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Can Chickens Eat Cherries? Everything you need to know!

We’re committed to helping you raise happy, healthy chickens. When you think about things chickens love to eat, cherries are not the first thing that comes to mind. But in fact, all chickens cherish cherries, including urban backyard chickens like ours!

Some people have concerns about the pits and stems of cherries because they think that they may be harmful or poisonous, but this isn’t the case.

In this article, we will cover topics like:

  • Can chickens have Cherry Pits?
  • Can Chickens Eat Cherry Stems?
  • Are Cherries BAD For Chickens?
  • How To Feed Your Chickens Cherries?
  • List of what you should NOT feed chickens

Can chickens have Cherry Pits?

Chickens can eat cherry pits. However, the pits contain cyanide and should not be given to your chickens in large abundance because eating too many of them can lead to health problems.

Although cherry pits are not considered toxic to chickens, they do contain cyanide, which can be deadly to birds.

can chickens eat cherries?

But don’t worry, a lot of chickens avoid eating pits, because they’re more intelligent than you can imagine!

That’s why we LOVE chickens. BTW, join our Facebook Group ~ Chicken Lovers. (more than 35,000 cluckers there)
We discuss a lot of daily tips & tricks on everything related to chickens.

Let’s continue with cherry stems ~ do chickens love cherry stems?!

Can Chickens Eat Cherry Stems?

Yes, chickens can eat cherry stems. However, they are smart enough to avoid them because of the toxicity they contain.

Cherry stems, like cherry pits, contain cyanide, which is poisonous to humans and animals alike.

If you give tons of cherries with stems and pits, of course, will be fatal to your chickens.

Are Cherries BAD For Chickens?

Cherries are not bad for chickens, but they should be fed in moderation. If a chicken is given too many cherries, it can lead to health issues due to the high sugar content of cherries.

So while it’s okay to give chickens cherries every now and then, you shouldn’t feed them too many with little variation in their diet.

If you want some inspiration, we have an article about can chickens eat grapes!

Can chickens eat cherries with seeds in them?

Yes, chickens can eat cherries with seeds in them. In fact, cherries and their seeds are a good source of antioxidants for chickens.

However, it is important to remember that chickens should not be given large amounts of any type of fruit, as it is not a natural part of their diet and can cause digestive upset if they eat too much.

It is best to feed chickens small amounts of fruit as a treat, rather than making it a staple of their diet.

Can chickens eat whole cherries?

Chickens can consume whole cherries. Cherries are, in fact, an excellent source of antioxidants for hens.

However, it is essential to remember that chickens should not be fed excessive amounts of fruit, as it is not a natural part of their diet and can cause intestinal distress if consumed in excess.

It is preferable to feed chickens tiny amounts of fruit as a treat rather than as a main course.

How To Feed Your Chickens Cherries?

The best way to feed your chickens cherries is to use them frozen or refrigerated. This is especially true in the summer when fresh cherries are out of season.

The most common way to provide frozen cherries is by putting them on a string and hanging them from the ceiling of your chicken coop. This will allow your chickens to pick off pieces from the string as needed, which is a good option if you don’t want to worry about waste or spoilage.

Another option for frozen cherries is simply storing them in a bowl inside your chicken coop. This will allow your chickens easy access to their food, but it could lead to waste or spoilage if you don’t monitor their consumption closely enough.

List of what you should NOT feed chickens

We have a separate article on 10 Things you should NOT feed your chicken, but in general, here are some foods you should avoid giving to chickens:

  • green potato skins
  • chocolate
  • avocado pit and peels
  • raw eggs (this is controversial)
  • apple seeds
can chickens eat cherries?

Conclusion

In summary, cherries are a good natural source of food for chickens and they indeed love eating cherries!

Leaving the cherry pits with the chicken will not harm it, as it would if it were eating olives.

Cherry stems are fine too–just don’t give them the leaves and in large quantities.

Finally, there is no scientific evidence that sours or sweet cherries are harmful to poultry, but throw in the pits and stems at your own risk.

You can always try out a few cherries from your garden to see if your particular chickens will eat them before plopping an entire bag into their downy throats!

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