Do you know what the 10 most popular Thanksgiving dishes are? I had my suspicions and after a quick internet search, I am happy to say I got most of the list right! And let me tell you, I have a few personal favorites on this list.
Roast Turkey
Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes
Green Bean Casserole
Corn
Sweet Potatoes
Brussel Sprouts
Cranberry Sauce
Pecan Pie
Pumpkin Pie
If your family is anything like mine, we cook for a crowd and always have plenty of leftovers to go around and that includes letting my chickens feast on the leftovers.
My only caution with sharing Thanksgiving leftovers with your chickens is to be careful with what they can and can’t eat.
Let’s breakdown the top 10 most popular Thanksgiving dishes and talk about what leftovers you can share with your chickens.
Photo Credit: HGTV
Roast Turkey
Yes, it is safe to feed your chickens leftover turkey and what most people don’t know is that chickens get a lot of entertainment cleaning the carcasses. Plus, a little extra protein if they are molting in the autumn also never hurts.
Stuffing
No, sorry but your girls are going to need to pass on the second most popular dish! It is true that chickens love bread, but stuffing is typically highly salted, and chickens are susceptible to salt poisoning. So, it is best to avoid feeding this dish to them.
Mashed Potatoes
No, our recommendation is to avoid giving them white potatoes. Some sources say they can have them in moderation, but we think it is best to not. Potatoes can contain the toxin solanine that can cause diarrhea.
Green Bean Casserole
Yes! This leftover vegetable is ok to share with your chickens. And green beans can serve as a source of nutrition for your hens.
Corn
Yes, you can feed raw, cooked, or dried corn to your chickens. A tip would be to not over salt or butter the cooked corn that you give them. Corn should be fed in moderation and consider it “treat” for your chickens.
Sweet Potatoes
Yes, feel free to give your girls left over sweet potatoes. If you happened to make sweet potato casserole, remove the marshmallow topping before sharing it with your hens. No one needs that much sugar. Ha!
Brussel Sprouts
Yes! Brussel sprouts are a healthy vegetable that you can feed to your chickens. Brussel sprouts are a powerhouse when it comes to nutrition. They are high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Cranberry Sauce
It’s a yes. Chickens love cranberries on their own or mixed into recipes. If you add a lot of sugar to your cranberry sauce, remember to feed it in moderation.
And now it is time for dessert!
Pecan Pie
Yes, chickens can eat pecan pie but here comes the sugar warning again. Just make sure it is a treat and fed in moderation. Chickens can eat most kinds of nuts including walnuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios and more.
Pumpkin Pie
Yes, like pecan pie it is ok for chickens but make it an occasional treat. Pumpkin does have some nutritional value providing calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
I hope this little guide was helpful and that you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Until next time,
-The Wing Lady