Can Hedgehogs Eat Chicken?



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One of the most popular meats is chicken. It is not only widely available and simple to prepare, but it can also be found in a variety of forms. It is possible to be unaware of how nutritious chicken is even though it is a frequent dietary staple. All around the world, people of all ages place chicken among their favorite foods. It is not only an essential component of many culinary traditions, but it is also very nourishing and delicious. Chicken is a fantastic source of protein and has a variety of positive health effects. There are more calories in darker cuts like the thigh and drumstick than in lighter cuts like the breast. Saturated fat is also added when chicken is fried or kept with the skin on. Since the chicken breast is the healthiest part of the bird, you should stick with it if you're replacing red meat with chicken. 


CAN HEDGEHOGS EAT CHICKEN?

Yes, hedgehogs can eat chicken. Chicken is a great source of protein and other essential nutrients, so it can be eaten safely by hedgehogs. However, it is important to cook the chicken before serving it to a hedgehog. Seasonings are toxic to hedgehogs, so cooking the chicken without seasoning helps to keep it safe for a hedgehog.


BENEFITS OF FEEDING CHICKEN TO HEDGEHOGS.


Chicken is a fantastic source of protein, which is beneficial to hedgehogs. Below is a table showing the amounts of nutrients that 100 grams of chicken contain: 

NUTRIENTS

QUANTITY

Water

65.3 g

Energy

158 kcal

Nitrogen

5.13 g

Protein

32.1 g

Fat

3.24 g

Carbohydrate

0 g

Calcium

6 mg

Iron

0.49 mg

Magnesium

32 mg

Phosphorus

241 mg

Potassium

343 mg

Sodium

47 mg

Zinc

0.96 mg

Copper

0.044 mg

Manganese

0.012 mg

Selenium

31.9 µg

Thiamin

0.098 mg

Riboflavin

0.187 mg

Niacin

9.45 mg

Vitamin B6

0.921 mg

Vitamin B12

0.2 µg

Vitamin E

0.33 mg

Cholesterol

116 mg


  1. It aids the development of stronger muscles: One of the best non-vegetarian sources of protein is chicken. As lean meat, it has a higher proportion of proteins and a lower proportion of fat. A 100g serving of chicken contains 32g of protein, making it excellent for hedgehogs to develop their muscles. Chicken is also a great source of amino acids. Amino acids help to create muscular tissue. Consuming chicken can lower a hedgehog’s chances of injuries and diseases by promoting stronger muscles.

  1. Preserves bone health: In addition to being high in protein, chicken is also a good source of calcium and phosphorus, two elements that help keep the bones of a hedgehog strong. It also contains selenium, which is believed to lower the chance of developing arthritis.

  1. It aids weight management: Meals high in protein can help keep hedgehogs satisfied even when they eat less, which supports healthier weight management. Maintaining a healthy weight reduces the risks of heart disease by improving blood pressure and lipid levels.

  1. Encourages heart health: Chicken, which is high in vitamin B6, helps to lower the risk of a heart attack. Chicken is also a good source of niacin, which lowers cholesterol, a risk factor for the development of heart disease. It is advisable to feed hedgehogs more chicken than red meat because it has fewer saturated fats, which have positive effects on the heart.


RISKS OF FEEDING CHICKEN TO HEDGEHOGS.

Although hedgehogs can safely eat chicken, it is advisable to cook and store the chicken properly to avoid foodborne infections. Bacterial growth that can make hedgehogs very sick might result from cross contamination while cooking, or from letting the chicken stay outside for an extended period. Although chicken is a lean protein, it contains some cholesterol. When purchasing chicken for hedgehogs, it is advisable to pay particular attention to the quantity of cholesterol in the meat you purchase 


Different chicken breeds have different qualities. For instance, foods like chicken nuggets, popcorn chicken, and chicken tenders that are fried and breaded are frequently high in harmful fats, carbohydrates, and calories. Feeding hedgehogs with processed meat may increase their chances of developing heart disease, diabetes, and several cancers. Additionally, processed meats may be heavy in preservatives and sodium. Reducing a hedgehog’s sodium intake will lower their blood pressure, so it is best to avoid processed chicken when feeding hedgehogs.


HOW TO PREPARE CHICKEN FOR HEDGEHOGS.

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The first step in preparing the chicken for a hedgehog is to remove the skin. Skin removal is a crucial process that is frequently overlooked. There are a lot of fats in the skin and excess fats are bad for a hedgehog's health. Therefore, before cooking chicken for hedgehogs, it is advisable to remove the skin. 


Also, seasonings are not good for a hedgehog's health and may even give them a stomach bug, so they should only consume unseasoned chicken. Oils should also be avoided when cooking chicken for hedgehogs because oils are unhealthy and can impair their health as well.


HOW TO PROPERLY SERVE CHICKEN TO HEDGEHOGS.

While high-quality hedgehog food should be the primary component of a hedgehog's diet, they can eat chicken provided you serve them lean slices of the meat that is cooked to perfection. Only items that are suitable in terms of nutrition should be given to hedgehogs as a supplement to their regular diet. You should try to limit the quantity of fat that a hedgehog consumes because they are prone to obesity. 


It is strongly advised that fattier cuts of chicken like the thighs and drumsticks be avoided. Leaner chicken parts should be cooked correctly to reduce the amount of fat in the meat. It is not healthy to serve hedgehogs with chicken that has been fried or seasoned. Hedgehogs often prefer chicken breast since it is lean and nutritious. The chicken should be shredded to make it easy for your hedgehog to chew and digest.


CONCLUSION

Chicken is an excellent addition to a hedgehog’s usual diet, but they can also eat a range of lean meats. Hedgehogs need good protein and chicken is an excellent source. It is commendable to cook the chicken and serve only the lean cuts to your hedgehog. Since they are prone to obesity, it is important to limit their intake of additional fats to protect their general health and well-being. Your hedgehog can eat chicken as part of their regular diet. Remove the skin from the chicken, don't season it, and don't add any oils to make sure the hedgehog gets the most nutrition possible from it.


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