Harmful Dietary Options for Chickens: Abstain from Offering These Foods
Chickens, like many pets, have specific dietary requirements to maintain their health and wellbeing. It's essential to be aware of the foods that are harmful to them, as some common items may pose a serious risk.
Poisonous Compounds in Common Foods
Potatoes, Tomatoes, and Eggplants
Green potato skins, tomato leaves, and stems contain solanine and tomatine, two alkaloids that can cause digestive distress, neurological issues, or even be fatal to chickens [1][2][3]. Raw sprouted potatoes and peels are especially toxic due to high solanine levels, posing a serious poisoning risk [2][4].
Beans and Legumes
Raw or dry beans contain substances that are poisonous to chickens and should be avoided [4].
Nightshade Plants
Nightshade plants, which include peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, all have toxic parts [5].
Ornamental Plants
Some ornamental plants like foxglove and lily of the valley contain potent toxins harmful to poultry if ingested [3].
Moldy Food
Moldy food can harbor mycotoxins, which are dangerous to chickens’ health [3].
Other Harmful Foods for Chickens
Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits may affect calcium absorption and egg production in chickens [6].
Rhubarb Leaves
Rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid, which is toxic to chickens [7].
Onions
Onions can cause anemia in chickens by destroying red blood cells [8].
Garlic
In large amounts, garlic can make eggs taste funny and potentially cause health issues in chickens [9].
Raw Meat
Raw meat can cause aggressive behavior or spread disease in chickens [10].
Uncooked Rice
Uncooked rice can swell in the crop and cause blockages [11].
Salty Foods
Salty foods are not well-processed by chickens' systems [12].
Sugar and Artificial Colors in Chocolate and Candy
Sugar and artificial colors in chocolate and candy are also harmful to chickens [13].
Peach and Apricot Pits
Peach and apricot pits contain cyanogenic glycosides [14].
Bones
Bones, particularly sharp ones, can splinter and injure the throat or crop [15].
Apple Seeds and Cherry Pits
Apple seeds and cherry pits contain small amounts of cyanide [16].
Raw Yeast Dough
Raw yeast dough can expand in the stomach and cause bloating [17].
Avocado
Feeding avocado to chickens, particularly the pit and skin, can be harmful due to a toxin called persin [18].
Candy or Gum containing Xylitol
Candy or gum containing xylitol can be toxic to chickens [19].
Common Symptoms of Toxicity in Chickens
Eating something toxic can cause weakness, diarrhea, breathing problems, not eating or drinking, lying down, or acting sleepy in chickens [20]. If a chicken eats something toxic, remove the food immediately, separate the sick chicken, and call a vet or poultry expert if symptoms don’t go away [21].
Safe Feeding Practices for Chickens
When in doubt about what to feed chickens, stick to chicken feed and safe fruits and vegetables [22]. To spoil chickens safely, create a snack station with chopped lettuce or kale, corn kernels, sliced cucumber or zucchini, a scoop of oats or sunflower seeds, a few dried mealworms [23].
When kids help with the chickens, teach them about safe feeding practices, make a chart of good and bad foods, color pictures of healthy chickens, create a food-sorting game, and post a "chicken treat checklist" near the coop [24].
Conclusion
Understanding what's safe and what's not for chickens is crucial for their health and wellbeing. By avoiding toxic foods, you ensure your flock stays healthy and happy. Always remember, it's your responsibility to ensure the food is safe for your chickens. Happy chicken keeping!
Science and education can aid in understanding the dietary needs and potential risks associated with different foods for chicken health-and-wellness. For instance, be aware that peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants are part of nightshade plants that have toxic parts (1, 5). Moreover, education-and-self-development is necessary to recognize the harmful impact of food items like raw or dry beans, onions, garlic, raw meat, uncooked rice, salty foods, sugar and artificial colors, peach and apricot pits, apple seeds and cherry pits, raw yeast dough, avocado, candy or gum containing xylitol, and moldy food on chickens (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19).
