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Can Chickens Eat Pears?

Can Chickens Eat Pears

Yes, chickens like pears a lot. Pears are a healthy nutrition source for them. And their sweet taste also attracts your chickens to it.

You must remember to never buy canned pears, pear jams, or other types of pears that might contain preservatives. Sometimes, fresh pears bought from supermarkets can also have some external preservative on them. So, it’s a good idea to wash them before you serve them to your chickens. 

Are Pears Good for Chickens?

Pears are undoubtedly a healthy source of various nutrients for your chickens. Some of the significant benefits of pears are : 

Pears are a good source of water.

Pears have a high water content of about 80%. So they are an excellent source of hydration for your chickens. And if your chickens are hydrated well, they’ll produce superior quality eggs too. In fact, properly hydrated chickens lend high-quality meat as well. 

Provides antioxidants

If you want your birds to have a stronger immune system and be free of diseases, they need to have antioxidants regularly. One of the easiest ways to provide your chickens with antioxidants is via pears. Pears are a good source of antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin A, etc. 

Improves Digestion and Excretion for Chickens

Pears, like many other fruits, contain large amounts of fiber. These fibers help with smooth digestion and keep bowel movements regular. So if you want your chickens to have excellent digestive health, feed them pears. 

Some Small Precautions

  • Even though pears have a host of benefits for your chicken, remember that they contain high amounts of fructose or fruit sugar as well. So make sure that you don’t overfeed pears to your chicken. Doing so will impact their health negatively. Try to offer them pears sometimes in place of their regular food, and make sure pears aren’t the only thing they’re eating. 
  • Do not feed pears to chickens aged two weeks or below. Chicks that young do not have digestive systems strong enough to handle pear. 
Can Chickens Eat Pear Skins
My chicken smashing the green pear

Can Chickens Eat Pear Skins?

Yes, your chickens can have pear skins. In fact, they are highly beneficial because of their fiber content. So the next time you decide to serve pears to your chicken, you can forget about removing the skin. 

Can Chickens Have Overripe Pears?

Yes, chickens like and can have overripe pears. You can also either cook your pears to soften them before serving them to your chicken or serve them overripe without cooking. In both cases, your chickens won’t be harmed and will enjoy a delicious meal.

Are Pear Seeds Poisonous for Chickens
My chickens like yellow/brown (more ripe) and green pears

Are Pear Seeds Poisonous for Chickens?

No, pear seeds are not poisonous for chickens unless taken in massive amounts. Pear seeds contain cyanide but in trace quantities, and such a small amount of cyanide is incapable of any harm. Unless you collect and grind many pear seeds, the little cyanide in a few whole seeds won’t be enough to harm your chickens. 

A chicken’s digestive system can easily handle the cyanide contained in the seeds of one pear. Despite this, however, it’s advisable to remove the seeds before feeding pears to your chicken. To remove the seeds, simply cut the pear in half and extract the seeds using a knife. 

If, in the past, you have forgotten or never bothered to extract the seeds before feeding pears to your chicken, don’t fret. As mentioned above, cyanide in trace quantities does not hurt your chicken. But be careful in the future and remove the core of the pear before feeding it to your chicken.

Conclusion

The bottom line is, chickens can have pears without any problems. As long you remove the seeds or the core before serving them pears, they will be completely safe.

Also, remember not to overfeed pears to your chickens. So treat your chicken to some delicious fruits like a pear in the upcoming summer and watch them grow and stay healthy. 

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Carlos Warren

Growing up in Texas, I was fascinated by the world of science and invention, thanks in large part to my father's work at Dow Chemical Company. However, my true passion lay in the natural world, and I became an expert in organic gardening and composting at a young age. I spent hours studying the microbiological communities in our family garden, using a microscope to define the quality of the soil. My love for farming and gardening led me to explore new techniques and methods, constantly pushing the boundaries of what was possible.