Alright pal, you remember how I was tellin’ ya ’bout the time I fed them baby chicks o’ mine some grapes when they were gettin’ fussy?
Well it got me thinkin’ – these little buggers might like a snack every now and then, so I done did some research to figure out if grapes is a good idea or if I’ll just end up with a coop full o’ chickens with stomach aches!
Turns out grapes is one o’ the few fruits them chickadees can actually digest real good.
Who’da thunk? Most fruits is too acidic for ’em but grapes is kinda mushy inside so it breaks down nicer in their tummies.
I did some sniffin’ around online and found a bunch o’ farm websites sayin’ grapes is full o’ vitamins, minerals, ‘n natural sugars that give the peeps energy.
The antioxidants ‘n plant stuff in ’em is also good for their overall health ‘n growth.
Now you may be thinkin’ “alright Tanner, grapes sounds good an’ all but how much can I feed ’em before their tummies start churnin’?”
Well thanks for askin’, partner, cause I done did the research on that too so you don’t end up with a coop full of blue birds!
Table of Contents
The Skinny On How Much Grapes Is Too Much
While a grape or two here ‘n there as a special treat ain’t gonna hurt them peeps none, you wanna be careful not to go overboard or feed it to ’em every single day.
Too many grapes can give ’em an upset tummy faster than a tornado in a trailer park.
From what all the farm websites ‘n chicken experts say, a good rule o’ thumb is to only offer about 1-2 grapes total per chick each day, broken up into little pieces or crushed up real fine like in their food or water.
That way they eat it slow instead o’ gobblin’ it all down at once.
Now you may be one o’ them types that likes to push your luck.
I know I’d be tempted to give ’em a few extra grapes cause they was eatin’ it up so fast! But just remember, moderation is key here.
Too many grapes too often could give them fragile little tummies a bad case o’ the runs faster than you can say “holy moley!”.
Also, it’s best to only use grapes as a very small part o’ their overall diet instead o’ their main source o’ nutrition.
Baby chickens still need lots o’ good protein, vitamins, minerals, ‘n such from things like chick starter feed, scrambled eggs, ‘n whatever else you like to give ’em.
So in summary – a grape or two here ‘n there split between all them peeps is a-okay as a nice occasional treat.
But don’t go over-indulgin’ them or their systems will end up more sour than a lemon! Spread it out, keep portions small, and don’t make it an everyday thing if you want happy, healthy chicks.
Which Variety Of Grapes Is Best For Baby Chicks?
Alright, so we covered how much – now what ABOUT the type o’ grapes? When it comes to choosin’ grapes for them peeps, most folks recommend seedless varieties like green or red grapes.
That’s cause seedless grapes are a bit easier for baby chickens to digest since they don’t have no pesky seeds gettin’ stuck in their crops.
You definitely wanna remove any seeds beforehand just to be safe so they don’t try to eat ’em.
Some websites also say organic grapes are a better choice over conventional since organic grapes ain’t been sprayed with as many pesticides ‘n stuff that baby chicks don’t need in their system.
Those extra chemicals could play heck on their little tummies.
Me personally, I like to give mine the smaller red seedless grapes cause they break down real nice ‘n easy when I mash ’em up fine.
Them green grapes is always crunchy no matter how much I squash ’em! But red or green, seedless is the way to go for digestibility.
Overall I’d say red seedless grapes is your best bet, but green grapes should be just fine in a pinch too as long as you de-seed them puppies first before the peeps go to town!
The Best Way To Feed Grapes To Baby Chickens
Alright pal, final tip here on the proper grape-feedin’ technique so you don’t end up with a whole flock o’ chickens chokin’ on grape skins like people at an all-you-can-eat buffet.
The safest way is to mash or chop them grapes up real small.
I like to take my grapes, lay ’em on a cutting board, and go at ’em with a potato masher till they’re all squished up like purple mush.
This makes much smaller, easier to swallow pieces for baby beaks.
Then I either mix the smashed grapes in with their starter feed or water it down a bit in their drinkin’ dish so they can pick at it throughout the day.
The water helps ’em eat it slow instead o’ tryna swallow big chunks whole!
And don’t forget – clean up any leftover grape bits before bed so they don’t get all dried out ‘n wasted.
You paid good money for them snacks, so may as well make the most o’ what the peeps will eat up.
Keepin’ An Eye Out For Side Effects
Now I know I already covered the main do’s and don’ts of feeding grapes, but it never hurts to be vigilant about how them peeps react afterward too, know what I mean?
Their little tummies can be more delicate than wet tissue paper, so it’s smart to keep an eye out for any signs they might not be agreein’ with the grapes too well.
Things like diarrhea, scruffy/ruffled feathers, lack of energy or appetite could mean their systems are feelin’ a might sour.
If you notice any of that within a day or two, it’s best to lay off the grapes for a spell and make sure to keep ’em hydrated.
Most times a bout of runs or such will clear up on its own in a day or so.
But if symptoms don’t improve, consult a local vet just to be safe.
It also doesn’t hurt to stay nearby when you first offer grapes, just in case any o’ the more sensitive peeps starts actin’ peculiar.
Bein’ observant after treat time allows you to catch any potential issues nice and early before they escalate.
And who knows, with your watchful eye you might even get a kick out of their adorable reactions to tryin’ somethin’ new and yummy!
Storin’ Leftover Grapes Properly
Alright, so what if you end up with some grapes the chicks don’t polish off? No sense in lettin’ good food go to waste, am I right?
The key is stowing any leftovers in a sealed container or ziploc bag in the fridge right away so they last longer.
Grapes don’t retain maximum freshness at room temp for more than a day or two tops.
If you store ’em cold, crushed or whole grapes should be fine for about a week give or take.
Just pull out what you need each day, let it come to room temp before serving, and wipe away any spoiled spots.
With a lil’ fridge love, even partial bunches of grapes can be a fun treat for days!
Then when they finally do turn, compost the extras instead of chuckin’ ’em in the garbage.
Freezin’ Grapes For Future Snack Times
You know, grapes also freeze really well for keeping on hand when fresh ain’t available.
Simply wash, de-seed, and lay ’em out in a single layer on a freezer-safe tray before putting it in the deep freeze.
Once frozen solid, transfer the grapes to an airtight freezer bag or container for long-term storage.
Frozen grapes will keep their shape, color, and most of their nutrients for upwards of 6 months or more.
Then when you want a tasty treat, just thaw some out and serve!
Freezin’ is a nifty way to always have grapes on stock for whenever the pecks get peckish.
Servin’ Up Grapes As An Enrichment Activity
You know, chickens sure do love interactin’ with their food almost as much as eatin’ it.
So grapes can also make for a fun enrichment activity to engage them peeps both mentally and physically.
Try stringin’ whole grapes onto pieces of yarn or string and hangin’ them up around the coop at peckin’ height.
This’ll encourage them chicks to hunt, peck, and problem-solve to get the tasty rewards hangin’ above.
You could also scatter halved or crushed grapes throughout their play area to discover.
Addin’ a lil’ forage and hunt element keeps chickens entertained and uses their natural instincts.
So grapes can bring both nutrition and fun when part of imaginative free-range activities.
