Tomatoes

[KirstKennedy]

Can chickens eat too many tomatoes? There havent been any issues yet but they eat A LOT of tomatoes. The garden is full and my kids love feeding them tomatoes. I suspect they've helped themselves a time or two as well....

 

[azygous]

About the only negative consequences associated with chickens eating too many tomatoes are runny poops and dietary imbalance created by filling up on the tasty fruit instead of eating their poultry ration.

My flock adore tomatoes and would keep eating them as long as I cared to pick and toss them. It's ultimately up to us to dole them out in a reasonable amount or take steps to block the chickens from devouring the tomato plants.

By the way, leaves of the tomato plant are said to be poisonous. Chickens can eat a small amount and not suffer any ill effects, but you need to watch that an individual with minimal instincts for self preservation doesn't stand at a plant and eat it to the ground. I would suspect you might see a chicken suffer from that particular culinary indiscretion.

 

[KirstKennedy]

About the only negative consequences associated with chickens eating too many tomatoes are runny poops and dietary imbalance created by filling up on the tasty fruit instead of eating their poultry ration.

My flock adore tomatoes and would keep eating them as long as I cared to pick and toss them. It's ultimately up to us to dole them out in a reasonable amount or take steps to block the chickens from devouring the tomato plants.

By the way, leaves of the tomato plant are said to be poisonous. Chickens can eat a small amount and not suffer any ill effects, but you need to watch that an individual with minimal instincts for self preservation doesn't stand at a plant and eat it to the ground. I would suspect you might see a chicken suffer from that particular culinary indiscretion.

Thanks! This is all very good to know. I've never seen them eat any leaves. I've just noticed some nibbled fruit. They eat a lot when the kids feed them to them. We will give it a break and give them different treats for a while.

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

Thanks! This is all very good to know. I've never seen them eat any leaves. I've just noticed some nibbled fruit. They eat a lot when the kids feed them to them. We will give it a break and give them different treats for a while.

Tomato leaves are toxic to chickens. That’s why they don’t eat them.