Toxic Foods for Your Chickens: What You Need to Know for Their Well-Being

As a caring chicken owner, ensuring a healthy diet is crucial to ensuring the well-being of your precious birds. However, it is equally important to know which foods may be harmful to your chickens.

Here is an exhaustive list of foods to avoid at all costs:

1. Lawyer 🥑
Avocados are delicious for us, but the persin present in these fruits can be toxic to chickens. It can cause heart dysfunction and unfortunately the death of your hen within 48 hours. Avoid giving them avocados to prevent any problems.

2. Green Potatoes 🥔
The green parts of potatoes contain solanine, a toxic substance. Make sure the potatoes given to the chickens are well cooked and free of green parts.

3. Green Tomatoes 🍅
Green tomatoes also contain solanine. Make sure only ripe tomatoes are included in your chickens' diet.

4. Rhubarb 🌿
Although rhubarb stalks can be eaten in moderation, the leaves contain oxalic acid, making them toxic to chickens.

5. Eggplants (Plants of the Solanaceae Family) 🍆
Plants in the nightshade family, including eggplants, contain toxic substances that can harm the health of chickens.

6. Tomato Leaves 🍃
Tomato leaves contain tomatine, a substance potentially harmful to chickens. Limit your chickens' access to these leaves.

7. Raw Fish 🐟
Raw fish can cause digestive problems and infections in chickens. It is best not to include raw fish in their diet.

8. Salt 🧂
Excessive salt consumption can be harmful to chickens. Be sure to maintain a proper balance in their diet.

9. Chocolate 🍫
Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to birds. Avoid giving chocolate to your chickens.

10. Alcohol 🍷
Alcohol is extremely toxic to chickens. Make sure they never have access to it.

11. Onions and Garlic 🧅
These foods can cause hematological problems in chickens. Avoid including them in their diet.

12. Caffeine ☕
Caffeine, found in coffee and tea, can be toxic in large quantities. Avoid giving your chickens caffeinated drinks.

13. Wild Mushrooms 🍄
Some wild mushrooms can be toxic to chickens. Avoid giving them wild-picked mushrooms.

14. Excess Salty or Sweet Foods 🍬
Excess salt or sugar can cause health problems in chickens. Maintain a proper balance in their diet.

By knowing and avoiding these foods, you will help keep your chickens healthy and happy. Also be sure to provide a balanced diet and consult an avian veterinarian if you have any doubts or symptoms of toxicity.

Feed your chickens carefully so that they can provide you with healthy eggs and feathers!

Source: Veterinarian https://www.vetovernier.ch/alimentation-toxiques-chez-les-poules