The chicken is an omnivore, so it eats most things. The primary source of nutrition for chickens should always be high-quality chicken feed, but vegetables are also beneficial. There are, however, some vegetables that are poisonous to chickens.
Among the best leafy greens you can feed your chickens is kale. This healthy treat is nutrient-dense but low in calories. Here are some nutrients present in kale:
From green to red, there are a number of colors of kale available. There are also a few varieties with unique shapes. Even so, kale is one of the most nutritional vegetables for chickens.
Among the most popular varieties of kale are:
To feed chickens, you need to remove the stems because they are woody and stiff. The leaves should also be rubbed and softened with your hands. They can be eaten raw or cooked.
Compared to other varieties, this one has a sweeter, more earthy flavor. Cooked or raw, the leaf is safe for your chickens.
A faint peppery bitterness characterizes the flavor of curly kale. However, chickens will enjoy the bitter, sour taste. There is no problem with them eating it raw, boiled, or cooked.
All parts of kale can be eaten by chickens since the plant contains no toxins. You should, however, fully wash them first because they may contain dirt and pesticides.
Chickens can become sick from some pesticides and suffer serious health problems from others. For safe and organic kale, you can grow it yourself.
Kale can be fed to chickens in several ways:
Alternatively, you can hang a few kale leaves in a chicken run or coop for them to eat during the day. While they are not free-range, this keeps them entertained, as well as preventing them from being bored, especially during the winter.
A kale stem, for example, has a fibrous, tough texture. Cooking the stems first makes them safe for eating and makes them edible. You can boil or steam them.
If you don't want to cut the stems into pieces, you can feed them whole. In any case, this is a tasty treat for them that won't cause them to choke.
To begin, chop the kale finely. As soon as they have been sliced and properly mixed, put them in their feeders. Then, put it in their feeding bowl and let the chickens eat it.
In spite of the fact that kale is highly nutritious and does not contain toxins, chickens should only receive it in moderation. Kale should not make up more than 10% of chickens' diets. 90% of the chickens' dietary needs should be met by quality commercial feed formulated with the right amount of nutrition.
Kale is only intended to be eaten as a snack. A few pieces of kale are sufficient for an adult chicken. You can feed newborn chickens a small piece of kale. In spite of being high in nutrients, it is low in energy and should therefore be treated as a treat
However, even if your chickens beg for kale, do not overfeed them. They may not consume their food if they have too much kale. In the long run, kale can cause nutrient deficiencies or overconsumption, both of which would be harmful to their health.
Even though kale is an excellent food for both people and chickens, too much of anything can be harmful. There are approximately 17 milligrams of calcium oxalate in this vegetable, which can cause kidney and bladder stones, as well as other health issues. Maintaining a healthy, active flock requires moderation.
So Can Chickens Eat Kale?
Among the best leafy greens you can feed your chickens is kale. This healthy treat is nutrient-dense but low in calories. Here are some nutrients present in kale:
- Protein
- Calcium
- Phosphorous
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Iron
- Selenium
- Folate
- Choline
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin K
Nutritional benefits of kale
Rich in Anti-oxidants
Kale is rich in antioxidants like beta-carotene, flavonoids, and polyphenols. Among their many benefits, antioxidants protect the heart, reduce inflammations, and help the growth of chicken tissues, such as skin and feathers.Great Source of Vitamin C
Providing your chickens with vitamin C-rich foods such as kale will aid in their recovery if they become ill. Vitamin C is essential to collagen synthesis, immunity, and wound healing.Lower Cholesterol
As kale contains a lot of bile acid sequestrants, it can assist in helping the body lower cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease.High in Vitamin K
Vitamin K assists your chickens in clotting blood after an injury. Calcium-binding proteins are also stimulated by Vitamin K.Kale Contains Many Useful Minerals
Kale contains many minerals, including:
- Calcium: essential for bone health and cellular function.
- Magnesium: protects the body from a number of ailments.
- Potassium: lowers the risk of heart disease.
- High in fiber: Due to its high fiber content, kale prevents constipation in chickens by regulating their bowel movements.
Eye Support and Health
As chickens age, kale reduces the risk of macular degeneration. In addition to these nutrients, it also contains Vitamins C, E, Zinc, and beta-carotene, all of which are beneficial to eye health.What are the types of kale?
