No, chickens should not eat pear seeds. While pears themselves are generally safe for chickens to consume, pear seeds contain trace amounts of cyanide. Although the amount in a single seed is negligible, consuming a large quantity could potentially cause digestive issues. It's best to remove the seeds before feeding pears to your chickens to avoid any risk.
Why Avoid Pear Seeds?
- Cyanide Content: Pear seeds, like apple seeds and the pits of other stone fruits (apricots, cherries, peaches, plums), contain small amounts of cyanide compounds. While a few seeds are unlikely to cause harm, a large ingestion could be problematic.
- Digestive Upset: Even without a significant cyanide effect, the hard texture of pear seeds can cause digestive discomfort in chickens.
- Waste of Resources: Chickens naturally avoid eating the seeds, making feeding them pear seeds an unnecessary and wasteful practice.
Safe Practices When Feeding Pears to Chickens
- Remove Seeds and Core: Always remove the core and seeds before giving pears to your chickens. Simply cutting the pear into pieces is not enough; remove the seed-containing core completely.
- Moderation is Key: While pears are a healthy treat, they shouldn't constitute a major part of a chicken's diet. Offer them in moderation as part of a balanced feeding plan.
- Observe Your Chickens: Keep an eye on your flock after feeding them pears to ensure no adverse reactions occur.
Several sources confirm the avoidance of pear seeds due to cyanide content and the potential for digestive problems. The small amounts of cyanide are generally harmless unless consumed in large quantities, but it's best to err on the side of caution and remove them. Chickens will often naturally avoid eating seeds anyway, making it a simple precaution.
