Chickens and onions

[Annasg]

OH MY! My girls have gotten into some red onion. Does anyone know if this will hurt them. I think I read some place that onion is not good for them? They are 12 weeks old. Does anyone know anything about this?

 

[chickcrack]

As far as I know it can make the eggs taste off which is why they say not to feed it. But I don't think it's bad for them. Hope that's right because my girls love red onion!

 

[Annasg]

Mine are not laying yet so I guess the eggs are still safe from the taste. I hope. They won't be laying for at least another month or more.

 

[BruceAZ]

chickens are omnivores so they will eat pretty much anything..

but if you put their health and egg quality into consideration then

it's best to avoid certain foods.. it will affect the quality of the eggs.. onions or garlic for example

 

[Jensownzoo]

Onions and garlic in large quantities can oxidize red blood cells, causing anemia. A little bit every once in a while won't hurt, but a large amount all at once can result in death.

 

[Annasg]

Thank you. That is good to know. I was thinking that I had read someplace or heard it in a video that onions can cause problems. I just wasn't sure. I read so much, I thought I had possibly gotten my wires crossed. Could I have also read that potato peels harm them?

 

[Jensownzoo]

When potato peels turn green from sun exposure, they contain the toxin solanine...but again the dose needed to cause issues is fairly high. Solanine is also contained in tomato plants--avoid giving the plants themselves, use caution with green tomatoes, red tomatoes are perfectly fine.