Chickens eat a variety of things, and a good chicken parent wants to be sure they’re feeding their little cluckers healthy meals. So how about… kiwifruit?
What is Kiwi?
A member of the Actinidiaceae family, Kiwi is eaten by humans worldwide. According an article medically reviewed by Sade Meeks, MS, RN, kiwis are small but mighty. Jilian Kubala, the author, writes that kiwis have an “impressive” nutrient profile, including an exceptional amount of Vitamin C. Kiwis can allegedly benefit digestive health and may aid in heart heart as well.
Can Chickens Eat Kiwi?
So we’ve established that humans benefit from kiwis. What about our poultry friends?
Short answer: yes, for the most part. Long answer: continue reading.
Are Kiwi Safe For Chickens?
Among other fruits, yes, kiwis are safe for chickens. Kiwis not only benefit chickens via their high Vitamin C content, but the anti-inflammatory properties of kiwi may help chickens who suffer from inflammatory problems.
However, you can’t just throw a kiwifruit into the chicken coop and call it a day. First, double-check that the fruit is ripe and remove the skin, as kiwi skin (also known as kiwi peels) can be difficult for the chickens to digest- which is the opposite of what we want here. Cut the kiwi into small pieces to help the chickens not choke.
For more clarification, let’s see what people are saying about feeding kiwi to their chickens in a Facebook group post (BYC – BackYardChickens). In the discussion, many replied that they feed kiwi to their chickens, including scraps, peels, and leftovers.
For example:
Bailey Fry replied:
Yep, they get all our scraps, peels, leftovers, etc. they know what they can and can’t eat
Martin Greer Replied:
Put them in a food processor and blend them up, then yes. Actually really good for them. I do that with a lot of fresh foods I give mine.
Based on the discussion, we can conclude that kiwi is safe for chickens.
Pros of Chickens Eating Kiwifruit:
We’ve discussed Vitamin C and anti-inflammatory properties. So what other reasons might exits to give your short-legged friends some kiwifruit?
For one, kiwis have substantial water content, meaning eating a kiwi fruit also gives you and your chickens a little bit of water- an especially important aspect during the summer months. Besides the water and Vitamin C, kiwis are also high in dietary fiber, which is what makes them good for digestive health. They also contain plenty of antioxidants, which might have an added benefit of diminishing oxidative stress.
Cons of Chickens Eating Kiwifruit:
But there are two sides to every story. So what might be some cons to our feathery friends eating kiwifruit?
Fruits have more sugar than most people give them credit for, and even natural sugar can turn into a bag thing if too much is consumed. For this reason, offer kiwi to your cluckers as an occasional treat, rather than a daily meal.
Despite all the digestive benefits, kiwis are slightly acidic, so any chickens with acidity fruit sensitivities should beware. Er, their humans should beware. Not to mention seeds could be a choking hazard- remove the seeds or at least make sure they’re sized appropriately before dropping off dessert.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, people and chickens have something crucial in common: there are exceptions to the rule. We all know someone with a food allergy, so don’t assume your chickens’ immune system will take kindly to kiwis or any other food. Approach feeding your chickens kiwi- or any other treat- with thought rather than habit.
FAQS
1. Can Chickens Eat Kiwi Skin?
Technically speaking, yes, but the toughness of the skin can be a choking hazard, so the safer option is to peel the skin off.
2. Can Chickens Eat Kiwifruit Seeds?
Again, technically, yes, but the seeds can be a choking hazard. Make sure to, at the very least, size the seeds to prevent choking.
Sources
Kubala, Jillian. “4 Health Benefits of Kiwi.” Heath Line. Updated August 29, 2023. Accessed March 17, 2025. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/kiwi-benefits#Kiwi-benefits
