Toots Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 Hi all, We have just got back from the vet with a chicken who had to be operated on to remove a whole, solid, fermenting grape from her crop. apart from the warning about not frrding whole grapes i am writing to warn you about what the vet told us. he is an avian vet and explained that grapes are mildly toxic and this can build up in a chickens system causing kidney problems. I personally am going to take his advice and prevent a conjunction between chickens and grapes (parrots are fine though) I just thought i should let you know to make up your own minds. Toots! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debby Tutton Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 Same prob with dogs (not that they get stuck in the crop but they are poisonous). We have grapevines and the dog eats the leaves but not the grapes (interesting). Fortunately the girls are on the oposite side of the house normally but I will keep them clear when they free range, thanks for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 thank you so much for the warning. I don't buy grapes for the chickens, but if I have some soft ones or ones that are a bit old I often use them as treats. I had no idea this could be a problem, given some of the stuff they eat whole it never occurred to me that a grape could get stuck - and I didn't know they were toxic. Hope your chook recovers soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 Good grief Toots, that's a shocker! Hope your girl makes a good recovery Was the vet good? I'd be grateful for a PM with their details - just in case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 OOer what about raisins? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 Gosh I buy my girls 2-3 punnets a week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torrin Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 oh dear I give mine grapes aswell, thanks for the warning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 mine would be gutted without their grapes , but I will make sure if/when they get some that they are cut up smaller from now on. There are toxic things in the garden I am sure so I think in moderation they should be ok shouldn't they?.... well I hope so I best go buy a bulk supply of mealworms.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 I feed my lot grapes about three days a week but they do get cut up and I guess each chook gets about three grapes. Hope thats moderation enough. Best wishes to your chook Toots - hope she's feeling better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 Mine love grapes and although I cut them up, one does occasionally have trouble swallowing but didn't know about the toxin or kidney problems. Moderation then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toots Posted May 7, 2010 Author Share Posted May 7, 2010 he did say no raisins as well.. makes sense i suppose! there are plenty of other things my girls like so it shouldn't be too hard for them. one does run into the house straight to the fruit bowl though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 Wow, i give mine cut up grapes, all the time.. Ahhh.. Shame about your girl, i hope she's herself soon. thanks for the warning!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RRRisnewtochickens Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 It can take only 4 grapes to kill a small dog, thats how toxic they are to canines. Just thought I'd mention it in case chickens are on the same level. I hope your girl recovers fully very soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceychristie Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 Raisens? Blime, never knew they were toxic. Layers Mash only then, they're going to be happy with me. I can't afford to give them corn on the cobs anymore, so guess I'll have to find something else to give them Glad she's better Stacey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 It can take only 4 grapes to kill a small dog, thats how toxic they are to canines. Just thought I'd mention it in case chickens are on the same level. My small dog (jack russell cross) used to eat grapes all the time, and far more than 4 with no ill effects. He doesn't eat them anymore though (as they always go for the girls) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoxy Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 Thank you so much for posting...truly hope your girl gets well pdq In the past I have cut grapes in half to administer Flubenvet...it sticks very well...although last time I didn't have any grapes and used cucumber instead...and that is what I will use from now on I had no idea about the dangers of feeding grapes to chickens Very best wishes... Lou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 I read a posting somewhere about someone who had grapevines and they just help themselves all the time??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoopsie Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 Thanks for the warning! I shall moderate from now on. Good idea about the Flubenvet though - is that over a week? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hilda-and-evadne Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 It can take only 4 grapes to kill a small dog, thats how toxic they are to canines. Just thought I'd mention it in case chickens are on the same level. My small dog (jack russell cross) used to eat grapes all the time, and far more than 4 with no ill effects. He doesn't eat them anymore though (as they always go for the girls) Just to say my dog eats grapes, too, with no ill effect. And sultanas, raisins, etc although I only give him a few at a time. I do believe that eating a whole pound of dried fruit might be fatal to a dog but not just four (sultanas or grapes). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 Yes mine does too, but I understand the toxin can be higher in one grape than another, the labrador that stole 2 huge bunches out of my bowl, did not even have upset tum. and on the subject of toxicity a beagle recently stole approx one pound of chocolate eggs. She refused to part with the contents of her stomach despite almost 1 hour at vets (this being 1 hour + after eating. ) So activated charcoal and laxative for her. I have googled toxicity of grapes with chickens can't find anything, grape seed extract clearly not. as been tested.????????? clearly not immediately toxic to chooks or half the chooks on here would all be dead but might be an odd thing like the dogs???? or has anyone else "found" the info on this??? my 6 eat a punnet a week, and 3 hace a few chopped tho daily!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Ours like grapes, but I don't give them more than two each in a day. DH is naughty and gives them grapes when I say not to, and he doesn't chop them, which I usually do. I think they're OK in moderation, just not too many and not every day. I need to chop them for Megan as otherwise she tries to swallow them whole, the daft girl! The other two peck at them and eat them in nice little bits, so they should be fine without them chopped up. I buy a punnet a week, but we eat them too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henriette Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 I had no idea either that grapes were bad for chickens. I have never given mine any but they have certainly had left over fruit cake. Not too much though, as we are too greedy and there isn't often any surplus Do hope your poor little chook is OK now though Toots Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooker Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 So pleased I read that thankyou!! I preferencially give our joan raisins when shes feeling under the weather, because she always hoovers them up much faster than the others I consider them a special joan treat!! I'm probably making her 'under the weather'!! Warning headed, no more raisins for joan! thankyou! Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
