Cherry tomato plants okay for chickens?

[countrycakelady]

I have TONS of cherry tomato plants, and I mean TONS, literally! I have given away several hundred...and I am still finding them! :/ Can I plant them around their place? Can they eat the entire plant or just the tomatoes?

 

[Ridgerunner]

They can only safely eat the tomatoes. Tomato plants are members of the nightshade family and are poisonous. The tomatoes are fine though.

Odds are they won’t eat the tomato plants anyway, at least not enough to hurt themselves. They taste real bitter. I would not panic or freak out about tomato plants growing where they could get to them, but I would not try feeding the plants to them either.

 

[countrycakelady]

THANK YOU! I will be able to feed them all they want of these, rofl.....I won't be planting inside their spot.

 

[CedarAcres]

I agree with Ridgerunner. I think the plants contain solanine if I remember properly, which is toxic.

 

[Island Roo]

I just have to add that cherry tomatoes can be lots of fun too.

Mine love them and I get the best chicken football entertainment.

Throw 6 cherry tomatoes in there and I've got 6 chicken running with them for a touchdown and the rest in chase.

 

[CedarAcres]

Mine love the cherry tomatoes too! I love it when they peck into them & they explode and send the little tomato seeds flying.

 

[lcahill]

The seeds contain the same toxins as the plants so high amounts of seeds could be dangerous. If it's in moderation, it would be okay.

 

[countrycakelady]

Thank you to everyone for your help...I am considering dehydrating the cherry tomatoes and giving them thru the year as treats....maybe rehydrating....they are loving all the goodies that they are getting so far!