Can Chickens Eat Chickens?

Chickens can eat practically anything, but it’s better to know which food is good for them. Can chickens eat chickens? Is it good to feed your flock with chicken meat? You’ll find the answers to those common-but-odd questions in this article below.

Can chickens eat chickens?

Yes, they can. Leftover cooked chicken meat can be a tasty addition food to chickens and they will definitely love it. However, you need to bear in mind that chicken scraps should be made from fresh meat, not rotting meat, and cut into suitable pieces.

Many people consider that chicken meat is an unhealthy treat for chicken, and doing so is unacceptable and unethical. Well, actually this kind of thing is absolutely nothing wrong and unsafe for your flock.

Chicken meat has a high level of proteins and nutrients which can incorporate into chickens’ daily meal. This kind of meat provides proteins of high biological value and vitamins mainly coming from the B complex.

The B complex contains Niacin or vitamin B3, which is crucial for the metabolism of fats and sugars, as well as playing a part in maintaining healthy cells. What’s more, it also contains minerals such as magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc.

You should consider feeding your flock the most nutritious parts of chicken meat, for example, the breast. This “white meat” is a great source of lean protein which is low in fat and offers a wide range of nutrients for very few calories. Hence, it will preserve a healthier metabolism.

Read More: Can Chickens Eat Uncooked Tomatoes? If you have tons of garden tomatoes, you may want to give some to your chickens. We share how to feed tomatoes the right way!

Do chickens eat their flock?

Well, it is hard to believe but chickens do eat their flock. To further explain, chickens are omnivores which means they will be none the wiser about exactly what they are eating.

Sometimes, chickens attack and hurt the others living in the same flock or even eat their living “housemate” to satisfy their hunger. And, a dead chicken usually becomes a “good meal” for the rest of its flock.

Be sure to check your chickens every day so that the above situation will not ever happen. If there is any chicken that has injuries or lost feathers by other birds, you need to keep him in a separate place until the wound is healed.

Read our related article, Can Chickens Eat Cucumbers Skin? Learn why and how you should feed cucumbers to your flock in this guide!

Feeding chicken meat to chickens

You are safe to feed chickens pretty much any chicken meat, however, be sure that it must be fresh. There are some notes that you need to follow when you feed chicken meat to your birds.

First of all, only feed fresh meat. Bear in mind that feeding your flock rotten meat is completely unsafe for them. Dead chickens, old and sick ones can contain bacteria which prevents your backyard chickens build up a strong resistance.

Secondly, some takeaway dishes that you buy from street vendors or restaurants like a firecracker or canned and packaged chicken usually has no nutritive value for your feathered friends. What’s more, it is usually high in salt which is definitely detrimental to your flock’s health.

Thirdly, fried chicken is unhealthy for these little birds. As you know, to produce chicken with a crispy brown outside and juicy, you have to coat chicken pieces with a thin layer of flour, crumbs, or batter. Besides, through the frying process, the fat content will be added to each chicken piece. All those additives can be bad for chickens.

Fourthly, the leftover raw chicken needs to be fully cooked. Leave it in a boiling water pot might be the fastest way which can also keep the maximum nutritional value intact. Remember that the bones and feathers should be removed to prevent injuries for your birds.

Lastly, a balanced diet plays a vital role for your chickens to function properly and avoid potential diseases. Since chicken meat contains a lot of protein, providing it once a day is enough. Besides, just lower its portion if you want to add other foods.

Read our related article, Can Chickens Eat Pineapple Scaps? Are pineapples safe treats for your chickens? learn more before feeding this tropical fruit to your flock!

Conclusion

After gaining a deep insight into the question “can chicken eat chicken?”, now we all know the answer. With some notes above, I am sure your chicken farm will grow better. Follow us for more useful information about animal life.