Most of us end up with leftovers after our Christmas, Thanksgiving or Easter feast – thats part of the fun of the holidays. I am asked all the time what is okay for chickens to have and whats not.
Of course, any of these foods should be treated as “treats” and fed only in limited amounts, but go ahead and share some of the healthier portions leftover from your holiday feast with your feathered friends.
Remember to also set aside any trimmings and odds and ends as youre cooking your holiday dinner as well. Your chickens will eat all kinds of vegetable greens, skins, etc. as well as meat trimmings.
Chickens are omnivorous birds that can eat a wide variety of foods. While the bulk of their diet consists of grains, seeds, fruits and vegetables, chickens will also opportunistically eat insects, small vertebrates and even the meat of other birds when available. This leads many backyard chicken owners to wonder – can chickens eat turkey meat?
The short answer is yes, chickens can safely consume turkey meat as part of a balanced diet. Turkey provides a rich source of protein, minerals and vitamins that can benefit chicken health. However, there are some precautions owners should take when feeding chickens turkey to reduce risks.
Nutritional Benefits of Turkey for Chickens
Turkey meat contains high quality protein – about 29 grams per 100 grams of roasted turkey breast according to USDA data [1]. This protein provides chickens with essential amino acids needed for growth, muscle development, feathering and egg production.
Turkey meat also provides important vitamins and minerals that support chicken health
-
B Vitamins – Turkey contains vitamin B6, niacin, pantothenic acid and folate These aid in metabolism, nerve function and red blood cell production.
-
Selenium – Turkey is high in the antioxidant mineral selenium which supports immune function in chickens,
-
Phosphorus – Needed for bone strength, growth and egg production. Turkey provides Phosphorus.
-
Zinc – Supports feather growth and integrity. Turkey is a source of this mineral.
So in moderation, turkey can be a nutritious supplement to a chicken’s diet. It provides high quality protein, B-vitamins, and minerals that address many core nutritional needs.
Potential Risks of Feeding Chickens Turkey
While turkey meat provides benefits, some potential risks need to be managed when feeding it to backyard chickens:
1. Disease Transmission
Chickens and turkeys can transmit certain infectious diseases to each other such as avian influenza virus strains, blackhead disease and fowl typhoid [2]. To prevent disease transmission, turkey meant fed to chickens should always be thoroughly cooked. This kills any pathogens present. Raw or undercooked turkey meat poses a disease risk.
2. Nutritional Imbalances
While nutritious, turkey meat should not become a primary ingredient in a chicken’s diet. Chicken feed provides a balanced array of proteins, grains, vitamins and minerals needed for long term health. Replacing too much feed with turkey could lead to nutritional deficiencies over time.
3. Excessive Fatty Acids
The fattier dark meat turkey contains higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids than chicken meat [3]. Excess polyunsaturated fats in a chicken’s diet can depress immune function and the antioxidant system [4]. So turkey dark meat should be fed in moderation to backyard chickens.
4. Rapid Weight Gain
Being higher in fat and protein than chicken, turkey can promote rapid weight gain in chickens if overfed. This can negatively impact egg production and health. Portion control is important.
By following some basic best practices outlined below, the risks can be minimized while chickens still benefit from the nutrition turkey can provide.
Best Practices For Feeding Chickens Turkey Meat
For backyard chicken owners wanting to share leftover holiday turkey or provide turkey as an occasional treat, here are some tips:
-
Cook turkey thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F. This kills any pathogens present. Avoid raw or undercooked turkey.
-
Introduce turkey slowly and in small amounts at first to gauge reactions. Watch for signs of digestive upset.
-
Mix a few ounces of chopped turkey into feed instead of offering alone to discourage overeating.
-
Limit turkey treats to no more than 1-2 times per week to prevent nutritional imbalances.
-
Feed turkey in moderation – no more than 10% of the total diet as recommended by UC Davis [5].
-
Remove skin, fat and seasonings which can be unhealthy. Stick to plain cooked turkey meat.
-
Don’t leave turkey out for extended periods. Refrigerate promptly.
Following these precautions and practices will allow chicken owners to safely incorporate turkey as an occasional supplement to provide added nutrition and valuable protein to chickens. In moderation, turkey can be a healthy treat backyard chickens enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can chickens eat raw turkey?
Raw turkey should never be fed to chickens. Salmonella and other foodborne pathogens can be present in raw turkey and make chickens sick. Always cook turkey thoroughly before feeding to chickens.
Can chickens eat turkey bones?
Turkey bones can splinter and pose a choking hazard or internal puncture risk. For safety, remove all bones before feeding turkey to chickens.
Can chickens eat turkey organ meats?
Yes, chicken’s can eat turkey organ meats like hearts and livers in moderation. These provide added protein and nutrients. But overdoing organ meats can lead to excess vitamin A.
Can chickens eat turkey skins?
While chickens can eat turkey skins, the fats and seasonings are unhealthy. For balanced nutrition, remove the skin before feeding cooked turkey meat to chickens.
Can chickens eat turkey eggs?
It is not recommended to feed chickens turkey eggs. This poses a high risk of disease transmission between the two species. Stick to feeding chickens normal chicken eggs only.
