Can chickens eat onions?

[Cyprus]

As stated above, can adult chickens eat onions?
I have half an onion left over from making today's stuffing. I don't like to waste items. So instead of tossing it, can my chickens eat it?
It's half of a large yellow onion.
We also have leftover green and black olives and pickles. Probably won't give those to the birds, though.

 

[MissChick@dee]

They can eat them. But in significant amounts they can cause anemia.
And bad breath!

 

[Cyprus]

They can eat them. But in significant amounts they can cause anemia.
And bad breath!

How much is too much?

 

[MissChick@dee]

How much is too much?

That’s a good question when I looked it up it says “in moderation”. I grow chives mine don’t like them. Sometimes I have left overs with onions...they leave them in the bowl. So mine don’t eat them.
I haven’t found a exact amount. They are not toxic or poisonous.
I guess...they’d have to eat large amounts for them to become anemic.

 

[Cyprus]

That’s a good question when I looked it up it says “in moderation”. I grow chives mine don’t like them. Sometimes I have left overs with onions...they leave them in the bowl. So mine don’t eat them.
I haven’t found a exact amount. They are not toxic or poisonous.
I guess...they’d have to eat large amounts for them to become anemic.

Okay thanks.
It's 1cup of onion. If they don't touch it, oh well.

 

[Compost King]

I have had chickens try onions and not go back to it, I have had them eat foods with Onions in the recipe with no ill effects. Yeah they can eat Onions but they don't seem to like them very much.

 

[Slike]

They can, but in over two decades of raising chickens I've yet to meet a single one who actually *likes* onions, or any Alliums (garlic, chives, leeks, etc.) for that matter. They always pick around them when given leftovers, even if the onions are like 1/30th of the food's composition and chopped.

 

[Slike]

If the chooks won't have 'em you can dehydrate the onions to use as a spice later on, freeze them or put them in the fridge if you'll commit to using them soon. Otherwise it's compost time.

 

[ShannonR]

They can, but in over two decades of raising chickens I've yet to meet a single one who actually *likes* onions, or any Alliums (garlic, chives, leeks, etc.) for that matter. They always pick around them when given leftovers, even if the onions are like 1/30th of the food's composition and chopped.

This is good news for those who farm onions or alliums and keep chickens!

 

[Slike]

Half way good news - they'll still tear up your onion patch with glee to get at the soil, but generously leave your onions uprooted to bake in the sun. =\