Superfood For Chickens: Pomegranate

When I was a teenager I loved to watch my hamster stuff her cheeks with pomegranate seeds, turning her lips and paws red in the process. I’ve never eaten pomegranate seeds – it seems too much work to prise them out of their tough rinds, but I do enjoy the juice, which is both sweet with the tartness of cherries or cranberries.

I’ve never seen a pomegranate tree (Punica granatum) and likely won’t given they only grow in hardiness zones 7-10. It’s an ancient fruit native to Persia (Iran), that has spread to Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean. It was brought by the Spaniards to the Caribbean and South America in the 16^th century.

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The Romans referred to it as an apple (hence the name, meaning apple seed), but it’s actually a berry. Inside the hard rind are segments separated by thin white, bitter-tasting membranes which contain arils, a combination of both the seeds and juice.

References to the fruit can be found in the mythology of the Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks; the Bible and Talmud; and featured in major works of art. Traditional medicine from India (Ayurveda) , the Romans, Greeks and Egyptians used pomegranate for a number of health issues. In more recent times, it has been shown to have many beneficial effects: antiparasitic, lowers fat and glucose in the bloodstream, and decreases tumour growth.

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Pomegranates, grown as a dwarf shrub or up to a 35’ tree, are known for their healthy red fruits, that contains hundreds of edible seeds, which are high in antioxidants; fibre; vitamins A, B9 (folate), C, E, K; potassium; and fatty acids.

There are a number of commercial products available: powder, arils, jelly, juice, tea, oil and capsules. I occasionally get free pomegranates through our local food recovery program, slice them in half and offer raw to my flock.

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Benefits For Chickens:

• Several in vitro studies showed that pomegranate extract may inhibit growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Diplococcus pneumoniae, Salmonella enteritidis, Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia enterocolitica, E.coli and Candida albicans.
• Rich source of antioxidants (protects against cell damage).
• Two studies have shown that fruit extract inhibits malignant cell growth and induces normal cell regeneration.
• Prevents collagen degradation and may inhibit joint issues related to osteoarthritis.
• Chickens fed pomegranate seed extract had increased ability to digest fats.
• Increases lactobacillus (beneficial bacteria) in the caecum.
• Stimulates immune system and improves intestinal health.
• Meat birds fed dried pomegranate peel had increased ability dealing with heat stress; enhanced growth and better feed conversion

Like other fruit, pomegranates contain sugar, so feed in moderation.

Credits: Animal Biotechnology; Food Chemistry; Gardening Know How; Herbal Gram; Parasitology Research; Poultry DVM; Wikipedia. Featured Photo: Adventures In Living