Can chickens eat marshamallows?

[smileysal]

Quote:
Nooooooo sugar cubes are crunchy, marshmallows are squishy!!!!

 

[TurtleFeathers]

I don't know - it would have never even OCCURRED to me to feed any of my animals marshmallows, least of all my chickens.

 

[AccentOnHakes]

I think it's too sweet and sticky.

 

[mitchroofing]

I wouldn't do it. They may stop laying.

 

[twentynine]

Why not feed chickens sugar? Is it going to rot their teeth?
Marshmellows can hardly be considered good nutrition, but it is calories available to turn into energy. Much the same as most food scraps fed to your chickens. They fill a hole in the belly nothing more nothing less.

 

[rainbowgardens]

Sugar upsets the mineral balance of the blood, requiring minerals to be taken from the bones in order to stabilize it. Sugar lowers immune function, leaving the door wide open for disease. Sugar causes spikes in blood sugar levels and upsets hormone production. It actually supresses growth hormones needed to develop muscle mass.
Sugar is not a good sustaining source of energy and will be stored as body fat.
If you need something free to fill the bird's bellies, go dig up some weeds for them. Then they will be eating real food.
Chickens are not trashcans. I understand the desire to not waste food, but sugary treats are not food... for chickens or for people.

 

[HorseFeathers]

rainbowgardens, good wording. Sugar, like chocolate, is not good for animals in more than miniscule portions. I would not feed your chickens marshmallows. Give them some other scraps from your barbecue like meat and buns if you'd like.

 

[williamtfarns]

**Edited for trolling comments.

 

[Chickenmaven]

Quote:
I disagree.

 

[The Chicken Expert]

I use them all the time for training chickens it works well