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Why no citrus?

post #1 of 9
Thread Starter 
Most of the foods on the do-not-eat list have a reason for it. But the citrus didn't. I was just wondering what about citrus is bad for the birds.
post #2 of 9

I think it has something to do with calcium absorption- not sure, they don

t like it anyway as I have citrus trees around and they ignore the fruits and leaves.

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post #3 of 9

Citrus fruits contain limonin, which is toxic to poultry.

2 Buff Orpingtons, 2 Black Stars

 

Chicken Behavior Article

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2 Buff Orpingtons, 2 Black Stars

 

Chicken Behavior Article

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post #4 of 9

 

Quote:
peel and seeds must not be ingested as they contain certain oils and citric acid limonin that when consumed in significant amounts can result to central nervous system depression.

 

 

here's another now that I looked

 

http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/004/X6512E/X6512E08.htm

Quote:
Substances toxic to swine and poultry are present in dried citrus pulp that includes seeds, and the high content of fibre also restricts its use in pig and poultry rations. However, dried citrus pulp has been used as poultry deep litter which has subsequently been used with good results as livestock feed (Harms et al., 1968).
 
Due to the presence of toxic factors in the seeds, they should not be fed to poultry and only with care to pigs.

 

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post #5 of 9

Mine won't eat citrus anyway. I frequently raid the compost bucket for chickie treats and occasionally end up with a grapefruit peel in the henpen, they profoundly ignore it....

Tyler

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Tyler

*******

The grass is always greener, over the septic tank.

Everyone is special, which is another way of saying, no one is.

The only thing people love more than a hero; is to see a hero fail, fall, or die trying.

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post #6 of 9

hmm...and i have been giving mine bad oranges for a wile now. Just one sliced up every now and then. They ignore the rind and go for the flesh

Seedless oranges

post #7 of 9

Mine have been eating citrus for years with no bad results.  Mine love the grapefruit that falls to the ground, and the meyer lemons.  When we had orange trees, they would eat ornges as well--which is more than I can say for us, becuase we wouldn't (they were not very good--one tree's fruit was always nearly bone dry and the other one was not very sweet)..

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Breeder & Exhibitor of fine silkies in Black, Blue, Splash, Grey, Partridge & Lavender.  Working on Dun, Mottled, Partridge dilutions, Paint, Porcelain & other exciting new colours
adult and started pairs occasionally available;
   No eggs or chicks. 
Support your local poultry clubs, breed clubs, ABA & APA!

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post #8 of 9

I live in Florida as well and have citrus trees. My girls like an orange occasionally but seem not to prefer them as regular treats. They don't like grapefruit at all. If they want it, they eat it; if they don't it goes in the compost pile.

post #9 of 9
Quote:
Originally Posted by BuffOrpington88 View Post

Citrus fruits contain limonin, which is toxic to poultry.


I believe this is also toxic to humans, but you'd have to ingest massive quantities to do any harm.

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