How many tomatoes is too many tomatoes?

[kinnip]

Since my mater plants have started cranking out the goodies, my chickens have been flush with tomatoes. I give them the unsalvageable ones, the end pieces, and the ones I've, ashamedly, allowed to sit on the countertop too long. The littles in the brooder get most of the end cuts. How many is too many? They're eating, at least, a tomato's worth a day. I have 9 in the brooder. The outside chickens eat what they want and leave the rest to return to the Earth, but the littles are absolutely addicted. This has been going on for about two weeks with no apparent ill effects, but I'm a worry wart. They're still eating plenty of starter ration.

 

[DLS]

I don't knowmhow many is to much... BUT I feed the like you all they can eat. what about the MATER greens?

 

[sundance]

I feed mine whatever I don't use someway,If i get busy and forget some until they are to ripe to eat, my ladies love them,They will probably stop when they get enough, esp if they are free ranging and have plenty of feed in the feeder. they probable consider them treats. marrie

 

[redoak]

OMG don't tease me. Very rainy July and August here with only very very green tomatoes on 30 plants

 

[LauraSBale]

I give mine tomato's every day too, the only thing I'm concerned about is it high in acid.

 

[kmom246]

I am soooo jealous! It is darn difficult to get any production out of tomatoes here in the high desert. Days in the high 90's and nights in the high 40's and the toms just don't set fruit. They grow and flower like crazy, but no fruit until the temps come down in to the lower 90's - and by then, it will be frost in less than 30 days. No bumper crop of toms for chickies this year - hail 3 times in June killed and maimed most of the tomato plants :-( My peeps love toms, but I don't have enough to give them to worry if they are getting too much.

 

[Heather J]

Laura, most new strains of tomatoes are not all that acidic. Older, 'heritage' varieties still have a fair amount, but most newer ones have been bred for low acid, so you're probably OK. It used to be there was no reason to add acid as a preservative when you bottled tomatoes at home, but now they recommend adding lemon juice to every bottle.

 

[speckledhen]

Quote:
Supposedly, the plant leaves and stems are poisionous, but they'll probably know that, instinctively. I wouldn't feed those to them on purpose, just the tomatoes themselves.

 

[LauraSBale]

Thanks for the Info Heather

 

[kmom246]

My girls seem to instinctively know that the leaves and vines are not good to eat. Perhaps they taste yucky. They can spot a ripe cherry tom from 100 feet away, though. And in the process of plucking the delectible fruit from the vine, manage to trample everything in their path. I've since baracaided anything I want to harvest from with chicken wire!