Can chickens eat oranges?

Why

The flesh of oranges is generally safe for chickens to eat as a treat, but the high sugar content means it should not be a staple of their diet. The peel and seeds can be difficult to digest or contain compounds that are best avoided, so only the fresh fruit segments should be offered.

If you do feed it

• Offer only 1-2 small segments per chicken as an occasional treat, not a daily food.
• Always remove the thick peel and any seeds before feeding.
• Ensure the oranges are fresh and not moldy or spoiled.
• Introduce small amounts first to check for any digestive upset.

Watch out for

• peel and pith
• seeds
• sweetened or candied orange products
• moldy fruit

Better choices