Chickens love eating jalapenos! Not only are they delicious for your chickens, but these peppers can also help provide some extra entertainment value for you.
Ok, so you know that the capsaicin in peppers makes them spicy hot? The capsaicin compound is what gives jalapeno peppers their kick. It is also responsible for giving other peppers, like habaneros
You may have wondered do chickens like jalapenos?
They provide extra nutrients and balance to their diet. Some people tend to shy away from growing hot peppers because of their fiery nature. Instead, you should be turning to the idea of including these foods in your flock’s diet.
Do chickens like Jalapenos Peppers?
As we mentioned above, chickens value jalapenos.
You can add some Jalapeno peppers to your chicken’s diet but use them in moderation.
As you know, the tongue of a chicken has only about 300-350 taste buds, not like ours which has 8,000-10,000 (people’s, not chickens).
Are jalapenos healthy for chickens?
Jalapeno peppers have some surprising health benefits for chickens, other poultry, and even humans. Here are a few reasons why you should give your feathered friends some jalapenos.
They’re high in vitamins and antioxidants, making them beneficial for humans and chickens alike.
They contain carotene, folate, potassium, fiber, and vitamin A.
Chickens need plenty of healthy nutrients in their diet to maintain their overall health, which includes their reproductive health.
Vitamin A is an important nutrient that can promote the antioxidant activity and overall health of a chicken’s eyes. The plant pigment that gives Jalapenos their spicy heat and pungent aroma also contains beta-carotene, a plant pigment that helps make Vitamin A in a chicken’s body.
Since chickens need massive amounts of this vitamin for optimal health and visual capabilities, it only makes sense that a spicy pepper works well in their diet, too.
Adding fresh jalapenos to their diet on a regular basis will significantly improve their health, and keep them in the best possible grooming condition. Your chickens will thank you for giving them the gift of Vitamin A from fresh jalapenos.
How to give jalapenos to chickens?
I put just a little bit of jalapeno into their bowl for them to try, and now they can’t be stopped!
You may need to chop them into pieces first, though. They go crazy for it!
Chickens don’t have teeth, so they won’t be able to chew them up and eat them as we would. But, if you chop the peppers up small enough, it will give them something to peck at and eat.
Don’t forget the regular chicken feed, jalapenos should be given like treats.
Make sure the jalapenos are fresh, too.
Older jalapenos aren’t as flavorful and aren’t as good for your chickens because they’re not as healthy. If you’re growing your own, remember a little goes a long way.
What about the seeds of the jalapeno?
Yes, they can eat jalapeno seeds because the peppers don’t include toxic or damaging chemicals.
You should remove any stems from the peppers as they can be detrimental to birds.
There are some chicken keepers who think that jalapenos seeds are deadly and can cause health issues for your chickens.
Can I feed my chickens with other types of chili peppers?
If you’re planning to grow a garden or have some extra chili peppers, you might have some questions about whether your chickens can eat them and how much they should be fed each day.
Your chickens can eat many types of chili peppers, including jalapenos, bell peppers, cayenne peppers and cherry bombs.
You should avoid using very spicy varieties like ghost peppers; these are extremely hot and could make your chickens sick if they eat them whole or in large quantities.
Can chickens eat Carolina reapers?
Yes, chickens can eat Carolina reapers.
Carolina reaper peppers are a hot pepper variety that has been described as the hottest in the world. They can be eaten raw, but it is recommended to cook them before consumption because they are very spicy.
Did you know? The Carolina Reaper has an average of 1,569,300 Scoville heat units (SHU), which is about 200 times hotter than a jalapeño pepper. The heat of this pepper can be felt in the mouth and throat after eating it and can last for several hours afterward!
Are Carolina reapers safe for chickens to eat?
Yes, and Capsaicin is the primary chemical in chilies that causes the heat, and while mammals are sensitive to it, chickens are not. As a result, it causes no harm to them.
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Conclusion
Based on these causes and the information provided, we can say that there is no substantial data that says that chili peppers can be harmful to chickens.
If you have chickens and you grow chili peppers, there is no reason why the two can’t coexist.
As mentioned above, chickens are able to eat many different types of chilies and they usually enjoy them due to their spicy flavor.
Shannon Stansberry has been engaged in the business of raising chickens for more than 12 years. In 2016, she accomplished the Agriculture & Natural Resources program at Mt. San Antonio College. At present, she tends to more than 80 chickens on her 4-hectare farm. Shannon regularly shares her insights and experience on how to raise healthy and contented chickens on the platform Typesofchickens.com
