Cabbage is bad for chickens?

[rjohns39]

I'm not sure which of the issues below make the feed toxic and am too lazy to go look it up again. Here's one quote that addresses the differences...

"By definition, if a seed is labeled “canola” it has to have less than 30 micromoles of glucosinolates and less than 2% of erucic acid. "

 

[Sycamore Hill Chicks]

I headed that they shouldn't have a lot but a little is fine

 

[Gonzalezfam]

So I was just reading the toxic plants list on Poultryhelp and now I am feeling overwhelmed. It seems like every plant in my yard is on that list. My girls usually free range for at least a few hours everyday and now I am worried about them. Cabbage is on the list and I give them a head of cabbage every Tuesday because I have to work out of town that day and they are cooped up for hours until I get home around 6:30. I haven't ever had any trouble and have read about lots of people giving their chickens cabbage.
Does anyone else give their chickens cabbage?
Billie Jo

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.

 

[rjohns39]

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.

You're absolutely correct. Even some of the best feed ingredients can cause problems if excess quantities are mixed in. But I don't want to derail OP's thread. Question was is cabbage safe, answer is yes but all treats in moderation.

 

[K0k0shka]

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.

Tomatoes keep coming up over and over and over again. Nightshades have had the toxicity bred out of them by humans so that humans can eat them without dying. Ripe tomatoes are not toxic to either humans or chickens. Their leaves and stems, however, still contain higher amounts of the toxin (solanine), so don't eat that or feed it to your chickens. But ripe tomatoes are fine.

 

[Stephoney]

My neighbor across the street grows mammoth sized cabbage and Brussel sprout plants. This fall he offered me the leftover plants for my hens. I’ve been pulling up new ones every few weeks and putting them in their indoor run/greenhouse for something green to eat during the dreary cold fall. They love ripping off pieces of leaves while they’re locked up all morning. They free range on an acre of grass and plants for a three to four hours most afternoon depending on weather so this isn’t their only source of greens. I haven’t noticed any issues with them and figure it’s free choice so they would stop eating it if the didn’t like it or how it made them feel. Anybody have experience giving entire plants?

 

[LisaMacc28]

I have fed literally bushels of cabbage over the years. And turnip greens, mustards, kale, collards, parsley, and chard.

It's all good for them unless you're trying to make them eat nothing but greens.

Don't sweat the toxic plants too much. Nearly all of them taste bad. I've yet to see a chicken poisoned by eating a poisonous plant unless they were sprayed with something toxic.

.....Alan.

Do y'all chop it in small pieces for them? Do y'all cook it? I'm new at this and wondering what else I can feed them!

 

[RoyalChick]

Do y'all chop it in small pieces for them? Do y'all cook it? I'm new at this and wondering what else I can feed them!

This is a very old thread so you may not get a response from anyone.
I give mine a cabbage once a week. I string it up from the rafters so they can play tether ball with it.
I used to use a plant hook, then I got some meat hooks which work well for going through the stalk part of the cabbage.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I use screw eyes to hang cabbage. I have it hung from a rope and screw it into the core. It works for apples too.

 

[cassie]

So I was just reading the toxic plants list on Poultryhelp and now I am feeling overwhelmed. It seems like every plant in my yard is on that list. My girls usually free range for at least a few hours everyday and now I am worried about them. Cabbage is on the list and I give them a head of cabbage every Tuesday because I have to work out of town that day and they are cooped up for hours until I get home around 6:30. I haven't ever had any trouble and have read about lots of people giving their chickens cabbage.
Does anyone else give their chickens cabbage?
Billie Jo

Why would cabbage be bad for chickens? People forget their cute little fluffybutts are really scavengers and will eat anything that doesn't eat them first.