black watermelon seeds for chickens?

[GuppyTJ]

I've been putting raw potato skins in the blender and feeding them, along with a bunch of other food scraps, to my chickens. I read that as long as the peal isn't green, it's OK to feed them. Does anyone know differently and/or do the same?

Guppy

 

[GuppyTJ]

Potatoes, tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, eggplant, tomatillos, tamarios, pepinos, pimentos, paprika, and cayenne peppers are classified as nightshade foods

Substances found in all nightshades are called alkaloids

Atropine , Scopolamine and Solanine are the toxins in nightshade plants.

The Atropine side of the family makes
cholinergic antagonists causing depression of the parasympathetic
system , while the Solanine producers make cholinesterase inhibitors ,
causing stimulation of the para sympathetic branch of the central
nervous system .

In other words if chickens eat too many seeds or greens from the nightshade family. It can cause them to lose muscle control" Twitching or unable to move" or organs shut down.

So if feeding them tomatoes and peppers make sure the seeds and stems are removed. They contain the highest amounts of these compounds.

Peach2U,

Can you share the source of this info? I try to verify the sources of important info like this. So much info on the web is accurate but some requires more context to fully understand it.

Thanks much,
Guppy

 

[Peach2u]

Peach2U,

Can you share the source of this info? I try to verify the sources of important info like this. So much info on the web is accurate but some requires more context to fully understand it.

Thanks much,
Guppy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanaceae

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=62

 

[Scott H]

Google is your friend.....Watermelon seeds toxic?

 

[Pollo_Loco]

Peach2U,

Can you share the source of this info? I try to verify the sources of important info like this. So much info on the web is accurate but some requires more context to fully understand it.

Thanks much,
Guppy

Google these words:
Potatoes, tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, eggplant, tomatillos, tamarios, pepinos, pimentos, paprika, and cayenne peppers are classified as nightshade foods

Answer seems to be YES they are nightshade or a quick glance says they are. Is nightshade harmful to chickens ? Probably.

Problem with HUMANS is many have an attitude of "YOU CAN'T GET TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING",, Chickens can't go to the store and overindulge but humans can and do. HUMANS can provide chickens food that can be in excess of "moderate".

Moderation and study should be used. Kind of lazy so I just avoid these food items, maybe a few pieces of cooked potato (not peels) with left over Sanchoco.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I still haven't found any information on the seeds.

 

[Scott H]

Did you click on the Google link I provided above?

 

[123xxxxx23]

What about strawberry clovers? Was planning on planting them throughout my yard are they toxic to chickens? I'm also going to be planting many wild flowers as well

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Did you click on the Google link I provided above?

Sorry for the confusion, I meant the tomato seeds. I've still not read any scientific information about tomato seeds in a ripe tomato or a ripe pepper being toxic, the way that green potato skins are toxic.

 

[BirdbyGavin1103]

Mine love watermelon and get it as a treat about twice a month. Once in awhile there are seeds in them and they go after those first, so far no ill effects.

As far as the strawberry clover, it's a weed here and my flock loves it, again no ill effects. My birds are almost completely free range, they always have access to feed but only seem to eat it first thing in the morning. The rest of the day they are all over my property finding all kinds of things to eat (right now wild blackberries are in and they are all over the bushes) and come running when ever I come out with a bowl as they know it's treat time.

Regarding the nightshade family info, it says right in the source given that there usually needs to be a sensitivity to the alkaloids for there to be an issue. (I only looked at the healthiest foods link, personally I don't trust wiki as people can edit it.) I also am taking this info with a grain of salt, considering many scientists believe the reason birds have no apparent sensitivity to capsaicin (the chemical that make peppers spicy) is that these plants evolved this way to prevent mammals from eating the seeds, and to entice birds with the end result being better seed distribution. Many wild and domestic bird food brands have cayenne and chili pepper mixed into the feed to help deter squirrels, help with digestion and for flavor. I would think if it was deadly to birds, especially domestic ones, there would be some degree of outcry from humane groups.

I do a lot of checking via various sources before giving anything to my pets, and more importantly my son, and this is the first I've heard about NOT giving chickens peppers or tomatoes. In fact most of what I have found encourages the peppers because it helps with digestion and nutrient absorption, and I have yet to hear/read about anyone's birds dieing because they ate tomatoes. Mine LOVE peppers, tomatoes, cooked potatoes and they get them on a regular basis, as they are often left overs in our house. But our birds get almost all the leftovers, especially anything the dogs or cats won't eat, and even get freezer burnt meat that I cook up. (Which before anyone jumps on the freezer burnt part, it is perfectly safe to eat and the freezer burn only effects the taste according to what info I have been able to find.) Again I have seen absolutely no ill effects in my flock, and with the peppers there's the added bonus that my dogs no longer try eating the chicken poop.

I think the key thing to keep in mind, as with any food or drink, is moderation. Even water can be deadly if too much is consumed, but it's necessary for life.