Can Chicken Eat Dragon Fruit? – animalsatfarm

Approximately 2,000 different types of fruit are eaten in various parts of the world. Furthermore, some fruits have subtypes, such as apples, which have 7,500 varieties grown globally.

The dragon fruit is one of them from these 2000 fruit types.

Interestingly, chickens can eat almost every type of fruit. However, some chicken owners wonder if chickens can safely eat dragon fruit.

The reliable answer is that dragon fruit is very beneficial for chicken health, and they also enjoy eating it.

Usually, dragon fruit is considered a cooling fruit due to its nutrient properties.

Feeding dragon fruit to chickens in the summer can help make them more heat-resistant.

Other questions, such as how, why, and when to feed it, will be discussed in the rest of the guide.

So, grab a piece of dragon fruit and offer it to your chicken after reading each benefit until half the fruit is gone.

Don’t worry, it’s just my writing style. I write articles with the same enthusiasm that my chickens have for eating watermelon in the summer. Let’s get back to our topic.

Is Dragon Fruit Safe for Chickens to Eat?

Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, is a famous and expensive food worldwide. It generally contains all essential nutrients that are good for chickens and birds, being typically loaded with vitamins and antioxidants.

Some fruits that chickens want to eat have side effects; for instance, tomatoes, which chickens like, are toxic for them. On the other hand, some fruits that chickens don’t prefer are actually beneficial for their health.

I just want to mention that dragon fruit is one of the fruits that chickens enjoy eating & it also provides healthy nutrients.

However, one side effect of feeding dragon fruit is that it is high in sugar, which can cause obesity in birds. So, you should monitor your chickens’ health after giving them this treat.

Do Dragon Fruit Provide Nutrients for Chickens?

Dragon fruit is considered a good source of vitamins and antioxidants for both humans and birds. Although this fruit is low in calories, it is full of other vitamins and nutrients that chickens need.

Chickens that obtain nutrients and vitamins from their daily routine feed may also enjoy eating treats, whether vegetables or fruits.

Below are a few major nutrients and vitamins in dragon fruit that provide quick energy for chickens:

Dragon fruit contains:

1. Fat
2. Iron
3. Fiber
4. Calories
5. Proteins
6. Vitamin C
7. Vitamin E
8. Magnesium
9. Carbohydrates

Let’s explain some of them:

Iron:

Usually, iron is good for chickens’ health. It improves their immune system, helping them defend against diseases. Although chickens can get iron from meat, dragon fruit can also be provided as a source of this nutrient.

Vitamin E:

Vitamin E is generally useful in egg production and helps improve the condition of damaged muscles and nerves in birds and chickens. Other sources of vitamin E include almonds, pumpkin, mangoes, and avocados.

Magnesium:

This is another nutrient found in dragon fruit. Magnesium is beneficial for bone growth in chickens and birds. Pumpkin is also a good source of magnesium.

Are Dragon Fruit Peels Safe for Chickens?

Dragon fruit is usually available in different colors, such as pink, green, or yellow. Just like the flesh of the dragon fruit, the peels are also completely safe for chickens and contain healthy nutrients.

Dragon fruit peels can reduce body fat, which definitely improves chicken health.

Dragon fruit peels contain some bioactive compounds like phenolic compounds, betacyanins, and dietary fibers. Phenolic compounds increase the immune system in broilers & sources of this compound are grapes and berries.

Here’s below are some points that indicate why dragon fruit peels are safe:

• Non-toxic: Dragon fruit peels are considered non-toxic for human & chicken consumption, containing no harmful substances that would pose a risk to their health.
• Fast Growth: These peels contain some compounds that aid in fast growth.

How to Serve Dragon Fruit to Chickens?

Usually, regardless of the fruits that chickens want to eat, any food not made for chickens is considered a treat. Treats should always be given in limited and moderate quantities. If you feed a whole dragon fruit to your chickens, it can cause digestive issues. Here are some steps to follow:

• Wash: Some sprays are used to ripen fruits quickly, but these sprays are made from chemicals that are harmful to chickens. So, wash the dragon fruit before serving it to the chickens.
• Cut The fruit: Chickens like to eat small pieces of food. So, if your chickens don’t want to eat this fruit, cutting it into small pieces may make it more appealing to them.
• Mix with Other Foods (Optional): Chicken often likes to eat mixed fruits. So, mix dragon fruit with other vegetables or foods.

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