Cabbage is bad for chickens?

[AGeese]

Good to know for St Paddy's day coming up.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I’ve read tomatoes too because they are part of the night shade family, I guess every thing in excess is bad for anyone even our chickens even some of the grains in feeds.

Yes.

ANYTHING in excess is bad for EVERYTHING.

Even 100% oxygen starts to have health consequences between 1-2 days of breathing the stuff (at sea level - you get a little longer at the top of Everest).

The problem with those lists is they don't consider dosage - and dosage matters.

 

[RoyalChick]

Yes.

ANYTHING in excess is bad for EVERYTHING.

Even 100% oxygen starts to have health consequences between 1-2 days of breathing the stuff (at sea level - you get a little longer at the top of Everest).

The problem with those lists is they don't consider dosage - and dosage matters.

Wise words.

 

[Mountain Roost]

I asked GPT "can cabbage inhibit calcium absorption in egg laying hens?"

ChatGPT said:​

Yes, cabbage can potentially inhibit calcium absorption in egg-laying hens, but this effect is usually minimal and depends on how much cabbage they are consuming. Cabbage contains goitrogens, which are compounds that can interfere with iodine metabolism and may affect the thyroid, but their effect on calcium absorption is more indirect. Here’s how cabbage can affect calcium:

1. Oxalates: Cabbage, particularly when fed in large amounts, contains small amounts of oxalates. Oxalates can bind to calcium in the digestive tract and form calcium oxalate, which can reduce the amount of calcium available for absorption. However, the amount of oxalates in cabbage is relatively low compared to other vegetables like spinach.
2. Fiber: Cabbage is high in fiber, which can speed up digestion and potentially reduce the time for calcium absorption. However, this effect would generally only be significant if hens were consuming a large amount of cabbage, which could lead to nutrient imbalances.
3. Balanced Diet: As long as cabbage is fed as a small part of a varied and balanced diet, it is unlikely to cause major issues with calcium absorption. Calcium is critical for egg production and shell quality, so it’s important to ensure that hens are receiving adequate calcium from their primary feed, usually in the form of crushed oyster shells or a calcium-enriched layer feed.

Key Points:​

• Moderate amounts of cabbage are generally fine for egg-laying hens and should not significantly inhibit calcium absorption.
• Overfeeding cabbage could lead to digestive issues or nutrient imbalances.
• Ensure that hens are getting enough calcium from their primary feed to maintain egg production and shell quality.

If you're feeding cabbage to your hens, it should be offered as part of a balanced diet with proper calcium supplementation.

 

[Mountain Roost]

"what about spinach?"

ChatGPT said:​

Spinach can indeed have a more significant effect on calcium absorption in egg-laying hens compared to cabbage. This is due to its higher oxalate content. Here’s how spinach can affect calcium absorption:

1. Oxalates:​

Spinach is high in oxalates, which are compounds that can bind to calcium and form calcium oxalate. This binding reduces the amount of calcium that can be absorbed in the digestive tract, potentially leading to calcium deficiency over time if hens are fed large amounts of spinach regularly. Oxalates are much more abundant in spinach compared to cabbage, so it’s more of a concern with spinach.

2. Calcium Absorption:​

When hens consume too much spinach, the oxalates can prevent the absorption of calcium, which is critical for egg production, especially for maintaining strong eggshells. Since calcium is a key nutrient for laying hens, interfering with its absorption can lead to issues like soft-shelled eggs or even calcium deficiency if the hens are not getting enough from other sources.

3. Feeding Spinach in Moderation:​

While spinach contains beneficial nutrients like vitamins and minerals, it should be fed in moderation. If hens are regularly consuming spinach in large quantities, it could negatively impact their calcium absorption, and therefore their egg production and shell quality. To avoid this, it's best to feed spinach as an occasional treat, not a primary part of their diet.

4. Balanced Diet:​

As with cabbage, if spinach is fed as part of a balanced diet where the hens are getting sufficient calcium from their primary feed (like layer feed with added calcium or crushed oyster shells), the risk of calcium deficiency should be minimal. It's important to ensure hens always have access to proper calcium sources, especially if you are feeding them spinach or other high-oxalate vegetables.

Key Takeaways:​

• Spinach is high in oxalates, which can bind to calcium and reduce its absorption.
• Moderation is key—spinach can be offered as a treat, but should not be a major part of their diet.
• Ensure hens are getting enough calcium from other sources (e.g., layer feed, oyster shell) to maintain proper egg production and shell quality.

If you're feeding spinach, keep it to small amounts and always balance it with the appropriate calcium sources in their diet.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

and in both cases, the amount of calcium binding is minimal. If you leave out a free choice calcium source (like oyster shell) you won't have a problem. Chickens will simply eat more to compensate for the Ca they couldn't absorb due to the oxalates.

 

[red horse ranch]

I'm not sure if this has been addressed on this thread but if the cabbage has any brown slime on it from the cabbage getting old. the slime is very toxic. I threw out a bunch of old cabbage several years ago, Of course there was a feeding frenzy with all the chickens. An hour or two later I noticed one of the young roosters getting very wobbley . He gradually lost his ability to walk and was having trouble breathing. He finally lost his ability to breath and suffocated. The toxins in the brown cabbage slime slowly paralyzed him.
I still give cabbage to all my poultry but I'm very careful to make sure it is not going bad.The brown slime is the only problem with cabbage. If it is in good condition it is fine for them.