Feeding your chickens wholesome food is the key to keeping them healthy. It is also important not to let them eat too much forage and to give them treats sometimes. Blueberries, among other types of berries, are treats that you can give your chickens, but you should watch how much you give them.
It might surprise you, but chickens can eat blueberries. Blueberries are both tasty and healthy; therefore, they can be fed to chickens as treats. Among the minerals found in blueberries, are phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, calcium, and iron.
They are considered superfoods because they contain antioxidants like anthocyanin, which cope with different health conditions by eliminating free radicals in the blood.
In other words, 90% of what you give your chicken should be feed, and 10% should be treats. You can therefore give your chickens blueberries twice or three times a week. Chickens can get all they need from just two or three blueberries.
In addition to nutritional requirements, the purpose of breeding and the age of the chicken all affect how the feed is made. Chickens that lay eggs are fed differently than those raised solely for meat. Furthermore, a day-old chicken needs different nutrition than a six-month-old chicken.
In order for chickens to grow, they need to eat their feed, since it contains minerals, vitamins, and proteins in sufficient quantities. The essential nutrients in blueberries are only a part of what your chicken needs.
Thus, they cannot substitute for your chicken's main feed. Blueberries in excess can reduce the production of eggs in your chickens or cause their eggs to be deformed. They may also hamper digestion and result in diarrhea.
The excess consumption of vitamin K will result in your chickens bleeding over time. Vitamin K is a nutrient that is required for growth. Moreover, excess blueberries can cause protein deficiency in chickens as well as increase their heat production.
Superfoods like blueberries provide chickens with some of the essential nutrients they need. Chickens eat blueberries for several reasons, including:
Additionally, it can turn into hard stones in the gallbladder, causing a lot of discomfort for your chickens. But blueberries can help your chickens lower their bad cholesterol.
Other Nutrients contained in Blueberries are:
Although they are necessary for the body's functioning, their excessive presence becomes dangerous. The antioxidants in blueberries, however, protect the blood cells of your chickens from free radical damage.
Choosing healthy blueberries for your chickens is important. When blueberries aren't grown in the right conditions, they can contain toxic substances that harm the health of your chickens. To choose healthy blueberries, follow these tips:
A good way to find out how tall it is is to measure it. If you're buying packaged blueberries, size is not really an issue. No matter how big or small the berries are, make sure they are healthy before buying.
You can grow blueberries in your garden if you don't want to buy them in the store. Your chickens will eat healthy blueberries this way. Blueberries should be stored in the refrigerator if you purchase them in large quantities. Refrigerated blueberries will stay fresh for up to 14 days.
Can Chickens Eat Blueberries?
It might surprise you, but chickens can eat blueberries. Blueberries are both tasty and healthy; therefore, they can be fed to chickens as treats. Among the minerals found in blueberries, are phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, calcium, and iron.
They are considered superfoods because they contain antioxidants like anthocyanin, which cope with different health conditions by eliminating free radicals in the blood.
Feed vs. treat.
Chickens should only be given blueberries as a treat, not as their main source of nutrition. The 90-10% rule must be followed when giving chickens treats.In other words, 90% of what you give your chicken should be feed, and 10% should be treats. You can therefore give your chickens blueberries twice or three times a week. Chickens can get all they need from just two or three blueberries.
Why chicken feed?
Protein, vitamin & mineral, fat, and cereal make up chicken feed. Corn, rye, or soybeans could be the cereal, while soybeans would make up the protein. Feed also contains fats such as soy oil and vitamins such as amino acids.In addition to nutritional requirements, the purpose of breeding and the age of the chicken all affect how the feed is made. Chickens that lay eggs are fed differently than those raised solely for meat. Furthermore, a day-old chicken needs different nutrition than a six-month-old chicken.
In order for chickens to grow, they need to eat their feed, since it contains minerals, vitamins, and proteins in sufficient quantities. The essential nutrients in blueberries are only a part of what your chicken needs.
Thus, they cannot substitute for your chicken's main feed. Blueberries in excess can reduce the production of eggs in your chickens or cause their eggs to be deformed. They may also hamper digestion and result in diarrhea.
