Can chickens eat mint? Glad you asked. Chickens eat various food such as basil, but can chickens eat mint? Is it good for them? What about mint leaves and stems? Continue reading to find out.
Can Chickens Eat Mint?
Yes, chickens can eat mint including the stems and leaves, but before you start serving mint to your flock, there are a few risks you should be aware of first. Keep reading to find out what’s good and bad about serving mint to chickens.
Is Mint Good for Chickens?
The good news is yes, all mint parts are good and safe for chickens to eat in moderation. However, you need to learn how to prepare it to prevent some risks.
Mint is a source of several nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, proteins and carbs that can the health of your hens. in addition to a high water content which makes it a great treat for a summer month as it can aid your chicken to stay well-hydrated.
Down below, we’ve put together some of the health benefits of serving mint to chickens.
Vitamins
Chickens need vitamins to maintain their body functions. Below are several vitamins that poultry can get from mint.
- Vitamin A is essential for your chicken to maintain healthy organs and eyes.
- Vitamin C helps produce antibodies which are necessary for chickens’ immune system, and it’s also an anti-inflammatory
Minerals
Chickens need various minerals in their food. Below are some minerals that hens can get from mint.
- Potassium in mint keep blood pressure in check and protect your backyard pet from strokes and other diseases like kidney stones and osteoporosis.
- Calcium content of mint help fowl build and maintain healthy and strong bones. The chickens’ heart, muscles and nerves also require calcium to work properly.
- Magnesium content of mint aids the birds’ body to have healthy blood sugar levels in addition to a healthy heart.
- Iron content of mint is essential for chickens’ body to create healthy red blood cells.
- Phosphorus in mint help’s chickens’ body filter and remove waste from the kidneys. It also helps chickens in repairing cells and tissues.
Fiber
Mint consists of 7% fiber which keep your chickens’ digestion system in good condition.
Protein
Mint also contains 3.6% protein which is required for your chickens’ growth.
Is Mint Bad for Chickens?
No, mint is neither bad nor poisonous to chickens. However, eating extensive amounts can cause some serious side effects like digestion issues and diarrhea due to the high moisture content.
Do Chickens Like Mint?
Yes, chickens do like mint; they find it palatable and would happily eat it whenever they can.
Want to make sure? Watch this video
However, there’s a chance your chickens won’t be interested at all, and that’s okay. Chickens are different with their own dietary preferences.
If your chickens aren’t interested in a food, there are many others that you can substitute it with.
How Much Mint Can Chickens Eat?
There is no rule about how much mint chickens can eat. However, mint or any food should never make up more than 5-10% of your chickens’ total daily calories. You should consider mint as treats, not as replacement for their main diet. If you give chickens mint, it should be a part of a well-balanced food.
How to Feed Mint to Chickens?
Here is how you can offer mint to chickens.
- It is best to seek out organic mint whenever possible.
- Wash the mint to remove any potential pesticides from the skin.
- Mix the mint with other food that your chickens usually eat.
- begin with a small amount of mint the first time you give it to your chicken to see if they show any negative signs. It’s wise to do this with any new snack.
Conclusion: Can Chickens Eat Mint?
Yes, chickens can eat mint, including the leaves and stems in moderate amounts. It is healthy, delicious and completely safe for chickens. However, it can cause some issues if excessively consumed.
And with many healthy options out there. Mint is best served up with other food that your chicken eat.
Keep mint as a special treat, and don’t replace it with the chickens’ main diet.
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