Can Chickens Eat Acorns? Vital Safety Tips for Chicken Owners

Chickens love to peck everything they find in their garden. They might discover acorns fallen from the oak tree. So, as a chicken enthusiast you will scratch your head in concern: can chickens eat acorns? Are these small nutty seeds poisonous for our flock? Don’t worry, we understand your concern and will give a conclusive guideline.

Although, chickens can munch on acorns after they are properly leached. Acorns contain some toxic content and without proper preparation they can cause severe damage. To make our flock happy and healthy, a complete understanding is a prerequisite. We will provide you with crucial safety tips for serving acorns to chickens.

Can Chickens Eat Acorns? What You Should Know

Are Acorns good for Chickens?

Well, it depends on the preparation and quantity of acorns. If you serve them occasionally in limited volume after proper preparation (as guided below) then they are good for chickens. If you have shown a casual attitude in these processes then acorns might cause fatal injuries to the flock. By understanding and managing the risks you can serve acorns to your flock.

What is the Nutritional Profile of Acorns?

 Serving a well-balanced diet to our flock is of prime importance. So, before serving acorns to chickens we must analyze their nutritional value. Here is a list of the main nutrients available in acorns:

1. Carbohydrates: Acorns have a good volume of carbohydrates which provide energy to chickens. We have already discussed rice which provides carbohydrates in good amounts.
2. Proteins: Protein is the primary source for the growth of chickens. It helps in repairing tissues. Acorns contain proteins in decent amounts that make them compatible with being part of a nutritious diet for chickens.
3. Fats: Acorns have healthy fats for chickens. These fatty acids help chickens to gain weight and perform physical activity. The value of the healthy fats in acorns is low compared to walnuts and almonds.
4. Fiber: Acorns are good for the digestive health of chickens because of their fiber content. The fiber content in acorns will improve the gut health of chickens. It supports bowel movement in chickens.
5. Vitamins: Vitamins are essential for optimal development and healthy growth in chickens. Acorns have vitamins A, vitamin C, and vitamin B complex. These nutrients help to boost the immune system of chickens.
6. Minerals: Minerals are good for the bones and other body parts of chickens. Acorns provide various minerals like Calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium. These nutrients are good for the overall health of chickens.

Are Acorns poisonous to Chickens?

Yes, raw acorns contain high tannin content which can be toxic for chickens. The tannins are villain for chickens as they reduce their ability to absorb nutrients. We can say that tannins are anti-nutrient compounds present in acorns. They taste bitter and can damage the kidney or liver of chickens. They have a bad impact on digestion if served in excessive amounts. (Don’t be nervous, we have a solution below)

What Are The Symptoms of Tannic Acid Toxicity In Chickens?

If you have served acorns without processing them (as mentioned below) then you might face these symptoms of toxicity in your flock. If you find these signs and symptoms in your flock, consult your veterinarian.

• Digestive upset with diarrhea or loose stools indicates a toxic effect.
• Chickens with tannic acid toxicity are observed with lethargic behavior.
• They will show disinterest in eating their routine diet leading to weight loss.
• Discomfort in standing or unusual posture is a sign of abdominal pain.
• The dullness of feathers due to dehydration is an outcome of toxicity.
• Gradually falling overall health is a common symptom of tannic acidity.

How to prepare Acorns for Chickens to Eat?

According to our experience preparation of acorns is the most important factor for the safety of our flock. We are providing you with some preventive measures to make acorns safe for the clucking birds. Follow each step carefully:

1. When to collect Acorns: We have observed that acorns collected in the fall have less potential to harm chickens. Collect acorns before they start the rotting process.

2. Selection of Acorns: We suggest you to select only firm acorns that are mold-free or not damaged. Discard acorns that are cracked & damaged by insects.

3. Wash the Acorns:  Decontaminate the selected acorns with running water. Thoroughly wash till debris, dirt, and pesticide residues are completely removed.

4. Scrutinize the Acorn Nuts: Carefully crack the outer shells and extract the nuts inside. Remove the discolored acorns that have an off smell.