The excess consumption of vitamin K will result in your chickens bleeding over time. Vitamin K is a nutrient that is required for growth. Moreover, excess blueberries can cause protein deficiency in chickens as well as increase their heat production.
Main Reasons Chickens Should Eat Blueberries
Superfoods like blueberries provide chickens with some of the essential nutrients they need. Chickens eat blueberries for several reasons, including:
Fiber
Blueberries are rich in soluble fiber, which is a crucial nutrient. In addition to aiding digestion, soluble fiber delays hunger. As a result, chickens fed with blueberries feel less hungry, which helps them consume fewer calories and prevents obesity.Anti-inflammatory properties
Blueberries, like all berries, have anti-inflammatory properties as well. This is helpful in preventing heart disease, colds, infection, etc., and eliminating causes of chronic inflammation such as stress.Healthy heart
Keeping the heart healthy is another benefit of blueberries. This is due to the fact that they lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases. As a result, your chickens are protected from serious organ damage. Furthermore, blueberries enhance blood clotting, which prevents excessive blood loss if your chickens are injured.Reduces bad cholesterol
Besides humans, animals such as chickens can also have bad cholesterol. A buildup of bad cholesterol can clog arteries, thereby restricting blood flow and causing heart attacks or heart disease.Additionally, it can turn into hard stones in the gallbladder, causing a lot of discomfort for your chickens. But blueberries can help your chickens lower their bad cholesterol.
Nutrient-rich
It's no wonder that blueberries are considered superfoods because they are packed with nutrients. Moreover, they contain vitamins and minerals that protect chickens from cold and make them more coordinated. Blueberries contain vitamin C, manganese, copper, iron, phosphorus, vitamin K1, folate, and other nutrients. However, blueberries are low in calories despite their nutritional value.Other Nutrients contained in Blueberries are:
- Protein
- Fiber
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Zinc
Antioxidants
The antioxidants in any living thing protect the cells from free radicals, which are the leading cause of heart attacks and other major diseases. The body's immune system is destroyed by free radicals, which accelerate the aging process.Although they are necessary for the body's functioning, their excessive presence becomes dangerous. The antioxidants in blueberries, however, protect the blood cells of your chickens from free radical damage.
Tasty
Aside from the health benefits, blueberries taste delicious, and chickens prefer tasty foods. The berries are soft, so your chickens can eat them without you having to mash them.Tips For Choosing Healthy Blueberries For Your Chickens
Choosing healthy blueberries for your chickens is important. When blueberries aren't grown in the right conditions, they can contain toxic substances that harm the health of your chickens. To choose healthy blueberries, follow these tips:
Buy from a local grower
One of the best ways to ensure your chickens are eating healthy blueberries is by purchasing a whole blueberry plant from a local grower. You can expect the grower to convince you that their blueberry plants are free of disease. However, even if they are not, it is easy to return them.Color
Healthful blueberries are deep blue in color. If you see any discoloration on the leaves or fruits, the blueberries are probably diseased. Red spots on blueberries, for instance, indicate that they will continue to ripen even after they have been removed from the plants. Pink spots indicate that blueberries are not fully ripe.Texture
Blueberries that are healthy are firm, plump, soft, and blemish-free. They are not moldy or rotten. Putting your chickens in danger by giving them moldy blueberries is not a good idea. Don't buy mushy blueberries, unless you want to make smoothies right away.Size
The size of the blueberry plant is also an important factor. Healthy blueberry plants produce many fruits, while diseased ones produce few. You should consider the number of fruits and buds a blueberry plant has when buying one.A good way to find out how tall it is is to measure it. If you're buying packaged blueberries, size is not really an issue. No matter how big or small the berries are, make sure they are healthy before buying.
Bloom
Bloom refers to the silvery-white substance that covers the blueberries. While sealing moisture inside the fruits, it keeps bacteria and insects away from the berries. Also, it indicates the blueberries haven't been handled much and are still fresh. Choose blueberries that have bloom if at all possible. It is quite easy to remove the bloom by hand.You can grow blueberries in your garden if you don't want to buy them in the store. Your chickens will eat healthy blueberries this way. Blueberries should be stored in the refrigerator if you purchase them in large quantities. Refrigerated blueberries will stay fresh for up to 14 days.
