Can Chickens Eat Plums?

Can chickens eat plums? I’m glad you asked. Chickens eat various food such as radishes and parsley, but can chickens eat plums? Let’s find out what’s good and bad about this delicious food.

Can Chickens Eat Plums?

The short answer is yes. Chickens can eat plums, but before you start giving plums to chickens, there are some risks you should consider first. Keep reading to find out what’s good and bad about serving plums to your backyard pets.

Are Plums Good for Chickens?

The answer is yes. Plums are good and safe for chickens to eat in moderation. However, you have to learn how to prepare them to avoid some risks.

Plums provide numerous nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fiber and carbs that can benefit the health of your chicken. in addition to a high water levels (around 85%) which makes it a perfect food for summer days because it can help to keep chickens hydrated.

Down below, we’ve put together few of the health benefits of giving plums to chickens.

Vitamins

Poultry need vitamins to maintain their body functions. Below are several vitamins that chickens can get from plums.

Vitamin A is crucial for your chicken to maintain healthy eyes and organs.
Vitamin C helps produce antibodies which are necessary for chickens’ immune system, and it’s also an anti-inflammatory
Vitamin K in plums aids your chicken’s blood’s ability to coagulate normally.

Minerals

Animals need various minerals in their diet. Down below are some minerals that chickens can get from plums.

Potassium content of plums keep blood pressure in check and protect chickens from strokes and other problems such as kidney stones and osteoporosis.
Calcium content of plums help chickens build and maintain healthy and strong bones. The chickens’ heart, muscles and nerves also need calcium to function properly.
Magnesium content of plums helps the chickens’ body to have healthy blood sugar levels as well as a healthy heart.
Phosphorus in plums help’s your chickens’ body filter and remove waste from the kidneys. It also aids your chicken in rebuilding cells and tissues.

Fiber

Plums consist of 1.4% fiber which helps keep your chicken’s digestion system in good condition.

Are Plums Bad for Chickens?

No, plums are neither bad nor poisonous to chickens just make sure to remove the pit and prepare them properly as below. However, eating substantial amounts can cause some severe side effects like digestion issues, diarrhea and clogged arteries due to the high sugar and water content (especially in dried plums).

Do Chickens Like Plums?

Yes, chickens do like plums; they find them delicious and would happily eat them whenever they can.

Want to make sure? Watch the following video

How Much Plums Can Chickens Eat?

There is no exact rule about how much plums chickens can eat. However, plums or any snack shouldn’t make up more than 5-10% of chickens’ total daily intake. plums should be considered as treats, not as replacement for their main meal. If you feed chickens plums, it should be as a part of a well-balanced meal.

How to Feed Plums to Chickens?

Here is how you can offer plums to chickens.

It is best to seek organic plums whenever possible.
Wash the plums to remove any pesticides from the skin.
Make sure to remove the pit or stone.
chop the plums up into smaller pieces that your backyard pets can easily eat.
Mix the plums with other food that your chicken eat.
Start with a small amount of plums the first time you serve them to your chickens to see if they show any side effects. This should be done with any new food.