From green to red, there are a number of colors of kale available. There are also a few varieties with unique shapes. Even so, kale is one of the most nutritional vegetables for chickens.
Among the most popular varieties of kale are:
Red Russian Kale
Red Russian Kale is also known as ragged jack kale because its leaves are reddish with a purplish tint near the stems. Despite its mild peppery taste, this kale is perfect for your chickens.To feed chickens, you need to remove the stems because they are woody and stiff. The leaves should also be rubbed and softened with your hands. They can be eaten raw or cooked.
Dinosaur Kale
The long, bluish-green leaves of Dinosaur kale are somewhat wrinkled and shaped like a spear. Dinosaur kale is sometimes referred to as "black kale" and as "Tuscan kale." In addition to its solid texture, it can also hold its shape when cooked.Compared to other varieties, this one has a sweeter, more earthy flavor. Cooked or raw, the leaf is safe for your chickens.
Curly Kale
The most common type of kale in grocery shops, back yards, and salads is curly kale. As its name suggests, it is purple or green and seems wavy and curly.A faint peppery bitterness characterizes the flavor of curly kale. However, chickens will enjoy the bitter, sour taste. There is no problem with them eating it raw, boiled, or cooked.
Redbor Kale
It has wavy fringes at the end of its leaves, which resemble cresting waves, as its name suggests. It has a mild, cabbage-like flavor and a nutty undertone your chickens will love, despite its crisp texture.Baby Kale
Frequently sold in supermarkets in prepackaged boxes or bags along with other vegetables, baby kale is one of the most common kinds of kale. This kind has smaller, more delicate leaves. Your chickens will enjoy eating this variety raw or cooked because it is so tender.How should you feed kale to chickens?
All parts of kale can be eaten by chickens since the plant contains no toxins. You should, however, fully wash them first because they may contain dirt and pesticides.
Chickens can become sick from some pesticides and suffer serious health problems from others. For safe and organic kale, you can grow it yourself.
Kale can be fed to chickens in several ways:
Fresh Kale
It is most nutritious to feed chickens raw kale, although the stems, as well as the leaves, can be difficult for them to consume. Whether you cut the leafy greens into tiny pieces or crush them in your hands, you can help your birds eat them without strainingAlternatively, you can hang a few kale leaves in a chicken run or coop for them to eat during the day. While they are not free-range, this keeps them entertained, as well as preventing them from being bored, especially during the winter.
Cooked Kale
Another method of feeding chickens kale is to cook it beforehand. Some of their nutrients will be lost in the process, but it will be easier to consume.A kale stem, for example, has a fibrous, tough texture. Cooking the stems first makes them safe for eating and makes them edible. You can boil or steam them.
If you don't want to cut the stems into pieces, you can feed them whole. In any case, this is a tasty treat for them that won't cause them to choke.
Mixing Kale with Feeds
If you want to give your chickens an extra nutritional boost, you can add raw kale to their diet. Cooked kale, however, will produce mushy and moist feed, so avoid giving them this.To begin, chop the kale finely. As soon as they have been sliced and properly mixed, put them in their feeders. Then, put it in their feeding bowl and let the chickens eat it.
When and how much kale should chickens eat?
In spite of the fact that kale is highly nutritious and does not contain toxins, chickens should only receive it in moderation. Kale should not make up more than 10% of chickens' diets. 90% of the chickens' dietary needs should be met by quality commercial feed formulated with the right amount of nutrition.
Kale is only intended to be eaten as a snack. A few pieces of kale are sufficient for an adult chicken. You can feed newborn chickens a small piece of kale. In spite of being high in nutrients, it is low in energy and should therefore be treated as a treat
However, even if your chickens beg for kale, do not overfeed them. They may not consume their food if they have too much kale. In the long run, kale can cause nutrient deficiencies or overconsumption, both of which would be harmful to their health.
Is there a recommended frequency of feeding kale to chickens?
You should feed kale to them no more than 2-4 times a week. As a result, they will have more variety in their diets and won't become overly fond of it or reject it completely.Even though kale is an excellent food for both people and chickens, too much of anything can be harmful. There are approximately 17 milligrams of calcium oxalate in this vegetable, which can cause kidney and bladder stones, as well as other health issues. Maintaining a healthy, active flock requires moderation.
