[YoungChickenLover]

I never give mine scraps, but when we didn't carve a pumpkin for Halloween, I sliced it for them and they loved it!! Can I just ask, does spaghetti that you've specially boiled for Chooks count as kitchen scraps? It's been confusing me!!

[jobyhere]

No it does not -  lets me sensible about this.   Buying and preparing things for your chickens is not giving them " leftovers" which is what scraps is. Its just making sure you dont cross contaminate.

I also grow veggies for the girls and to be honest chopping lettuce is far too complicated and so ripped and thrown into the run is great for my girls.    letuce, spinach, salad leaves  etc.   

[joyfull]

Technically cooking it just for your chickens doesn't make it scraps however cooked spaghetti is mainly a carbohydrate - the protein content is just 7 grams per 100 grams whereas it contains 44 grams of carbs.  So really it would be better if you gave them their layers pellets or mash along with dark leafy greens to help them absorb calcium (which should be provided all day in the form of crushed oyster shell) and for a treat a little bit of mixed corn.

[Daamoot]

...which should be provided all day in the form of crushed oyster shell) and for a treat a little bit of mixed corn.

I don't normally organise my menu to benefit the chookz but if oyster shells are good for them, that's enough of an excuse for me to treat them [and myself ofc] 

[mumofstig]

You don't have to eat oysters 
ground oyster shells for chickens

[Trillium]

Potatoes belong to the family solanine, the deadly nightshade family. The problem with raw peelings is that if left a bit too long, even a few hours, the green solanine poison develops and can kill your chickens. You can always peel potatoes and immediately give them to your chickens but you can't guarantee that a few won't be missed and eaten much later when they're very toxic. My mother once gave her chickens raw peelings and several died so we know firsthand it happens.

To be absolutely safe, it's best to give them boiled peelings as the solanine can no longer become active.

[Craigx]

i boil mine for 40 mins just to make sure of no problems..

but saying that, i boil my potatoes that long to lol
Craig

[joyfull]

Please remember it is illegal in the UK to feed kitchen scraps to chickens - whether boiled or not.

[8doubles]

They've just mugged me for a dish of spaghetti I happened to be carrying around the garden, honest Guv! 

I no longer give my hens pasta as one greedy hen got more than her share developed sour crop and died despite being treated !

If it congeals in the crop like it does left in a saucepan i can understand the cause.

[YoungChickenLover]

Thanks for the spaghetti clarification! We only give it occasionally, and seeing them attack it like worms is very cute 

[Oliveview]

Our neighbours gave our hens really mouldy bread and olives, along with the vinegar, garlic and pickled peppers, I was not happy, took me ages to clean it all up

Pamela

[devonbarmygardener]

We give our girls homegrown fresh greens.

We hang them up just above their beaks and they jump for it. Keeps them occupied for ages.

They enjoy a little treat of canary seed too

[Daamoot]

Please remember it is illegal in the UK to feed kitchen scraps to chickens - whether boiled or not.

Are you sure about that?  According to Defra you have to avoid animal by-products:

Catering waste is defined as 'all waste food including used cooking oil originating in restaurants, catering facilities and kitchens, including central kitchens and household kitchens'.

Following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in 2001, the Government introduced a ban on the feeding to animals of catering waste that contains or has been in contact with animal by-products (ABPs). This ban was subsequently reflected by the EU Animal By-Products Regulation and became mandatory in all Member States.

The ban includes the use of Used Cooking Oils (UCOs) originating in restaurants, catering facilities and kitchens, including central kitchens and household kitchens.

Ofc this may not be the full story or contradicted elsewhere but let me know if you find that.

Good idea with the fresh greens.  Nice for the hens and I imagine quite entertaining to watch 

[ANHBUC]

Please remember it is illegal in the UK to feed kitchen scraps to chickens - whether boiled or not.

Are you sure about that?  According to Defra you have to avoid animal by-products:

Catering waste is defined as 'all waste food including used cooking oil originating in restaurants, catering facilities and kitchens, including central kitchens and household kitchens'.

Following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in 2001, the Government introduced a ban on the feeding to animals of catering waste that contains or has been in contact with animal by-products (ABPs). This ban was subsequently reflected by the EU Animal By-Products Regulation and became mandatory in all Member States.

The ban includes the use of Used Cooking Oils (UCOs) originating in restaurants, catering facilities and kitchens, including central kitchens and household kitchens.

Ofc this may not be the full story or contradicted elsewhere but let me know if you find that.

Good idea with the fresh greens.  Nice for the hens and I imagine quite entertaining to watch 

I think the highlighted areas cover it.  Any kitchen waste could potentially have been in contact with animal by products.

This post from joyfull explains it more
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=93845.0     

[devonbarmygardener]

Good idea with the fresh greens.  Nice for the hens and I imagine quite entertaining to watch 

Very entertaining!!