Can Chickens Eat Turkey Carcasses? A Complete Guide for Poultry Keepers
As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach many poultry keepers find themselves with an abundance of turkey leftovers, including the carcasses. This leaves chicken owners wondering – can chickens eat turkey carcasses? The short answer is yes, chickens can and will happily consume leftover turkey bones and carcasses with gusto. However there are some important things to keep in mind when feeding poultry any meat product. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of feeding turkey carcasses to backyard chickens.
Benefits of Feeding Turkey Carcasses to Chickens
There are several potential benefits to giving your flock leftover turkey bones and carcasses:
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Nutrition – Turkey contains high-quality protein, essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that can supplement your chickens’ regular diet. The bones provide calcium for strong eggshells.
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Cost Savings – Making use of food scraps like carcasses reduces waste and saves you money on feed costs.
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Entertainment – Chickens love to pick bones clean! It keeps them happily occupied and provides enrichment.
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Molting Support – The extra protein from meat can help chickens grow new feathers during the annual molt.
So feeding turkey carcasses allows you to make good use of food waste while giving your chickens a treat they’ll appreciate. It’s a win-win!
How to Safely Feed Turkey Carcasses to Chickens
While turkey bones can be a safe, healthy treat, proper preparation and feeding guidelines should be followed:
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Cook Thoroughly First – Raw turkey can harbor bacteria like salmonella. Always cook carcasses fully until meat falls off the bones before feeding to chickens.
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Remove Stuffing – Bread stuffing may contain seasoning unsafe for chickens. Take stuffing out before cooking the turkey.
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Allow to Cool – Let cooked carcasses cool completely before giving them to chickens to prevent burns.
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Cut or Break Into Pieces – Whole carcasses are hard for chickens to tear apart. Cut or break into smaller, more manageable pieces.
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Feed in Moderation – Turkey is a tasty treat but too much can lead to obesity. Feed carcasses occasionally, not daily.
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Supervise – Stay nearby to remove any bones or pieces too large for chickens to safely swallow.
Following these tips will let your flock enjoy turkey bones safely without issues.
Frequently Asked Questions About Feeding Turkey to Chickens
If you’re new to feeding meat to chickens, you probably have some questions. Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about feeding turkey carcasses:
Can I feed chickens raw turkey or chicken?
No, raw poultry should never be fed as it may contain salmonella bacteria. Always cook carcasses thoroughly first.
What about feeding cooked chicken bones?
Cooked chicken bones become brittle and can splinter, causing internal injuries. Stick to feeding only turkey or other large poultry bones.
How much turkey can I give my chickens?
Feed carcasses in moderation, no more than once or twice a week. Too much can lead to health issues. Give only what they can consume in a day.
Is it safe for turkeys to eat chicken carcasses?
It’s best not to feed one type of poultry carcasses to another species. Doing so risks disease transmission. Stick to turkey for turkeys and chicken for chickens.
Will turkey bones impact egg production?
Fed in moderation, turkey bones should not affect egg production. But overfeeding could lead to weight gain and other issues that impact laying.
Can I compost chicken bones?
Yes, but it’s best to crush or grind them first. Mix with carbon-rich “browns” to aid decomposition.
Can baby chicks eat turkey bones?
No, a young chick’s digestive system cannot safely handle bones. Wait until chickens are adults before feeding meat bones.
Should You Feed the Whole Turkey Carcass?
Some people wonder if they can toss the entire cooked turkey carcass into the coop and let the chickens go to town. While chickens will enjoy this, it’s safer to cut or break up the carcass into more manageable pieces first. Reasons for this include:
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Whole carcasses encourage aggression and competition between flock members as they vie for the best spots to pick.
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Smaller pieces allow more birds access to meat.
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Large bones or sharp shards are risks for choking hazards or internal punctures.
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Portions are easier to remove if you see any unsafe activity.
By cutting or breaking the carcass into chunks first, you can avoid these risks and let all your chickens enjoy the treat without issues.
What About Other Poultry?
The same guidance applies to feeding chicken, duck, goose or other poultry bones to backyard chickens. Always cook fully, allow to cool, cut into bite sizes, and feed in moderation. Stick to feeding only large poultry bones, not chicken bones which are prone to splintering.
Following these best practices will allow you to safely recycle meat scraps into nutritious supplemental treats your flock will relish.
The Verdict on Feeding Turkey Carcasses to Backyard Chickens
Cooked turkey bones are a safe, healthy supplementary food for chickens when fed properly. Your flock will relish these nutritious leftovers. Just be sure to cook thoroughly, remove stuffing, cut into bite-size pieces, feed in moderation, and supervise. With these precautions, you can put those post-holiday turkey carcasses to good use entertaining and nourishing your flock. Happy picking!
Can chickens eat a cooked turkey carcass?
FAQ
Can I give my chickens a chicken carcass?
What meat can chickens not eat?
Can chickens eat raw turkey meat?
Can chickens eat turkey carcass?
Turkey carcass itself does not provide significant hydration, and chickens should have access to clean, fresh water at all times. Chickens can digest small pieces of meat and bones, but ensure they are fed in moderation. Typically available as leftovers from festive meals or for purchase from suppliers after special occasions.
Can one have turkey and carrots?
Eating turkey and carrots is part of healthy habits. The turkey has meat like chicken and is another healthy poultry option. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, it is a source of vitamin A, fiber, potassium and vitamin B3.
Can you feed cooked turkey to chickens?
Leftover cooked turkey (or chicken) meat, skin and even the carcass is all fine to give to your chickens and a great source of protein for them. Since turkey and chicken bones splinter and we can’t give them to our dogs, the chickens always get all those leftovers.
Can chickens eat seasoned turkey meat?
Third, avoid feeding your chickens processed or seasoned turkey meat, as these may contain additives or ingredients that can be harmful to their health. Stick to plain, unseasoned turkey meat that has been cooked without any added oils, fats, or spices.
Do you give chicken carcasses?
I give mine chicken and turkey carcasses and worry also that the small bones will choke them since they attack it with such mindless frenzy (sp?) but so far so good. I quess that it could happen but so can a lot of other things so I’ll still feed it to them and just keep an eye on them.
Can birds eat turkey meat?
While they have evolved to consume different types of protein sources, including the meat of other birds, such as ducks and quails, it’s natural to wonder if they can also eat turkey meat. After all, turkeys are also members of the poultry family and share many similarities with chickens in terms of their diet and behavior.