimize the ripe figs in half and let my chickens peck on them on the bottom.

However I warn you; this might be actually messy, so be certain to scrub up afterward to forestall flies and different bugs from hanging out the place your flock forages.

So if you wish to keep away from the mess, you’ll be able to take additional steps, like putting it in a bowl or hanging the fig from someplace the place they will nonetheless attain it.

FAQs about Chickens and Figs

Can chickens eat Fig Newtons?

Positively, not!

Fig Newtons are excessive in sugar, which is an excessive amount of for a rooster and might be sufficient to ship them to the grave.

Can chickens eat dates?

Positive, dates are literally protected and wholesome for chickens.

Nevertheless, as a result of dates are candy, they need to solely be given sparingly or as an occasional deal with.

Are all figs edible?

No, not all figs are edible.

Some are solely decorative, just like the mistletoe fig and creeping fig.

Sure, Chickens Can Eat Figs!

To wrap issues up, sure, you’ll be able to go forward and provides figs to your chickens—flesh, pores and skin, seeds, and all.

However solely give it as a deal with and never as part of their every day food plan as a result of its sugar content material could also be an excessive amount of for what your flock truly wants to remain wholesome.

Additionally, be certain they don’t eat fig leaves, as these include dangerous toxins that may absolutely trigger hassle to your rooster’s well being and improvement.

So, now that we’ve sorted that out, it’s best to learn extra of our articles about what different fruits chickens can or can not eat.

I’ve linked them under for simpler navigation, so examine them out!

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