IS CUTTLEFISH OKAY FOR CHICKENS?

Olivia9801

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Walking down on our local beach last week caused me to wonder if my hens would like to peck away at the cuttlefish that had been washed up. I picked several pieces up and on arrival back home placed it in the run. A day later I could see that they they had managed to turn it the correct way up with the soft side uppermost and had pecked it all away.

I know people with budgies and other caged birds use it, but am wondering if this okay to continue doing this as I have managed to get some more.

Are there any other people who give this to their birds? Afterall, I should imagine there is a lot of calcium contained in this which would benefit the hens in their formation of shells for their eggs?

Please let me know what you think.

Regards

Olivia9801
 
Don't think it would be too much of a problem,in small amounts. I have never fed cuttlefish and don't know of anyone else that does routinely. A little can do no harm, wash thoroughly though first as they will have a high salt content otherwise.
 
Additional Calcium usually comes from additions in layers pellets and mixed grit anyway. I would be concerned about far too much calcium but my biggest concern is the salt Olivia. Chickens have a very low tolerance to salt, so low in fact I have always considered it poisonous.
 
Thanks for your replies. I didnt think about the salt issue. I will retract it from the pen straight away because even if I wash it, this will just remove surface traces and not remove whatmay have been absorbed into the cuttlefish.

Many thanks.
 
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