[johnfh]

We are currently looking after our neighbours chickens (3). They seem to like apples, is it OK to give them some and how many plus any other advice on this.  Thanks.

[Squibbs]

We have quite a few apple trees and the chickens eat the fallen ones. I am sure your neighbours chickens will be happy with whatever apples they get

[Lindeggs]

If your neighbours' hens usually eat apples, then give them as many as they want.  If apples are a new food, perhaps give them half an apple a day to share, as any sudden change in diet can upset their system, and apples may give them the runs.

I enjoy eating an apple then throwing the core to my chickens.  They will take turns running around the garden with the core in their beaks, with all the others in hot pursuit. 

By the way, some websites will tell you that apple pips are toxic to chickens.  Be reassured they would have to eat a bucketload of pips in a day for there to be any toxic effects.

[Springlands]

My hens love apples - but I only give them as a treat now and again. They also love lettuce and cabbage leaves and their favourite is corn on the cob (only if bought on offer) - it is really funny to see them attack the cobs. 

[8doubles]

Make sure they do not overdo it , half an apple between the 3 per day will be fine.

One of my hens ate most of a large apple then half a raw cabbage and spent most of the afternoon in the henhouse on the perch looking very sorry for herself.
Right as rain the next day but some hens do not know when to stop.

[Casey76]

My flock are doing a fine job of clearing my windfalls this year... have yet to encounter an apple flavoured egg

[Nicki85]

I've made my chooks a metal hook which I hang various tasty veg on... Yesterday they had an apple, today sweet corn... the day before a small cabbage... You get the idea!  They loved the apple  

It's really funny watching them peck it as it swings quite freely and often bounces into them in there attempt to grab a bite!  

[Dominic]

Best wait till afternoon so they've had a good eat of the proper food.

[evie2]

The poots are funny when they get an apple, they hollow it out and leave the outside like a shell

[New shoot]

The poots are funny when they get an apple, they hollow it out and leave the outside like a shell

My banties do that.  They also do it to any overgrown courgettes they get.  Don't they know the skin is where all the vitamins are   

[Spana]

Mine get any apple peelings and cores that i have to spare and love them  

Sometimes its quite a lot but i do have a lot of hens :happy:

I gave them a load of runner beans today.  They had got left behind and grown a bit too big and the hens have been pecking them over all day.  I have read that raw runners are not good for people but i eat loads when i'm work in the veg garden, i'll let you know if all the hens are poorly tomorrow

[Craig69]

Mine like apples & pears - which I let them have every 2 or 3 days which have fallen from our trees.
I grow sweetcorn on the allotment which I love & they make me feel guilty walking past their run with it so I always give in & brake one in half for them 

[Anndee]

Why don't mine like apples 

[Spana]

Why don't mine like apples 

Perhaps your top hen doesn't like apples and the others are following her lead. 

[8doubles]

My hens did not eat apples for 2 years but a new hen ate them so now they all do.
They like plums ,strawbs and their favourite raspberries but none will eat pears.

Followers of fashion are hens !