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#Post#: 665--------------------------------------------------
Items to avoid or limit giving your chickens
By: Kathy Rayner Date: March 25, 2018, 12:54 pm
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Foods Your Chickens Should Avoid
Chickens will eat just about anything you give them, but there
are some
things that aren’t good for them. Here’s a list of some things
that you
shouldn’t feed your chickens:
1. Raw, Dried or undercooked beans – Raw, or dry beans, contain
a
toxin called Phytohaemagglutinin which is toxin. It affects the
cell
membrane in regard to transport and permeability to proteins.
Illness will occur after eating as few as three or four beans
and will
progress very rapidly, can kill in a short amount of time.
Cooking
or sprouting the beans before serving them to chickens will kill
this
toxin. *Note: Red Kidney beans contain the highest amount of the
toxin, followed by White Kidney and Broad beans.
2. Avocado skin and pit – The pits and skins contain the toxin
Persin, which can be fatal to chickens. According to the Merck
Veterinary Manual: "Ingestion of avocado has been associated
with myocardial necrosis in mammals and birds. Ingestion has
been associated with toxicosis in animals; however leaves are
the
water deprivation-sodium ion intoxication. The small bodies of
chickens are not meant to ingest large amounts of salt. Chickens
can tolerate up to 0.25% salt in drinking water but are
susceptible
to salt poisoning when water intake is restricted.
3. Green or sprouted “white” potatoes (Nightshades) – They
contain a toxin called Solanine, which has pesticidal properties
and
affects the nervous system and causes gastrointestinal disorders
(it’s bad for both birds and people). The leaves and stems also
have
the toxin, so try to keep them off of your potato plants
(Note: Sweet potatoes are part of the morning glory family, not
the
nightshade family, and perfectly safe to feed to your chickens.)
4. Tomato, pepper and eggplant leaves - As members of the
nightshade family, they contain Solanine, just like potatoes, so
you
should try to keep your chickens off your plants. They can,
however, eat tomatoes, peppers and eggplants.
5. Salty foods – Foods containing large amounts of salt can lead
to a
condition known as salt poisoning, salt toxicity, hypernatremia,
or
water deprivation-sodium ion intoxication. The small bodies of
chickens are not meant to ingest large amounts of salt. Chickens
can tolerate up to 0.25% salt in drinking water but are
susceptible
to salt poisoning when water intake is restricted
6. Citrus – Some varieties of chickens can be very sensitive to
citrus.
Many believe it is a buildup of citric acid and vitamin C that
can
cause excessive feather plucking. Citrus is also thought to
interfere
with calcium absorption and contribute to thin-shelled and fewer
eggs, so don't feed citrus fruits regularly.
7. Onions – Onions contain a toxic substance called thiosulphate
that
destroys red blood cells. When excessive amounts are fed to
chickens, it can cause jaundice or anemia in your hens or even
death.
8. Raw eggs – Not because it’s bad for them but because they
might
like it!
9. Candy, chocolate, sugar – It’s bad on their digestive tract
and
chocolate especially contains a toxin called methylxanthines
theobromine and is poisonous to chickens and some other animals.
Chocolate is known to cause heart problems in birds which can
range from an irregular heartbeat to full cardiac arrest and
death
could happen very quickly - within 24 hours of eating the
chocolate.
10. Apple seeds – Apple seeds contain trace amounts of
Amygdalin, which, upon decomposition in the digestive
tract, can release cyanide which leads to an unpredictable and
potentially lethal toxicity that could kill your chicken.
Unpredictable because it depends on other factors… Such as
… empty stomach, seeds whole or cut, how much calcium is
in the crop… So, to be safe, just remove the seeds before
you feed apples to your flock.
11. Rhubarb -- the leaves are toxic to humans and animals and
the entire plant contains oxalic acid, which can lead to
soft-shelled
eggs and cause calcium deficiency. Prolonged exposure can lead
to
kidney failure.
12. Moldy foods – Some molds produce toxins and it's not
always possible to judge which molds are good and which are
toxic.
13. Greasy foods – They’re difficult for them to digest.
14. Dairy – Lactose acts as an irritant to the gastrointestinal
mucosa. Chickens aren’t able to efficiently digest more than
8grams lactose. Even small amounts will cause diarrhea.
15. Grass clippings and pulled weeds – Eating pieces that are
too big/long can lead to an impacted crop, so it’s best to let
them
forage for themselves.
16. Raw peanuts – As a member of the legume family, they
contain a trypsin inhibitor (trypsin is an enzyme that the
pancreas
makes to help the intestines absorb protein). Opinions are mixed
as
to whether they’re okay for chickens. So limit their intake.
17. Raw meat – It can carry parasites and diseases.
- Limit Asparagus – it is rumored to taint the taste of your
eggs
- Limit the iceberg lettuce you feed since it has very little
nutritional value
and can cause diarrhea in large amounts. Far better choices are
leafy greens
such as cabbage, kale and collards. Also limit spinach because
it can
interfere with calcium absorption.
- Limit the white rice, pasta and bread as they have very little
nutritional
value. Instead, whole wheat products are far more nutritious.
- Processed foods – Junk food isn’t good for you, and it isn’t
good for your
feathered friends either.
In moderation, most things won't hurt them - even most of those
listed
above. But, there is sometimes a fine line between what will be
beneficial and what won't, and what eventually will take its
toll on a
little chicken’s body.
 This list may not be all inclusive of foods that are
not good for your chickens. Please
do your research if you have any questions or concerns!
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