I grew up raising chickens with my Pops, so I know a thing or two about keeping those birds happy and healthy.
Last night, I was chopping up some onions to throw in my famous chicken noodle soup.
Once I peeled those pearly whites, I ended up with a nice little pile of papery onion skins. I figured, why waste ’em?
So I brought those peelings out to the coop to see if my chickens would gobble them up.
Well, let me tell you, those ladies wanted nothing to do with those leftovers!
They took one look at those skins and kept on pecking at their feed like I wasn’t even there.
Guess my chickens are too good for onion peels!
After that experience, it got me wondering – do chickens really eat onion peels after all? So I did some digging, asked some fellow chicken farmers, and discovered the answer.
Yes, chickens can and will eat onion skins and peels.
But you shouldn’t make those peelings a significant part of their diet.
Keep reading to get the full scoop on feeding onions to chickens straight from this farm boy.
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Why Aren’t Onion Peels Ideal for Chickens?
Now don’t get me wrong, chooks can eat onions and those paper-like peels all day long if you let them.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean they should.
There’s a few reasons why those leftovers aren’t the best snack for your flock:
First off, onion peels are mostly made of fiber.
There’s very little protein, vitamins, or nutrients in those dry skins.
While the fiber keeps their digestive tract moving, chickens need a balanced diet with carbs, vitamins, minerals, fats, and amino acids. Onion skins just don’t provide much beyond roughage.
Second, too many onion peels can actually bind up your chickens and give them diarrhea.
I learned this the hard way as a kid when I dumped half a bag worth of peelings in the pen.
Let’s just say it wasn’t a pretty clean-up job! Turns out too much insoluble fiber from the skins can cause loose stools.
So those peels are best as an occasional treat.
There’s also a risk of pesticide exposure if you don’t buy organic onions.
Many conventional onions are sprayed with chemicals and fungicides during growth.
While a little exposure here and there likely won’t harm chickens, large amounts could potentially cause issues.
Finally, onions belong to the allium family.
Other alliums like garlic and leeks contain compounds that can cause hemolytic anemia if consumed in large quantities over time.
There’s likely very little risk from occasional onion peels. But it’s something to keep in mind before dumping a 50 pound sack of skins into your coop!
The bottom line – while chickens can eat onion skins, peels provide minimal nutritional value. Too many can cause digestive upset or contamination.
So it’s best to look at onion leftovers as a supplemental treat!
Benefits of Feeding Some Onion Peels
Now that I’ve scared you off from filling up your birds with onion skins, let’s talk benefits. There’s a few good reasons you may want to share some peels occasionally:
A little extra fiber can promote good digestion and keep your chickens regular. The insoluble fiber in peels helps move waste smoothly through the intestines. Just don’t overdo it!
Tossing the occasional peel into the feed mix adds variety to your chickens’ diet. A diverse diet promotes better gut and overall health. So offering peels, veggies, fruit, greens, sprouts etc along with feed gives a balanced menu.
Sharing peels puts food waste to use rather than sending it to the landfill. One person’s scraps are another chicken’s treasure! Composting peels is also an option if the birds don’t eat them up.
Peels contain small amounts of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. So while they aren’t nutritional powerhouses, they offer a little extra nutrition.
The quercetin and other compounds may offer antioxidant effects and support immune health. Though amounts from peels are likely minimal.
A few peels can be a fun treat for your chickens! Who doesn’t love a good snack every now and then? Just don’t let them fill up on empty calories!
So in small amounts, onion peels can provide a little nutritional value and benefit.
The key is keeping them as an occasional supplement, not a daily menu staple.
How Much Onion Peel Can Chickens Eat?
Moderation is key when feeding onion peels to chickens.
Here are some guidelines on safe amounts:
– No more than 1-2 peels per chicken per day
I recommend starting with just a half peel or so to see if they even like them! Then you can work up to 1-2 small skins max.
– Peels should make up less than 10% of total diet
Figure a handful of peels per few pounds of feed. Sprinkle some in their feeder, but don’t overwhelm their usual diet.
– Avoid feeding peels from more than 1 onion per day
A single onion peel here and there is plenty. Too many onions can cause toxicity issues over time.
– Watch for signs of digestive upset
Loose manure, lack of appetite, or changes in behavior may signal too many peels. Discontinue feeding immediately if these crop up.
– Mix peels into feed rather than offering free choice
Chickens may engorge on an unlimited pile of peelings. Blending into feed lets you control quantity.
I like to collect onion skins from a few onions throughout the week.
Then I’ll mix a portion of those dried peels into my flock’s scratch grains a couple times a week. This gives them a little supplemental fiber and nutrients without disrupting their normal diet.
The Best Way to Feed Onion Peels
If you want to share some onion skins or peels with your feathered friends, here are my tips for dishing them out right:
– Chop or shred peels into smaller pieces
Whole peels can be tough for chickens to break apart and eat. Snipping them up makes nibbling easier.
– Dry out raw peels before feeding
Fresh moist peels can spoil quickly. Letting them air dry helps them keep longer.
– Mix dried peels into regular feed
Stir some shredded peels right into their normal grains for even distribution and controlled portions.
– Provide peels sparingly 1-2 times per week
A few peels here and there is plenty. Feed as an occasional treat, not a mainstay.
– Monitor manure and health after feeding
Ensure the extra fiber isn’t causing loose stool. Also watch for any decrease in appetite, energy, etc.
– Prevent chickens from overindulging on peels
Offer peels blended into feed rather than free-choice. Chickens are gluttons and may overeat!
– Remove uneaten peels within 24 hours
Toss out any leftovers quickly to prevent spoilage or flies hanging around.
Following these tips will let you safely provide some onion skins as supplemental snacks without disrupting your chickens’ normal healthy diet.
The Onion Peel Debate in Poultry Diets
Can chickens eat onion peels? You betcha! But just because they can doesn’t mean excess peelings would be good for them.
The key is moderation.
While the occasional onion skin tossed into feed provides harmless variety, making them a significant part of your chickens’ diet could cause issues.
Limit peel treats to a few times a week and just 1-2 skins per bird daily.
Mix into their feed to control portions.
Watch for any signs of digestive upset or decreased appetite after feeding.
If you follow these tips, you can put food waste to use and provide a nutritious nibble without disruption your flock’s health!
