Possible tomato plant poising

[Greg H.]

Ok, I think one of my hens managed to get past a fence, and into my tomatoes, and back again, without being seen.

Symptoms include no appetite, eye's half closed, runny feces ( green plant material in it despite not having access to the yard for the past week ) and just sitting around.


It will swallow if I place food in it's mouth, and it is drinking to some extent.


It is isolated, and stock vitamins and electrolytes are being added to it's water. I have been hand feeding it plain yogurt with a little corn syrup added for energy.


Is there anything else I can do?

 

[Yoko]

do you ever put any pestisides on your plants,or like fertilizer,if so,it could be poisoning from that,but if you just give your plant only water and no chemicals,i cant help you there
hope you can find out wat it is

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Molasses Flush for chicken that has been poisened.-From Miss Prissy

Molasses flush is 1 pint molasses per 5 gallons water given over a period of 8 hours withhold all other food or water.
The break down is -
(1 PINT = 2 CUPS)
2 cups to 5 gallons water
1 cup to 2.5 gallons of water
1/2 cup to 1.25 gallons of water
1/4 cup to 2 quarts water
4 tablespoons to 1 quart water
The molasses acts as a laxative by pulling water into the intestines and flushing it out.
I would mix it by the quart.

 

[Greg H.]

My backyard get's not much more than rabbit manure

Solanine, is an toxic alkaloid in tomato plants and it's symtoms include:

Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, burning of the throat, heart arrhythmia, headache and dizziness. Hallucinations, loss of sensation, paralysis, fever, jaundice, dilated pupils and hypothermia have been reported in more severe cases.

I have 5 other chickens in the backyard, and they don't appear to have a problem, and that's why I have been so puzzeled and think it's solanine poisinng.

 

[Greg H.]

Quote:
I'll give it a shot.

Thanks.

 

[chickenchickenbulkbulk]

One of my Light Brahma are doing the same thing and he has also been in the garden eating on the tomatoes. I am going to try the molasses and water. Greg I hope your chick gets better and Farmer Kitty..Thanks.

 

[sundance]

Are you sure it was the tomatoes, Mine scratch in my tomato plants all the time and eat any low enough for them to reach, I have had no problems with them eating tomatoes.

marrie

 

[Greg H.]

Quote:
Tomatoes ( or the fruit of the tomato plant ) are not toxic.

The stems and leaves contain a toxic alkaloid called Solanine ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanine ).

 

[horsejody]

Tomato plants are toxic. They are in the same family as nightshade. Only the fruit is ok to eat. Chickens will usually only eat the fruit and maybe a tiny bit of green, but there are always exceptions. Mine don't eat the green, but they do steal fruit all the time. They just take one bite out of each tomato. Their instinct usually keep them eating the green parts, but it's just like anything else - some have poorer instincts than others.

I would also call the poison control center. They often have information on what to do if pets poison themselves.

 

[Greg H.]

It's history.


It's down and having minor convulsions as I type this, I'm going to finish it off ( if it isn't already dead ) as soon as the kids have their back turned.