Cabbage is bad for chickens?

[DaveD]

eggsellent, The link you put shows what can be given to chickens. IT says that at the BOTTOM is the items to avoid. The bad list is after all of the pictures. Cabbage is on theGood list

-David

 

[HLAC]

http://www.cbif.gc.ca/pls/pp/ppack.info?p_psn=212&p_type=all&p_sci=sci

"Brassica oleracea includes common cultivated crops such as kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage.
All these vegetables are capable of forming toxic quantities of SMCO, a chemical that can cause hemolytic anemia in livestock. These plants also contain glucosinolates, which can cause goiter. In general, these widely used vegetables are safe for human consumption. Cases of livestock poisoning occur when they are used almost exclusively as fodder for animals (Kingsbury 1964, Smith 1980, Cheeke and Schull 1985, Benevenga et al. 1989). Glucosinolates contained in kale, cabbage, and broccoli (Brassica oleracea) can cause goiter in humans. These plants cause goiter in less than 5% of cases in humans. The chemicals cause a reduction in performance of young livestock, especially swine and poultry (Fenwick et al. 1989). "

A head of cabbage a week, split between some hens shouldn't be any problem at all. Heck, my boyfriend moved our chicken tractor over a poison hemlock plant I hadn't dug up yet. By time I noticed, it was all torn up by the birds. Not sure how much, if any, they ate..... but other than a couple of shell-less eggs (which could have been coincidental) I didn't notice any ill effect. And poison hemlock is pretty darn toxic. I see the list also includes stuff like onions, garlic, apples, buckwheat.....

 

[eggsellent]

Quote:
Yes, I know that but I visited the links that were provided and on that list cabbage is considered toxic. I am not to worried about it but I did find it odd

I am scrutinizing the link at this point and wondering if some fact checking is in order

 

[gryeyes]

Tether Cabbage!

At least once a week.

And what it looks like the next morning.

Different chickens enjoying TetherCabbage.

Not even caring if the cat walks by!

 

[Monk]

I give my birds cabbage from time to time also, no problems and they love it. I'm planning on growing cabbage and sunflowers this year for wintertime snacks for them...

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

The only problem I have had with cabbage is the poo smell after (chicks who were in the house). My chickens will destroy a cabbage in less than an hour.

 

[wannabe_goatmom]

Quote:
LOL That's exactly what it looks like at my house. I'm glad to hear that I haven't been slowly poisoning them or something.
Thanks to everyone for all the info!!

 

[DaveD]

GryEyes, what is the chick with the white feathers with blacklacing? she is gorgeous.
-David

 

[gryeyes]

Oh, Thank You! That's Lacey, my Silver Laced Wyandotte - feed store chick.
Here's another photo with her in it:

And this next photo was taken this past weekend:

(She has the CUTEST fluffy butt of them all! I just laugh when she bends over where I can see her "panties.")

 

[chickadeedeedee]

I just love reading these posts, very informative and I do have to say that they provide alot of laughter. I can relate to "AllCoopedUp" with the "Ive got the bread" chase, my dh (who is not an animal person) and I get such a kick when I treat my chicks to June Bugs (now that the they are unhibernating)! I have learned that I have to catch several JB's but that doesn't stop the chase!

Also the pics, Gryeyes, are adorable and I love the "panties" !!!