Can your flock of backyard chickens eat grapes? Giving chickens kitchen scraps and fridge clean-out food is a great way to decrease your food waste and give your backyard chickens a little extra love.
It’s easy to give your chickens scraps and leftovers and assume they’ll be able to eat all of them without issue. But the truth is, not all kitchen scraps are safe for chickens.
Some animals, like dogs really should not have grapes due to potentially harmful compounds specific to K-9s found in fresh grapes and raisins. Naturally you might be asking yourself, can and should my chickens eat grapes? Fortunately grapes are absolutely fine for chickens and can be a sweet treat for your backyard friends. Grapes also have a few health benefits for your feathered friends.
How do you serve grapes to chickens?
I like to serve my chickens grapes by simply giving them whatever leftover or past-their-peak grapes we have sitting around. This means they are often still on the vine, and rarely cut or cleaned. If the grapes are leftover from a meal or incorporated in a leftover fruit salad they are often times cut and cleaned. My chickens enjoy them either way and yours should too.
How many grapes should you feed your chickens?
Grapes should be fed to chickens only in moderation. It is important that chickens especially egg layers are getting plenty of protein and other nutrients from fresh pasture foraging or pelleted feed. Treat grapes as a special treat when you have some leftover and don't want to throw them away.
Why Grapes Are Healthy for Chickens
Grapes are a sweet juicy treat for your chickens, but they also may provide some healthy benefits. Grapes are full of vitamins and minerals that chickens need to thrive. They are also filled with antioxidants which can be a healthy addition to your chickens diet. In moderation grapes can be a small part of keeping your backyard flock happy and healthy.
More Resources on Raising Backyard Chickens
- Raising chickens 101
- Can chickens eat squash
- What not to feed your chickens