Should we keep chickens out of compost full of onions and citrus?

[ChlorophyllChick]

We eat a lot of onions, garlic, and citrus which I have read are harmful to chickens so I am concerned about them getting into this stuff in the compost pile. I am wondering if it would be a good idea to put a fence around it and over the top to prevent them from getting into it. We are also considering leaving one chicken friendly pile out for them to dig through and just enclosing the potentially harmful stuff. Is this necessary or am I being too over protective?

 

[Dar]

my chickens get into the compost all the time... we are garlic and onion fans... and potato skins are in there too... never a issue...

 

[Padfoot417]

Onions,garlic,citrus;all those things shouldn't be harmful to them at all.It may potentially flavor your eggs,but that's about it!

 

[ChlorophyllChick]

There is a list on this website: http://www.poultryhelp.com/toxicplants.html which says: Allium spp. (CHIVES, GARLIC, LEEKS, ONIONS); bulbs, bulblets, flowers, stems; gastrointestinal tract affected by plant toxins which sounds pretty harmful to me. And the treat chart on here, found at https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart says specifically no citrus, although it does not specify why. So I am quite sure that onions and garlic at least are harmful to them, I was just wondering if the quantities they might consume from the compost would be enough to cause any problems.

 

[7L Farm]

Quote:
I wouldn't worry. Mine eat a little onions that are curing in my barn. Their still kicking.