Can chickens eat cherries?

Why

The flesh of the cherry is nutritious, but the pits, stems, and leaves contain cyanide which is toxic to chickens if ingested. Even small amounts of the pit can cause illness, so strict preparation is required before feeding.

If you do feed it

• Always remove and discard all pits, stems, and leaves before feeding.
• Limit treats to 1-2 pitted cherries per bird, no more than a few times a week.
• Chop the fruit into small pieces to prevent choking and ensure easy digestion.

Watch out for

• cherry pits (seeds)
• stems and leaves
• sweetened or canned cherries
• fermented or moldy fruit

Better choices