Can Chickens Eat Apricots? 7 Things You Need to Know

CAN CHICKENS EAT APRICOTS

Can chickens eat apricots? Yes, apricots are very healthy for chickens, in moderation. These fruits are packed full of nutrients that will benefit a chickens health, immune system and even their well-being. It is safe for chickens to eat the flesh part of the apricot, but it is important to know that parts of the tree and fruit can be toxic to them.

1. Are Apricots Healthy for Chickens to Eat?

NUTRIENTNUTRITIONAL CONTENT
IN 1 TBS APRICOT
HOW
CHICKENS
BENEFIT FROM IT
VITAMIN E0.09 mgNERVE, MUSCLE,
CIRCULATORY HEALTH,
IMMUNE RESPONSE,
FERTILITY,
EGG PRODUCTION
VITAMIN C0.97 mgDECREASES SIDE
EFFECTS OF
STRESS
VITAMIN A9.3 mcgSUPPORTS IMMUNITY,
VISION, SKIN
VITAMIN K0.32 mcgBONE HEALTH
CHOLINE0.27 mgLIVER AND NERVOUS
SYSTEM HEALTH
BETA-CAROTENE105.98 mcgENDOCRINE SYSTEM
HEALTH, IMMUNITY,
PIGMENTATION OF
SKIN AND EGG YOLKS
OF HENS
LUTEIN +
ZEAXANTHIN
8.62 mcgEYE HEALTH, YELLOW
COLOR OF SKIN AND
EGG YOLK
FOLATE0.87 mcgPRODUCTION OF DNA
AND RNA
PANTOTHENIC ACID
(B5)
0.023 mgAIDS IN ENERGY
UTILIZATION, IMPROVES
GROWTH RATE
CARBOHYDRATES1.08 gENERGY
SUGARS0.90 gENERGY
FIBER0.19 gDIGESTIVE HEALTH,
DEVELOPMENT OF
ORGANS
POTASSIUM25.06 mgHEART FUNCTION,
MUSCLE CONTRACTION

2. Can Chickens Eat Apricots: Leaves, Stems or Seeds?

Apricot stems, leaves and the seeds all contain a naturally occurring compound called amygdalin. When it is crushed or chewed, it is released and the body converts it into cyanide.

“Research suggests that 0.5-3.5 milligrams (mg) of cyanide per kilogram (kg) of body weight weight can be lethal.”

Studies have shown that apricots from the Rosaceae species contained from 0.1-17.5 mg/g of amygdalin! This compound turns into cyanide when it is crushed or chewed.

Apricot Leaves: Chickens should not be fed apricot leaves because they contain amygdalin which when ingested will convert into cyanide.

Apricot Stems: Remove the apricot stems before serving them to your chickens. Most chickens tend to avoid the stems of the apricot, but if you can it is best to just remove them.

Apricot Seeds or Pits: Apricot pits and seeds contain amygdalin. Most apricot pits are too large for a chicken to eat and chickens do not have teeth, so they cannot crush these hard stones.

A chickens digestive system will not break down the pit. Instead, it will pass through its digestive system until it is pooped out.

3. Can Chickens Eat Unripe Apricots?

Unripe apricots are more bitter, but perfectly fine for your chickens to eat. Its nutritional content is pretty much the same, minus the naturally occurring sugars in a ripe one.

An unripe apricot has a lower level of the toxic compound amygdalin in the pit. The level increases as it ripens.

Can chickens eat apricots?  This chart shows what parts are toxic to chickens and what parts of the apricot are safe for your chickens to eat.

4. What Happens if My Chicken Eats Apricot Leaves, Stems, Pits?

Depending upon the size and age of your chicken and how much it consumed will determine how harmful it will be to them. Both very young and old chickens may suffer more if they eat apricot leaves, stems or pits. It can range from a mild stomach upset, diarrhea to shock and in severe cases death.

