Brussels sprouts are delicious, healthy food for humans, and we all know that chickens love some extra veggies in their diet. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that chickens love Brussels sprouts! These vegetables are a great choice for chickens as long as they’re prepped in healthy ways to make them manageable. Chickens are omnivores and healthy veg are an important part of their diet.
What Parts of Brussels Sprouts Can Chickens Eat?
Chickens can eat the small round sprouts you cook for your own consumption, but you don’t have to stop there. All parts of these plants are edible, especially the stalks and the leaves. Chickens love the leaves when they’re shredded or chopped up, and the stalks are delicious if they are cooked to be soft enough for them to handle.
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Preparing Brussels Sprouts for Chickens
Although chickens love Brussels sprouts, it can be hard to process them when they are whole and raw. If you choose to feed your chicken raw Brussels sprouts, chop them up finely so they won’t be a choking hazard or difficult to swallow. Raw Brussels sprouts do have the advantage of extra nutrition.
Another option is to plain roast, boil, or steam your Brussels sprouts. This helps soften up the Brussels sprouts and gives them a delicious flavor. We don’t recommend roasting them with oil or stir-frying, however. And while we might love a little bit of salt and seasoning in our sprouts, chicken feed is safest if it is plain.
Once you’ve prepped your sprouts, you can feed them on their own a treat or mix them into your normal feed for an extra-healthy meal. You can also freeze chopped Brussels sprouts in an ice cube for a fun snack on a hot day.
Health Benefits of Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a great healthy treat for chickens, with lots of nutritional value. Here are just a few of the nutrients found in Brussels sprouts that your chicken might benefit from.
Fiber
Chickens love fiber in their diet, and Brussels sprouts are full of it. One cup of Brussels sprouts has 3.3 grams of fiber. This fiber will help your chickens digest happily, keeping them healthy, hungry, and in a good mood. A high-fiber diet also reduces the risk of health issues.
Manganese
Manganese is an essential mineral that has a big impact on eggshell quality, so it is super important for chickens. It helps eggs to develop properly and will make healthy eggs that won’t crack easily.
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Protein
Chickens need some protein in their diet, and Brussels sprouts have 3 grams of protein per cup. This will help your chickens grow and have healthy muscles as well as sufficient energy throughout the day.