Conclusion
References
[1] USDA FoodData Central. Turkey, meat, whole, roasted, breast meat only. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171479/nutrients
[2] The Poultry Site. Is it Safe to Keep Chickens and Turkeys Together? https://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/is-it-safe-to-keep-chickens-and-turkeys-together
[3] USDA FoodData Central. Turkey, meat, dark, raw. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171464/nutrients
[4] Poultry Science. Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and immune function. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5707697/
[5] UC Davis Veterinary Medicine. Feeding Chickens. https://vetmed.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk491/files/inline-files/Banfield-Hospital-Chicken-Care-2014_0.pdf
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__2020__06__20200617-whole-chicken-sho-spaeth-2-e50a9acff6704748898cfdbb8a28cca7.jpg)
Which Holiday Leftovers are Safe for my Chickens?
Here are some popular holiday food items and my recommendations on sharing. Lets start with some leftovers that are okay to share with your chickens:
If you think chickens are vegetarians, youve never seen them go at a turkey leg! Leftover cooked turkey (or chicken) meat, skin and even the carcass is all fine to give to your chickens and a great source of protein for them. Since turkey and chicken bones splinter and we cant give them to our dogs, the chickens always get all those leftovers. They will pick the bones clean in no time. They can also have lamb, steak or pork bones as well.
Ham
Ham, as you know, is pretty salty, so I would only give the chickens ham leftovers in extreme moderation, but a bit is fine.
Turkey or Chicken Carcass
Yup, believe it or not, as I mentioned above, your chickens will LOVE cleaning the carcass. And unlike with dogs, theres no worry about them choking on the bones or them splintering if they eat them because your chickens will be happy just plucking all the meat from the bones.
Shrimp/Fish/Lobster
Our chickens love cooked seafood of all kinds, including the shells. So if you are serving shrimp cocktail, toss them the shells and any leftovers. our chickens love cleaning the lobster shells once were done.
If theres any of your sweet potato casserole left over when dinner is over, scrape off the sugar-laden marshmallow topping and let your chickens enjoy the rest. Same goes for yams.
Salad
Of course salad, dressing and all, is fine for your chickens. They will love the lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes and other veggies.
Crudite platters are also a no-brainer to give to the chickens. You know those fruit and veggie platters that always turn up at office parties? Bring them home!
Bring home the platters of rolled meat and cheese too. As a special treat for your flock its all fine and they always have lots of leafy green garnishes too.
Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole always seems to make an appearance on holiday tables. Feel free to share any vegetable dish leftovers with your chickens.
Spinach is a nutrition powerhouse and our chickens love it. The oxalic acid in spinach can interfere with calcium absorption if fed in large amounts, but as a holiday treat its one of the more nutritious choices.
Cranberry Relish
Chickens love cranberries, so leftover cranberry sauce will be a big hit. Sure, its got sugar in it, but a little bit wont hurt them.
Deviled Eggs
Made too many deviled eggs? Share with the chickens by all means. Eggs are one of the most nutritious treats you can feed your flock, and no, feeding them eggs wont lead to unauthorized egg eating.
Rolls
Leftover rolls or bread are fine as an occasional treat. Not terribly nutritious, but certainly okay on a special occasion – like Christmas…or Thanksgiving…or Easter.
While I wouldnt make it a habit of feeding my chickens pie of any kind, a bit of leftover pumpkin pie actually has some nutritional value, so go ahead and share.
Same with apple pie, I wouldnt recommend making it a regular part of my chickens diet, but since pie isnt part of our own regular menu, when I do bake pie (any berry or fruit pie) and there are leftovers, I share with the chickens.
Now for a few leftovers I would pass on:
Skip the white potatoes. Cooked or raw, skins and flesh, they contain the toxin solanine which while not immediately fatal to chickens, can cause diarrhea, destroy red blood cells and eventually lead to heart failure.
Small amounts arent anything to worry about necessarily, but best to stay away from feeding the chickens white potatoes.
Creamed Pearl Onions
Skip the onions also. Onions contain the toxin thiosulphate which also destroys red blood cells and can cause jaundice, anemia or even death in your hens in large enough amounts.
Asparagus
Asparagus can taint the taste of your chickens eggs, so toss those leftover asparagus spears in the composts pile, not the chicken run.
Toss that leftover congealed gravy or other creamy sauce in the trash. Its mostly grease, butter, flour and salt, so not much nutritional value there.
If you make a pan scraping-based gravy or sauce thats mostly meat fats, liquid and not too salty, go ahead and share. The little bit of extra fat is good for them for some winter energy.
Our chickens dont generally eat citrus fruit. They dont seem to like it. Citrus is thought to interfere with calcium absorption and contribute to thin-shelled and fewer eggs, so I would toss any citrus fruits, but any other fruit salad is fine. Cookies
Unlike pies that contain fruits or pumpkin, cookies have little to no nutritional value so I would skip feeding left over cookies to your flock. And who ever has leftover cookies anyway!
No chocolate, no coffee grounds, and no tea bags. And no alcohol. Thats kind of common sense.
Also, nothing too salty, sweet or fried. If its not good for you, its probably not good for your chickens either. But in the spirit of the holiday, go ahead and share some of the goodies – within reason – theyll enjoy them and it wont hurt them.
This time of year they arent laying eggs anyway, so they arent expending a ton of nutrients and energy and can afford to eat a few extra treats! For a more complete list of healthy treats, click