5. Leach the tannins: Tannins can have toxic effects on chickens. Therefore, we suggest to leach them following these steps.

• Soak the acorn nuts: Put the acorn nuts in a pot or large bowl filled with water. Let them soak for at least 24 hours. Changing the water after 2-3 hours will improve the efficiency of the soaking process.
• Boil the soaked nuts: Take the soaked nuts and boil them in hot water for approximately 10-15 minutes. We suggest you to drain the water and repeat the boiling process till the water runs clear, which indicates lower tannins.
• Let them dry: Take the boiled acorn nuts and spread them on a baking sheet till they are completely dry.

6. Chop the leached acorns: Now, we have nuts with low tannic acidity. There is a chance of choking for young chickens. So, we suggest you crush or chop the nuts into small pieces. It will make consumption easy for chickens.

7. Mix them with other feed: We have observed that chickens love to have a mixed diet. So, you should mix the chopped acorn nuts with a routine feed of your flock. Limit the portion of acorns to the minimum level to ensure a balanced diet.

8. Monitor and Adjust: After properly preparing a well-balanced diet mixed with chopped acorns, serve to chickens under your supervision. Observe the reaction of your flock and adjust the quantity accordingly.

9. A Bonus Tip: If you have to store acorns leftover, select an airtight container in a cool and dry place to prevent spoilage. Use the stored acorn feed within a month. Spoiled or moldy feed is strictly prohibited for clucking animals.

How Many Acorns Can Chickens Have?

After a proper preparation of acorns, the tannic acidity is reduced to a minimum level. Even now we have to serve them in limited volume sparingly. There is no specific volume of acorns recommended for chickens. We have some suggestions in this regard.

We advise you to limit acorn’s portion between 5% – 10% of the total diet of your flock. While calculating the feasible quantity for your flock consider the age, size, and health of chickens. As we have discussed acorns contain some healthy nutrients but not enough to justify their use as a primary diet for chickens.  

Can Baby Chickens Eat Acorns?

Baby chickens or chicks have weak immune systems and sensitive digestive mechanisms. Keeping in view the toxic nature of acorns, we are not in favor of their use for baby chickens. We can’t completely remove the tannic acidity from acorns. A small quantity of tannins is dangerous for baby chickens.

Additionally, chicks need more nutritional feed for their proper growth. Acorns do not qualify for their nutritional needs. There are more chances of choking in baby chicks as compared to full-grown chickens. So, never serve acorns to chicks. We recommend you serve commercial starter feed to chicks.

health and safety of your chickens

Alternatives to Acorns for Chickens

Keeping in view your keen interest in searching for the best foods for chickens we are providing a list of healthier foods. Consider these safer and more nutritious feeding options for your flock.

• Carrots: Carrot is a nutritious diet that can be served to chickens sparingly. We advise you to offer chopped pieces of carrots to your flock.
• Berries: It is a sweet and juicy fruit that chickens love to peck while running around their coop. Raspberries and blueberries are best for their growth.
• Broccoli: It is one of the most nutritious vegetables that you can serve to the flock. Offer broccoli vegetable in small pieces to prevent choking.
• Figs: Figs are healthy and safe source to diversify the chicken’s diet. Figs are packed with healthy nutrients to fulfill the needs of our flock.
• Pistachios: If you want to serve nutty fruit then pistachios are good for your flock. It is better to mix crushed pistachios with a routine diet of chickens.
• Rice: If you are looking for some carbohydrates for your chickens then rice is the best option. It should be properly prepared before serving to the flock.

Conclusion

We have concluded that chickens can have acorns after proper preparation. They should be leached to neutralize the tannic acidity. To make acorns safe for the flock soak them in water for 24 hours, boil the acorns for 15 minutes, and serve to the flock after they are properly dried up.

Acorns have some beneficial nutrients. You should never serve acorns as a primary diet of our flock. Excessive use of acorns will lead to nutritional imbalance. Chicken’s growth and development depend on a well-balanced diet. So, focus on serving a safe and healthy diet to your flock.