Root vegetables called turnips are delicious and have many uses. For use in soups, as a side dish, or grated in salads, it can be eaten raw or cooked. Additionally, they are loaded with nutrition, and while healthy for people to eat, you may wonder, can chickens eat turnips?
Luckily, you’ll find chickens eat turnips quite happily. They contain many vitamins and minerals your chickens need. However, trying to eat turnips raw can be tricky, so you’ll need to prepare these or consider raw turnip greens and possibly mustard greens.
Turnip tops can make a great healthy treat for chickens and other animals such as rabbits. In our guide, you can learn more about can chickens eat turnips and the turnips tops.
By the end, you’ll see what goes into the tasty treat and how this healthy snack can improve your chickens’ egg production. (Read Can Chickens Eat Broccoli Stems)
Can Chickens Eat Turnips Greens?
Yes, chickens can eat turnip greens. You’ll find turnip greens good sources of calcium, iron, potassium, and vitamins A and C. The leafy greens that grow on top of turnips are known as “turnip greens,” and these belong to the same vegetable family as broccoli and kale.
All the whole turnip plant can be eaten, and it offers chickens some valuable nutritional content. This includes the turnip, the stems, and the leafy tops. Turnip greens have the highest nutritional content, so it should be no surprise that they’re fantastic for chickens.
In addition to a tailored feed, the variety of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants will benefit chickens.
The Benefits of Turnip Greens for Chickens
Turnip greens have many ways for chickens to eat, and all are healthy. Greens are an excellent source of vitamins A and C and minerals like calcium and iron. Turnip greens also contain antioxidants to help chickens avoid illness.
Turnip greens offer a great source of fiber, which helps keep chickens healthy and promotes digestion. Fiber is vital for all chickens, but it’s especially important for elderly birds or those prone to stomach disorders.
Finally, turnip greens are low-calorie and can help chickens lose or maintain a healthy weight. You may want to boost your chickens’ diet with fruits and vegetables if you feed them turnip greens regularly.
What is The Nutritional Value of Turnip Greens?
Turnip greens offer a wonderful nutritional standpoint for chickens.
They’re a good source of vitamins and fiber and contain glucosinolates, a cancer-preventive chemical. Cooked or raw turnips provide several benefits for chickens.
Boost Immune System
Turnips are a good source of vitamin C, which guards the body against oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin C-high diets for chickens tend to prevent illness very quickly and helps recovery from disease if they become ill. (Read Can Chickens Have Mashed Potatoes)
Promote Bone Health
Turnips are an excellent source of calcium and vitamin K. The metabolism of bones benefits from the presence of vitamin K. When combined with calcium, it helps strengthen the bones by making them denser.
Protect the Liver
It has been demonstrated that the anthocyanins and sulfur compounds found in turnips, such as glucosinolates, have a beneficial effect on the liver.
How to Feed Turnip Greens to Chickens
There are two things to be mindful of while providing vegetables and leafy greens to chickens:
Despite not having teeth, chickens have little trouble tearing apart and devouring vegetables. Chickens quickly consume turnip greens and other leafy greens. You can slice them, but it’s best to dump them into your chicken’s coop.
Turnip greens are edible to chickens, but they should be introduced gradually. Turnip greens can be incorporated into their daily diet in tiny amounts and then steadily increased.
It can be challenging to eat raw turnips because of how rough they are.
Here are 3 approaches to encourage baby chicks and adult hens to eat these tasty and healthy root vegetables.
- Cook Turnips: Boil or steam turnips for 10-20 minutes. You can cook whole turnips or sliced ones, although once cooked, let them cool before allowing your chickens to start eating turnips.
- Grating Turnips: Due to the turnip’s small parts, a grated halved turnip is a fantastic way to feed turnips. They will be able to eat and digest food more readily.
- To have enough grated turnip to feed the chickens, clean them first.
- Mash Turnips: Chickens aren’t a picky eater, and mashed make it easier to eat everything.
Feeding a Balanced Diet to Backyard Chickens
You should feed chickens vegetables, fruits, and other nutritious items in moderation. 90% of a chicken’s diet should be designed chicken feed.
Feeds for chickens are designed to suit all their nutritional needs, which is especially important for laying hens. Turnip greens, other green vegetables, fruits, and leftover food should be a reward for chickens. (Read Can Bearded Dragons Eat Jalapenos)
Other Foods Chickens Can Eat
If you wish to experiment with other foods and table scraps (or recycle leftovers), most foods are okay for chickens.
Beans and some vegetables aren’t good for chickens, but most vegetables are. Give your flock spaghetti, squash, beets, sweet potatoes, green beans, etc., and they’ll eat any leftovers. You can even add a little garlic powder to add more flavor.
Most fruits are fine because they’re nutrient-dense—berry, fig, apple, banana, etc. Both wild and commercial chickens eat grains. Wheat, quinoa, oats, etc., will be enjoyed by your feathered friends.
Note: Ensure you avoid green potatoes or other vegetable leaves from the nightshade family, as these can be harmful.
Onions in large quantities can cause anemia and sometimes be fatal.
Coffee grounds are something else to keep your chickens away from.
FAQs
Chickens can eat turnip greens, and they are nutritious. Here are a few other bits of information regarding this type of food.
How Much And How Often To Feed Turnip To Chickens
Turnips are healthy for chickens but should be fed in moderation as turnips lack all the nourishment chickens need. Instead, feed chickens commercial feed daily as this suits your chickens’ needs.
They should eat 10% turnips once or twice a week. Rotate turnips with other vegetables.
Other Vegetable Chickens Can Eat
Lettuce
Lettuce is good to feed chickens as long as it is the Romaine lettuce variety. Iceberg lettuce contains the least nutrition.
Spinach
Spinach is a superfood full of vitamins and minerals. These leafy greens are nutritious and easy for chickens to eat, cooked or raw.
Leeks
Leeks are low in calories but high in nutrients. These vegetables are high in magnesium and vitamins A, C, and K. Chickens eat raw or cooked leeks.
Can chickens eat turnip green stems?
Yes, chickens love eating all parts of turnip greens.
Can chickens eat carrot peelings?
Chickens like carrot tops and can eat the peels
Can chickens eat carrot greens?
Yes, chickens can eat carrot tops as they contain nutrients such as beta-carotene. Boil these and chop them to make it easier for baby chickens to eat.
Can you feed chickens too many greens?
Too many leafy greens like Swiss chard and spinach are not the best greens and can be harmful as they contain oxalic acid and can cause calcium deficiency. (Read Can Rabbits Eat Alfalfa Sprouts)
Can chickens have zucchini?
Chickens love zucchini, and it can act as a natural dewormer for them to eat this food.
Can chickens eat beet tops?
Yes, beet greens for chickens do wonders for the chickens’ health and improve the quality of eggs.
Can cats eat turnip greens?
Cats can’t eat turnip greens, but if you ask, can dogs have turnip greens, a few mixed up with their dinner can give their nutrition a boost.
