Yes, chickens can eat any mushrooms that are safe for human consumption. However, it is quite tough to distinguish between wild, toxic mushrooms and the edible ones. So, it is better to give them only store bought mushrooms.
Mushrooms are power-packed with nutrients. But, if you let your flock peck over wild mushrooms going in your farm, it could lead to disastrous circumstances. It is better to pluck-off any wild mushrooms going in your premises and do not let your chickens eat wild mushrooms.
There is more to what kind of mushrooms to feed chickens and how much in a week. Scroll down below to know more about chicken mushrooms.
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Are Mushrooms Good For Chickens?
Chickens can eat mushrooms that are store bought. There are various types of mushrooms available and each variety has different nutrients.
Types of Mushrooms:
The various types of mushrooms are included below:
- Button Mushrooms
- Portobello Mushrooms
- Shiitake Mushrooms
- Enoki Mushrooms
- Morel Mushrooms
- Oyster Mushrooms
- Straw Mushrooms
- Lion’s Mane Mushrooms
These are the most common edible mushrooms that you can also feed chickens. Mushrooms can be a great snack for chickens. These are fat-free and low-calorie.
You can feed mushrooms to chickens if you want to monitor their weight. Many chicken owners add edible mushrooms as a snack in chicken feed to help them benefit from its various properties.
Mushrooms are low in sodium and cholesterol and are power-packed with antioxidants as well. Feeding mushrooms is beneficial to the overall health of poultry birds. They can improve chickens’ gut health and immune system.
Furthermore, adding cooked mushrooms to chicken’s diet can improve the overall quality of eggs produced. Mushrooms are high in protein and Vitamin D.
Can Chickens Eat Wild Mushrooms?
While some wild mushrooms can be safe mushrooms, some may not be. Furthermore, it is quite tough to distinguish between the edible ones and the poisonous mushrooms. Most wild mushrooms are safe, but even a single poisonous one can prove to be fatal.
Eating wild mushrooms can cause neurological issues, kidney failure, digestive issues and even bleeding in some chickens.
As chickens are foraging birds, it is best to check their foraging areas for any wild growing mushrooms. Mushrooms pop in grass or near plants. You must pluck out any such mushrooms growing to ensure the area is safe for chickens.
Can Chickens Have Raw Mushrooms?
Raw mushrooms can be safe for chickens, but mostly, they will not eat it. Not all chickens are a fan of the rubbery surface of mushrooms. They might, however, like some varieties of store bought mushrooms.
You can cook mushrooms and dice them properly before feeding them. It is best to add cooked button mushrooms in their diet if you want your chickens to eat mushrooms.
How To Feed Mushrooms To Chickens?
Store-bought mushrooms must be washed and cleaned properly. You must then dice them well. Then cook mushrooms until they are soft and edible in a nonstick skillet on medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes.
When cooking for chickens, you can forgo the additional salt or flavorings. Just add these edible mushrooms to their feed. These make an excellent and healthy treat for your flock. If you want your baby chickens to eat mushrooms, then you must dice them even smaller and cook them quite well.
You should avoid raw mushrooms at all costs when feeding chickens. The best varieties are oyster mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms or even button mushrooms. It is best to add cooked mushrooms to their feed once or twice a week.
Conclusion
It is better to be safe than sorry where mushrooms are concerned. You can give mushrooms to your chickens occasionally as a treat, but remember to cook them first. Uncooked mushrooms are hard to digest and mostly, your chickens will not eat them.
Furthermore, some wild mushrooms can be poisonous. Eating poisonous mushrooms can be fatal for chicken’s health and may even lead to death. So, it is best to feed them only store bought and cooked mushrooms.