WHAT HAPPENS IF
MY CHICKEN EATS
APRICOT LEAVES, STEMS
OR PITS(SEEDS)
MILD STOMACH UPSET
DIARRHEA
VOMITTING
RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS
PANTING
HEADACHE
MUSCLE PAIN
JOINT PAIN
SEIZURES
SHOCK
LOW BLOOD PRESSURE
TIREDNESS
NERVOUSNESS
INABILITY TO SLEEP
RED MUCOUS MEMBRANES
DEATH

5. Can Chickens Eat Dried Apricots?

Chickens can eat dried apricots as long as there isn’t any added sugars to them. Dried apricots already have a naturally higher sugar content so any more sugar isn’t healthy for your chickens.

Sugar has no health benefits for your chickens and too much of it can cause obesity, high blood pressure, difficulty with egg laying and many other negative health problems.

Heavy chickens also have difficulties cooling off during extreme heat and are more likely to suffer from heat exhaustion.

6. When Can I Feed My Chickens Apricots?

Young chicks can eat the apricot pulp as early as its second week of life. It is important to let newly hatched chicks get used to their regular feed before introducing treats.

For all ages of chickens, first give them its regular chick crumbles or layers pellets during the day. Later in the afternoon is a great time to check on your chickens and give them a little apricot treat.

Make sure that you remove any leaves and stems that may be attached. Even a small amount of apricot leaf can cause a bad stomach upset with a young chick.

7. Tips on Feeding Chickens Apricots

The serving size of treats for an adult chicken is about 1 TBS per day. Treats shouldn’t be more than 10% of a chickens daily diet. This is for a “healthy” chicken. Any more than this and it can lead to obesity and other health issues.

If you purchased your apricots from the grocery store and they are not organic, there may be some pesticides or herbicides on the fruit. Because this can be toxic to chickens, it is important to wash the fruit before serving it to your chickens.

Most chickens disregard the pits and eat the flesh surrounding it. The first time you feed them to your flock, monitor them to make sure they don’t try to eat the small pits. Mine just disregard them and I pick the pits up when they are finished.

MY CHICKENS DON'T BOTHER WITH THE APRICOT PITS AND I PICK THEM UP WHEN THEY ARE FINISHED EATING THE APRICOT PULP.
MY CHICKENS DON’T BOTHER WITH THE APRICOT PITS AND I PICK THEM UP WHEN THEY ARE FINISHED EATING THE APRICOT PULP.

The first time you feed your chickens apricots, monitor their poop. If you notice any of your flock has diarrhea, remove any remaining apricots. Next time you serve apricots, cut back on how many you serve to them.

CONCLUSION: Can Chickens Eat Apricots? 7 Things You Need to Know

Apricots are healthy for chickens to eat in moderation. They are filled with nutrients that will help to boost their immune system, well-being and health.

Apricot tree leaves, stems and the pit (seed) can be toxic to chickens. The pit is like a hard stone. Most chickens avoid this part of the fruit all together.

The toxic substance amygdalin, is inside of the pit and can only become toxic to a chicken if it is crushed or chewed. Chickens do not have teeth and cannot crush open this stone. Its digestive system will eventually just pass the stone when it poops.


About the Author

Jenny is a chicken enthusiast and has raised a variety of different breeds of chickens in her Northern California backyard for the past 27 years.

She enjoys using incubators to incubate and hatch fertile chicken eggs so she can raise baby chicks from day 1.

Some of her favorites include Crested Cream Legbars, Marans, Silkies, Orpingtons and Olive Eggers. These breeds make a beautiful basket of farm fresh eggs!

Both she and her husband built their own chicken coop and she and her Dad built her current chick brooder.

Jenny likes to share tips and tricks that she has learned over the years to make it easier for others to raise happy, healthy and productive chickens.

Two years ago, Jenny released a Special 9 Herb Chicken Nesting Box Blend that helps to increase hen egg production as well as keep chickens happy and healthy.

Last year she released Cooling Herbs for Chickens that helps to lower chicken core body temperature during extreme heat.

SEE MORE

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