TO POTATOE OR NOT TO POTATOE????

[dlg4742]

I have seen we need to peel and cook potatoes for our Chickens. What about peel and food grinder. Turn it into mash??

 

[sumi]

I've looked for potatoes on the Treats Chart and it says to cook them:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart

 

[dlg4742]

thanks

 

[Chris09]

As long as there isn't a lot of green on the peels you can feed them raw. I fed raw potato peals for years and never had a problem.

As for the "Chicken Treat Chart" it really needs to be updated or taken down, there is a lot of incorrect and misleading information on it.


Chris

 

[donrae]

I feed my birds the peels and/or icky whole potatoes. They really don't eat the peel much, seems like. The insides they like raw or if they get cooked leftovers.

I'm too busy to cook for chickens. Some days I have problems cooking for the humans.

 

[LightningTFarm]

I'm not sure about chickens, but you are definitely not supposed to feed ducks raw potatoes. Cooked potatoes are great - just boil them and then smash them up (you can even use your foot to smash them on a board). I think chickens are not supposed to eat raw potatoes, either. And, you are not supposed to feed them even cooked potatoes if they are real green ( you aren't supposed to eat those, either).

 

[Chris09]

I'm not sure about chickens, but you are definitely not supposed to feed ducks raw potatoes. Cooked potatoes are great - just boil them and then smash them up (you can even use your foot to smash them on a board). I think chickens are not supposed to eat raw potatoes, either. And, you are not supposed to feed them even cooked potatoes if they are real green ( you aren't supposed to eat those, either).

The reason for not feeding raw potatoes to ducks is because they (the ducks) will try to eat big chunks and the chunks may get lodged in there throats,
Chickens on the other hand peck at there food and will take a smaller piece of the potato and the chances of a piece of potato getting lodged in a chickens throat is very slim.

Chris

 

[LightningTFarm]

The reason for not feeding raw potatoes to ducks is because they (the ducks) will try to eat big chunks and the chunks may get lodged in there throats,
Chickens on the other hand peck at there food and will take a smaller piece of the potato and the chances of a piece of potato getting lodged in a chickens throat is very slim.

Chris

Actually, according to Holderread in Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks, that is not the case. "Raw potatoes aren't food for monogastric animals, as they contain inhibitors for many digestive enzymes, including those that digest starch. . .for poultry, cook the spuds." "Green potatoes have elevated levels of glycoalkaloids and are unsafe for human or duck consumption [and I presume chickens, as well]. Potatoes with any green should be discarded entirely. (Elevated levels of glycoalkaloid are in the entire potato, not just the skin or green part.)"

So, according to Dave, cook potatoes before feeding them to poultry. And that's good enough for me!

 

[Chris09]

Many foods including raw seeds and raw nuts contain enzyme inhibitors which will neutralize some of the enzymes the body produces but we still feed them to Monogastric Animals. Glycoalkaloids/Alkaloids are in potatoes all the time not just when green, it is that the Glycoalkaloids may be higher when the potatoes are green since sunlight can triger both higher levels of Glycoalkaloids and the development of Chlorophyll. ​

*Note Non-green potatoes may and can have just as high a Glycoalkaloid level as green potatoes as long as the conditions are right.



Chris

 

[davony's chicks]

I just happened on this thread and was shocked to read that you are not supposed to feed chickens raw potatoes. Last week when I dug my potatoes I accidently stabbed several potatoes and a few had bad spots on them I threw them in the pen and they devoured them!