Can Chickens Eat Kiwi?

Yes, chickens can eat all parts of kiwi as they are completely non-toxic. You can make your chickens eat kiwi fruit alone or mixed with other fruits. 

The seeds, skin, and flesh of the kiwi fruit can be given to chickens to eat. But, as a chicken owner, it is natural to be concerned about how many kiwi fruits to feed your flock.

Here is a low down on whether chickens eat kiwi and how many kiwis are ideal to feed them. Scroll down below to know everything you need to know about feeding kiwis to chickens. 

Parts of Kiwi Chickens can Relish

The entire kiwi fruit is nutritious for chickens. They can consume the whole fruit along with the skin, flesh, and seeds. 

This fruit has a thin outer skin and green flesh with tiny black seeds inside. The kiwi fruit is packed with plentiful vitamins and minerals. It is a delicious fruit with a sweet and tangy flavor. 

Here is more information about the different edible parts of the kiwi fruit:

Seeds

Kiwi fruits have tiny, black, edible seeds. These do not pose any harm to your flock if swallowed. The seeds pass through the digestive tract unbroken and aid in the easy passage of other foods through the intestines. 

The seeds are non-toxic and packed with a plethora of nutrients, including fiber, protein, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Skin

The skin is tough and tastes strange. Humans tend to remove the kiwi skin before eating the flesh. However, chickens can be given whole kiwi fruits along with the skin. The skin is edible and has the maximum nutrient content.

Kiwi skin contains vitamin E, C, folate, and fiber. There is a high concentration of tiny elements called raphides in the skin. Raphides, along with the acidic content of the fruit, make the skin taste strange. 

If your chickens do not eat the skin or are allergic to it, you can peel off the skin and feed them.

Flesh

The flesh of the kiwi fruit is quite soft and juicy. There are many different varieties of kiwi fruits, and each comes with a different color and flavor. Some kiwis are deep yellow, while some are bright green. 

The deep yellow flesh is juicier than the bright green and sweeter in taste. You can keep these things in mind while buying chicken kiwi. The tastier the fruit, the more likely they are to eat it.

If you want that your chickens eat kiwi fruit, ensure that you give them ripe kiwis. Unripe kiwis may be sour and high in acidic content. Feeding kiwi fruit that is unripe may lead to gastric disorders in your chickens. Unripe fruits cause gastric problems as they are high in papain. 

Health Benefits of Kiwi 

Kiwis have several health benefits for birds. Every part of this fruit has essential nutrients that enhance the well-being of your birds:

Nutritional Value of 1 Kiwi (approx 69g)

• Energy – 42 calories
• Water – 57 g
• Folate – 17.2 µg
• Carbohydrates – 10.1 g
• Calcium – 3.5 mg
• Phosphorus – 23.5 mg
• Potassium – 215 mg
• Vitamin C – 64 mg
• Vitamin K – 27.8 µg
• Magnesium – 11.7 mg
• Fat – 0.35 g
• Choline – 5.38 mg
• Fiber – 2.07 g
• Sugars – 6.2 g
• Protein 0.78 g

Health Benefits of Feeding Kiwi to Chickens

• Boosts Immunity

Kiwis boost immunity in birds. Chickens are fragile beings that die easily from oxidative stress. Feeding kiwis to chickens can provide them with ample vitamin C and E. 

These vitamins are powerful for fighting oxidative stress. These vitamins also regulate the functioning of the immune system. 

• Improves Digestion

Kiwi seeds and skin are loaded with fiber. Feeding these to your birds can help remove constipation and gastric disorders. These foods can easily pass through the digestive tract of chickens because of their high dietary fiber content.

Kiwis have high water content, and this aids in digestion as well.

• Builds the body

Kiwis are rich in proteins. Chickens need a lot of proteins to grow well – proteins aid in building healthy bones and muscles. Ample protein will enhance the quality of eggs in laying hens. 

Kiwis are also rich in carbohydrates and fats. These are broken down to provide energy for their bodies.

How to Feed Kiwis to Chickens?

Chickens can eat kiwis as a tasty and healthy treat twice or thrice a week. Backyard flock owners who want to feed kiwi to their flock should know that chickens eat kiwi skin, seeds, as well as the flesh.

Chicken owners should only feed fresh kiwis to their birds. Chickens love these nutritious fruits, and they are good for chickens health as well. 

But, do not feed kiwi as a main meal to your birds. These fruits, although healthy, lack enough proteins and carbohydrates required for birds to grow well. Treat foods should only make up 10% of your chickens’ diet.

It is ideal that chickens eat kiwi skin, seed, or fruit twice a week. They can eat kiwi fruit in between meals or mixed with other fruits or vegetables. You can also hang a whole fruit on their cage and let them peck at it. 

Kiwi fruit should be fed in moderation to chickens. One kiwi fruit can be given to 6 to 7 chickens at a time. As this fruit is high in sugar, it can lead to piles, obesity, high blood pressure, etc. 

Baby chickens can be given the soft flesh of the fruit once or twice a week. It is best to feed them kiwis along with other foods to get other nutrients. 

This fruit can be mixed with commercial feeds and fed to chickens as a superfood blend once or twice a week. You can alternate this pattern with other fruit to ensure they get various vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. 

Which Foods Can Chickens Not Eat?

Most chickens enjoy eating fruits and vegetables, but there are some that should be avoided:

• While there is no harm in feeding kiwi skin and seeds to chickens, there are certain fruits whose skin and seeds are toxic for birds. For example, avocado pits and apple seeds are highly toxic to birds.
• You cannot feed your flock raw bean plants. Raw beans contain certain enzymes that are toxic for their bodies. 
• Chickens should not be given moldy foods.
• Similarly, green potatoes or other vegetables of the nightshade family should be avoided in a chickens diet.
• Fruits and vegetables with tough rinds should not be given to birds as they will not be able to eat the flesh inside. It is recommended to remove the rind before feeding them.
• Avoid foods with too much salt or sugar as they lead to health issues in birds.
• Do not feed chickens chocolates or fatty food as well.

This is a rough list of foods that chickens cannot eat. As a poultry owner, you must keep in mind which foods your flock can eat and which foods to avoid.

Conclusion

Chickens can eat all parts of the kiwi fruit, including kiwi seeds, flesh, and skin. You can feed them a whole kiwi fruit, but it should not compensate for their main meal. 

While kiwi skin and seeds contain essential nutrients and dietary fiber, they do not have enough proteins and carbohydrates required for optimal growth. The ideal quantity is twice or thrice a week in the ratio of one kiwi for 6 to 7 chickens.